Western Grand Canyon, AZ - May 2012
Highlighting Havasupai Nation
The 2012 SEEDS Spring Field Trip took place from May 16th- 20th, 2012 in the Havasupai Nation located in Western Grand Canyon in Flagstaff, Arizona. The SEEDS program supported 17 undergraduate and graduate students as well as 1 alumnus, 1 chapter advisor, and 2 ESA staff members. The emphasis of the field trip was focused on water sustainability of the Colorado River Basin from a cultural and ecological perspective. The field trip exposed participants to all of the organic aspects the Havasupai Nation had to offer. The group explored the environment mostly by foot, hiking over 25 miles, to the Havasu Canyon and encountering waterfalls tall as 200’ at Havasu Falls. The group had the opportunity to learn how culture, history, and deep traditions are intertwined with the water from Havasupai elders from the Tilousi family. Rex Tilousi, a tribal elder, gave sight to the group about how the National Park Service was formed and what that meant for the Havasupai tribal land. Students learned the issue of reclaimed water on their sacred sites, the San Francisco Peaks, and became inspired because of the wisdom given by Tilousi. This field trip taught the participants the importance of speaking out for the plants and animals that do not have a voice on issues such as water sustainability, uranium mining, and climate change in the Havasupai Nation. Meeting Rex Tilousi as well as the other Native American speakers was considered by the group to be a deeply humbling and invigorating opportunity. Towards the end of this enriching experience, the participants had experienced the environment and culture of the Havasupai Nation that empowered them to brainstorm possible solutions addressing the issue of water sustainability in the Colorado River Basin. From this trip, participants saw first handed the importance to promote sustainability on tribal lands.
Supported by the Packard Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the field trip report.
South Central, New Mexico – October 2011
Highlighting the Jornada Basin LTER
The 2011 SEEDS Fall Field Trip took place from October 6 – 9, 2011 in south central New Mexico at the Jornada Experimental Range LTER. The SEEDS program supported 22 undergraduate students from 18 colleges and universities to participate in the fall field trip. The field trip theme was “making science accessible and relevant to society”. The group learned about the unique history of the Jornada LTER with both academic and government interests, which makes the focus of their research applied and connective in nature, informing global arid land management.
Students worked in groups to summarize a portion of each day of the field trip. Student groups gave lively presentations of their work on the final evening of the trip, and submitted written summaries which were compiled to create the field trip report found below. Our most memorable moment of this trip may have been the coyotes howling outside our tents each cold desert night.
Supported by the National Science Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the student field trip report.
Photos are also available! Click here.
Southeast, Florida - May 2011
Highlighting the Florida Everglades
The 2011 SEEDS Spring Field Trip took place from May 22nd – 26th, 2011 across southeast Florida in the Florida Everglades. The SEEDS Program supported 23 students from 16 colleges and universities from across the United States and Puerto Rico. The field trip themed “The Nation’s Largest Restoration Project,” gave the field trip participants a multidimensional perspective into this incredible ecological effort. During the trip students met with members of the Fish and Wildlife Services, the Seminole Tribe, ecologist from the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER site and professionals from Florida International University. It was a unique opportunity for students to explore their interests in ecology by learning more about the science, exploring career options, and seeing the practical applications of ecology. Students were given field notebooks and asked to keep journals. In addition to individual notes, groups of 5-6 students were responsible for writing various aspects of the trip, which was then edited and compiled to create the report. The report reflects the thoughts and voices of the students who participated in this trip.
Supported by the National Science Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the student field trip report.
Photos are also available! Click here.
Newcomb, New York - September, 2010
Highlighting Adirondack Ecological Center
The 2010 SEEDS Fall Field Trip took place from September 23-26, 2010 at the Adirondack Ecological Center in Newcomb, New York – in the heart of the 6 million acre park of the Adirondacks. The SEEDS Program supported 23 students from 18 universities from across the United States and Puerto Rico. The field trip theme was “Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Biocultural Conservation and Restoration and gave the field trip participants a unique inside perspective and insight into the importance of the theme in the world of ecology. Students were given field notebooks and asked to keep journals. In addition to individual notes, groups of 5-6 students were responsible for writing various aspects of the trip, which was then edited and compiled to create the report. The report reflects the voices of the students who attended the field trip.
Supported by the National Science Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the student field trip report
Photos are also available! Click here. For video footage from this trip, visit the video section on SEEDSNet!
Luquillo LTER, Puerto Rico – May, 2010
Highlighting El Verde Field Station (EVFS)
The 2010 SEEDS Spring Field Trip took place from May 23-27, 2010 at the El Verde Field Station in Rio Grande Puerto Rico. EVFS is located within El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, surrounded by tropical rainforests representative of many Caribbean island ecosystems. This field trip provided 21 students and 3 ESA staff members with the unique opportunity to explore the vastly differing ecosystems of Puerto Rico, from the Tropical Rainforests of El Yunque to the Dry Forests of Guanica, down to the sandy coasts of the Northeast Ecological Corridor and back up to Cloud Mountain. Students kept daily journals and reported on all the activities and events of the trip.
Supported by the National Science Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the student field trip report:
Photos are also available! Click here.
Pembroke, Virginia - Septermber 2009
Highlighting Mountain Lake Biological Station
From September 16 – 20, 2009, 22 Students, 2 faculty, 1 SEEDS Alumni and 2 SEEDS Staff took part in a SEEDS Field Trip to the Mountain Lake Biological Stations in Pembroke, Virginia. During the field trip students toured MLBS and the surrounding Appalachian Mountains, met with faculty from the University of Virginia, MLBS staff, research ecologists, learned about the research being conducted at MLBS, participated in an art workshop lead by a botanical artist, attended a career panel.
The students were required to keep a daily journal of their experiences and to work collaboratively on the SEEDS field trip report.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
Field journals donated by Ben Meadows Company.
To learn more about the field trip, read the field trip report:
MLBS Report.pdfPhotos are also available, click here.
Gothic, Colorado – June, 2009
Highlighting Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL)
The 2009 SEEDS Spring Field Trip took place from June 7-13, 2009 at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver. The location of this field trip was about 9,500 feet above sea level. This field trip provided a unique opportunity for 18 students, one SEEDS staff person, and one SEEDS Chapter Advisor to learn from, and hopefully contribute to, high elevation scientific research programs taking place at the research station. Participants interacted with 12 scientists, graduate students, an author, and a museum curator at RMBL and in the nearby town in Crested Butte CO.
Students were also required to keep a daily journal of their experiences and to work collaboratively on the SEEDS field trip report.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
Field journals donated by Ben Meadows Company.
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report.
Petersham, Massachusetts – October 2008
Highlighting Harvard University’s Harvard Forest LTER
From October 16-19, 2008 19 students, 2 faculty and 2 SEEDS Staff took part in a SEEDS Field Trip to Harvard Forest LTER in Petersham, Massachusetts. During the field trip students toured Harvard Forest; met with faculty, staff, and graduate students; learned about the research being conducted; participated in a creative non-fiction writing workshop; participated in a statistics workshop, attended a career panel; and visited nearby Historic Deerfield.
Students were also required to keep a daily journal of their experiences and to work collaboratively on the SEEDS field trip report.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
Field journals donated by Ben Meadows Company.
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report.
Photos are also available, click here. To view a video clip of the field trip, click here
Fairbanks, Alaska - May 2008
Highlighting the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Bonanza Creek LTER
From
May 25-31, 2008 19 students, 2 faculty and 2 SEEDS Staff took part in a SEEDS
Field Trip to Bonanza Creek LTER in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Bonanza Creek LTER
focuses on research on boreal forests. Within the context of the International
Polar Year, the activities and discussions during the field trip centered
around the effects of climate change in Alaska. Students had the opportunity to
engage with researchers and Native Alaskans through field work and formal
presentations. During the field trip, students also toured Alaskan boreal
forests, muskegs and wetlands, and the floodplains of the Tanana River.
Students conducted ecological investigations, and presented their results on the
effects of fires in Alaska. In addition, students participated in Athabascan
cultural activities and learned about the effects of climate change on Alaskan
Natives. Additionally, artistic expression was incorporated into the field trip
to encourage creative thinking.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
Field journals donated by Ben Meadows Company.
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report. Photos are also available in the Field Trip Photo Album, found here.
Santa Barbara, California - October 2007
Highlighting the University of California Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
From October 25-28, 2007 SEEDS sponsored a student field trip to Santa Barbara, CA, highlighting the research of the University of California- Santa Barbara's Coastal LTER. Attendees included twenty two students from nineteen schools across the country, three SEEDS faculty, and five SEEDS staff.
Faculty and graduate students from UCSB exposed students to the research being conducted at the LTER. The kelp forest ecosystem was the focus of the first day. Students went on a boat ride to observe marine research on kelp forests. Various types of watersheds and methods to monitor them were the focus of the second day. Through various speakers, students also learned about the history of fisheries and indigenous people inhabiting the Santa Barbara coastal areas.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
To learn more about the field trip, read the
Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Chiapas, Mexie 2007
Highlighting ECOSUR
co - Jun
The Spring 2007 SEEDS student field trip was held June 1-8 in Chiapas, Mexico, highlighting the research of ecologists at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) on the campus of San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Twenty two participants from across the US spent an unforgettable week traveling a great portion of the biologically and culturally diverse southernmost state of Mexico. The goal of the field trip was the same as all SEEDS activities – to encourage and support a widely diverse group of students to become ecologists and offer their rich perspectives to the profession. Eight ecologists of ECOSUR and over 30 community members from across the state of Chiapas volunteered their time to help SEEDS plan and carry out the field trip. They helped us exceed our goal of stimulating student interest in ecology by offering such a unique perspective on ecology in a region where land is so precious as to have started a revolution over a decade ago.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album.
Athens, Georgia and Otto, North Carolina - November 2006
Highlighting the University of Georgia / Coweeta LTER
From November 2-5, 2006 SEEDS sponsored a student field trip to Georgia and North Carolina, highlighting the research of the Coweeta LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) program. Attendees included seventeen students from twelve schools across the country, two SEEDS Chapter faculty, and two staff from the Ecological Society of America.
Many activities took place during the field trip. Participants met with a number of people from the University of Georgia’s Institute of Ecology and graduate school. Participants were also given a tour of the Institute. Participants then traveled from Athens, Georgia to Otto, North Carolina to learn about the ecological research being done at the Coweeta LTER. The field trip also offered an opportunity for cultural enrichment with a stop to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
To learn more about the field trip, read the
Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Konza Prairie - June 2006
Highlighting the Konza Prairie LTER Project
From June 4-9, 2006 SEEDS conducted a student field trip to various sites in Kansas. Attendees included nineteen students from sixteen schools across the country, including the territories of American Samoa and Puerto Rico; one SEEDS faculty from Yale University; and three SEEDS staff from the Ecological Society of America.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
To learn more about the field trip, read the
Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Albuquerque, New Mexico - November 2005
Highlighting the Sevilleta LTER Project
From November 10-13, 2005 SEEDS sponsored a student field trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, highlighting the research of the Sevilleta LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Project. Attendees included twenty- five students from sixteen schools across the country, four SEEDS Chapter faculty, and two SEEDS staff from the Ecological Society of America.
Ecologists from the University of New Mexico, Sevilleta LTER, and Arizona State University exposed students to research being conducted at several sites in New Mexico including the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands and shrublands of the south, the Great Plains grasslands to the north, Piñon-Juniper woodlands in the upper elevations of the neighboring mountains, Colorado Plateau shrub-steppe to the west, and riparian vegetation along the middle Rio Grande Valley.
Supported by the National Science Foundation.
To learn more about the field trip, read the
Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Pellston, Michigan - June 2005
Highlighting the University of Michigan Biological Station
From June 12-18, 2005 SEEDS sponsored a student field trip to Pellston, Michigan, highlighting the research of the University of Michigan's Biological Station (UMBS). Attendees included eighteen students from twelve schools across the country, three SEEDS faculty, and three SEEDS staff.
Faculty and students from UMBS exposed students to the research being conducted at several sites in northern Michigan including foersts, wetlands, and lakes. Research included small mammals, limnology, ethnobotany, and biogeochemistry.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the
Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Lafayette, Louisiana - November 2004
Highlighting the USGS National Wetlands Resource Center
From November 18 - 21, 2004 SEEDS supported a student field trip to Lafayette, Louisiana, highlighting the research of the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Wetlands Research Center. Attendees included nineteen students from fourteen schools across the country, three SEEDS staff, and two faculty mentors.
Ecologists from the National Wetlands Research Center exposed students to the research being conducted at several sites in south Louisiana including a prairie, marsh, and swamp. The research focus varied from prairie succession, to wildlife (nutria), to swamp sedimentation.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the
Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
View a slide show of the field trip!
To view the slideshow in PowerPoint with notes, click on the link and save the file to your computer. The file will then open in PowerPoint.
Calgary, Canada - June 2004
Highlighting the University of Calgary Kananaskis Field Stations
On June 5-11, 2004 SEEDS supported a student field trip to Calgary, Canada highlighting the University of Calgary Kananaskis Field Stations. Attendees included twenty students from seventeen schools and two SEEDS faculty.
The first full day of the field trip was spent in Calgary where students learned about Calgary’s water and the conservation biology program and animal health at the Calgary Zoo. The remainder of the field trip was spent at the Kananaskis Field Stations, meeting with a variety of researchers in the area. The final day of the field trip was spent at Kootenay National Park and the Athabasca Glacier and concluded with dinner and sightseeing in the town of Banff.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Baltimore, Maryland & Washington DC - November 2003
Highlighting the Baltimore Ecosystem Study
On November 6-9, 2003 SEEDS supported a student field trip to Baltimore, Maryland and Washington DC, highlighting the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) of the Long Term Ecological Research Network and other local sites including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
Attendees included twenty-five students from seventeen schools and three SEEDS faculty.
The first day of the field trip was spent in Washington DC where students learned about graduate school opportunities and environmental justice at the EPA Headquarters. The second half of the day was spent at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History where a career luncheon panel was held followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum. The day concluded with dinner and music at the Jazz Café in the Museum. The second day of the field trip was spent at various sites of the BES ending with free time in Inner Harbor, Baltimore. On Sunday, the final day, the morning was spent at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Northern California - June 2003
Highlighting the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve of Stanford University
SEEDS sponsored a student field trip in June 2003 to Northern California highlighting Stanford University’s Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve and other local ecological sites including the Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, the Marine Science Institute, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Plant Gene Expression Center of the University of California and the United States Department of Agriculture. Attendees included seventeen students from ten schools, three SEEDS faculty, three staff from the Ecological Society of America, and one participant from the All Nations Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
The first two days of the field trip were spent at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve where participants hiked through several of the ecosystems in the Preserve, conducted a biotic creek survey, and learned about some of the research being done in the Preserve. The third day participants visited the UC Berkeley/USDA Plant Gene Expression Center where students learned about some of the Center’s research. The visit to the Center was followed by some free time around the UC Berkeley campus and San Francisco. The last two days of the field trip offered an opportunity to learn more about marine ecosystems. On Thursday, participants visited the Hopkins Marine Station and the neighboring Monterey Bay Aquarium. The last day of the field trip, participants visited the Marine Science Institute.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report or look at photos in the Field Trip Photo Album
Eastern Tennessee - November 2002
Highlighting the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
SEEDS sponsored a second student field trip in November 2002 to Eastern Tennessee. Sixteen students from thirteen schools, three SEEDS faculty, and three ESA staff participated in the event.
The first day was spent at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory with an emphasis on the work of the Environmental Sciences Division. Participants met with scientists at the sites of the Throughfall Displacement Experiment which seeks to understand the response of forest ecosystems to changes in precipitation that may result from a warming global climate and the Free-air Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Enrichment (FACE) Study which tries to better understand how a closed-canopy forest, both above and below ground, will respond to long-term CO2 enrichment.
The second day was spent at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where Dr. Robert Keller, a researcher and faculty from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, shared his research on small mammals in the park. Participants also met with park rangers to learn about the cultural history and the rich biodiversity of the Smokies. Despite the rainy conditions, participants enjoyed hikes on the Elkmont Nature Trail and to Clingman’s Dome, the highest elevation in the park.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report.
Eastern Tennessee - April 2001
Highlighting the Oak Ridge National Laboaratory and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
SEEDS sponsored its first student field trip in April 2001 to Eastern Tennessee.
Twenty-two students from eight SEEDS schools, four SEEDS faculty, and two program coordinators participated. Participants visited Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Friday, April 20, 2001 where they learned more about the Environmental Sciences Division, participated in a highly informative panel discussion, and toured the Environmental Safety Health and Quality labs. The following day participants traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where they learned about an ecologist’s research in the park and park management issues from a veteran park ranger.
In addition to participating in scheduled activities, some students also enjoyed a hike to an impressive waterfall (Laurel Falls), a shopping excursion in Gatlinburg, and a marshmallow roast at an evening campfire in celebration of Earth Day.
Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
To learn more about the field trip, read the Field Trip Report.
