SEEDS » Component Programs » Chapters » Chapter Directory » Oregon State University
"OSU SEEDS Chapter" >> Corvallis, Oregon
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The objectives of the Oregon State University SEEDS Ecology chapter are to encourage the participation of students of all backgrounds, particularly of those of underrepresented groups, in ecology and related fields. The student chapter will act as a source of support and encouragement to those students pursuing careers in science and who may share struggles related to cultural differences, and lack of familial support. Additionally, the chapter aims to promote awareness of local and global ecological issues while incorporating outreach within the community. Students will participate in activities, such as field trips and research projects, which will benefit their personal, professional, and academic development. OSU's SEEDS Eco Club website: http://oregonstate.edu/groups/ecoclub/ |
Plans for 2009-2010
- For the 2009-2010 we hope to continue working with The Nature Conservancy of Oregon. Also, we hope to participate in more activities that reach out to the community such as OSU Discovery Days. We plan on organizing 2-3 major events during each term. Ideally, we would have a field trip, outreach event, and professional development events. Currently, we have no specific details for dates or locations. As far as funding, the OSU student involvement department will make funds available to our club given that we would have been active as student group for a year. This funding will be used to purchase refreshments to attract students to our meetings and/or events. Additionally, we also plan to develop fundraising activities and to apply for the SEEDS special project grant.
Activities of 2008-2009
- The 2008-2009 year was the first for the OSU Ecology Club. Beginning in the fall term we focused our efforts in recruiting, and organizing events to support the SEEDS mission. For our first official event, we had a table at an on campus ecology research symposium. We presented a display that introduced our club to the university and explained our mission. We also presented a poster highlighting the SEEDS Alaska field trip research in which some members of the club participated. To boost recruitment efforts we created a website for the OSU ecology club, as well as a mailing list. As a result, our membership grew and interest in the club was expressed by members of the OSU community.
- Our first official field trip took place during the winter term. We organized a brief outing that was led by an ecologist from The Nature Conservancy of Oregon. Six students participated in this activity, most of which are now officers for the club. Earlier in the term we organized a CV/resume workshop that was attended by about 12 students. The workshop was led by Instructor Dana Sanchez. During the remainder of the winter term we focused our efforts in recruiting and planning for the spring as well as the 2009-2010 school year. We have sought to collaborate with other student groups, such as the life Sciences Club, as well.
- In the spring term we were fortunate to have a table at OSU’s Earth Day event, which led to the recruitment of more students, as well as promotion of our club. We took the opportunity to promote an upcoming field trip to the Sandy River Gorge, one of the oldest river in Oregon and the site of old growth Douglas Fir stands. Thanks to the SEEDS chapter maintenance grant we were able to secure a van to transport 12 students to the site. This field trip will be led by The Nature Conservancy of Oregon. Other activities for the spring term include an outreach event at the OSU Discovery Days. Members of the club will do outreach with local community youth and the general public. We will have a table with science education activities for elementary school children. Lastly, the OSU Ecology Club is in the process of organizing collaborations with the Math Club and a graduate student organization that seeks to raise awareness of global climate change. So far we are working to promote the use of math in ecology as illustrated by the research conducted at the OSU Andrews LTER.
- We forgot to include in the SEEDS Chapter Annual Report that the Discovery Days event that we will participate in on Tuesday, May 5th serves as a fundraiser as well as an outreach event.
The OSU Ecology Club will get $150, which will go towards events next school year.
Faculty Advisors
- Tiffany Garcia
- Dana Sanchez
