SEEDS » Component Programs » Chapters » Chapter Directory » Florida Atlantic University
"SEEDS-FAU" » Boca Raton, Florida
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We would like SEEDS-FAU to be known for its diverse individuals who inspire and give back to the community through education, outreach, and environmental conservation. In this regard, we hope to promote the image of underrepresented minorities both in the community and at FAU. |
Activities of 2009-2010
In addition to participating in the SEEDS National Collegiate Bioblitz in 2010, and hosting the first annual Bioblitz at FAU, the chapter focused on recruitment, Community Outreach, Environmental Stewardship, K12 Classroom Education and participated in SEEDS Field Trips.
Plans for 2010-2011
SEEDS at FAU will continue to reach out and recruit underrepresented groups at FAU through marketing and classroom talks given by members. We plan on continuing our communication with the elementary schools that attended our first Bioblitz and plan on hosting day-time events for those students, leading groups into local county parks, and providing classroom visits/talks. This past semester we made contact with Archbold Biological Station in Kissimmee, FL and we are trying to set up a field trip with possible networking for internships at the research station. Although we have network opportunities through SEEDSNET, we believe we need to work on providing more networking opportunities for our members, which is something that will be a focus for the spring semester. We have planned to conduct a Bioblitz in the fall semester, without an outreach component, in order to improve our data sampling methods from the previous bioblitz. This of course will lead us into the annual Bioblitz in the spring time with education & outreach components.
The main project for the upcoming academic year, SEEDS members will be continuing the Gopher Tortoise population survey and investigation the habitat suitability of the Ecological Preserve. We have received a permit from Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission to conduct a mark – recapture study of the Gopher Tortoise population. We also plan to conduct camera surveys of the many burrows on the Preserve site. We hope the camera scope will provide footage similar to the footage captured by David Attenborough in a similar investigation (http://sciencestage.com/v/5489/attenborough-the-wonder-of-the-tortoise-tunnel-bbc-wildlife.html). SEEDS members will be able to learn more about Scrub habitat ecology, gaining experience in field methods and techniques, while working with FWC officials and faculty.
Faculty Advisors
- Evelyn Frazier
- Diane Owen
