Digital Commons Network^™

The Voice Of Iceland: Communication Of Climate Science Through Choral Music, Jason Fox

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

As the environmental sciences expand with the intent to more fully analyze and understand human interactions with the environment in a time of rapid environmental change, a need has arisen to more widely communicate new environmental knowledge with the public; however, environmental communication efforts often fail to capture the interest of audiences in relatable, emotional ways. This research constitutes an exploratory evaluation of the potential of choral music to effectively communicate climate change to musical audiences using Iceland as a geographic backdrop. Based on the author’s own experiences regarding climate change in Iceland, a three-movement original choral composition Icelandic Sketches: …

Ursinus Magazine, Spring / Summer 2018, Brock Blomberg, Ed Moorhouse, Mary Lobo, Jennifer Meininger Wolfe, Johannes Karreth, S. Ross Doughty, Herb Smith

Ursinus Magazine, 1995–Present

Ursinus Fulbright Fellow • The Tenth Soldier • Researching changing landscapes • Social justice through spirituality • Building on a legacy • Getting to know: Rebecca Roberts • Office space • Uniting nations • The humanitarian • The road less traveled: In search of the green Buddha • Can we prevent civil wars? • Anatomy of the perfect pitch • Lost and found • Alumni Weekend • Commencement • Class notes • Births • Deaths • Weddings • Alumni Awards • Remembrance of professors past: An appreciation of our mentors

A Phenomenological Study: The Quest For God In An Epoch Of Distraction, Todd Marcy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Distraction happens to everyone at some point in time. Diverted attention while driving can have serious consequences, and being sidetracked while talking on the cellphone can cause one to forget where the car keys were laid down at home. Distraction at church during a worship service can affect one’s relationship with God and others. Personal motivations, pre-existing conditions, and duration of time contribute to how a person will interact with a disturbance of attention; likewise, factors of biology, technology, values, and mores can influence the power of partial attention. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine the lived …

Foreword: Private, Environmental, Governance, Joshua Ulan Galperin

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This essay is the invited foreword to the 2017 J.B & Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Symposium issue of the George Washington Journal of Energy and Environmental Law. The 2017 symposium was dedicated to the issue of private environmental governance. This essay recognizes the incredible growth of private environmental governance as an area of study in the legal academy. In addition to introducing the various contributions to the symposium issue, this essay proposes that rather than merely studying "private environmental governance" as an independent concept, scholars should look closely at the individual components, "private," "environmental," and "governance," to better understand …

Elucidation Of The Toxicity Of Anthropogenic Nanoparticles In Environments Containing Heavy Metals, Chartanay Bonner

Dissertations

The design, synthesis, and applications of anthropogenic nanoparticles continue to rise as technologies utilizing the unique chemical and physical properties of materials with nanoscale dimensions emerge. Engineered silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) possess antimicrobial properties toward several strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The manufacturing and use of Ag NPs have led to their increased presence in the environment as pollutants. The interaction of Ag NPs with other pollutants influence their surface properties, aggregation state, stability and consequently, their toxic response toward microbial pathogens. In the present study, we examined the interaction of heavy metal ions (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and …

Library Perspectives, Issue 58, Spring 2018, Friends Of The Oberlin College Libraries

Library Perspectives Newsletter

This issue includes items about Meredith Evans, the Archives and Project STAND (STudent Activism Now Documented), peace posters created by students at Iran's Shiraz University of Arts, and much more.

Montanan, Spring 2018, University Of Montana--Missoula

Montanan Magazine, 1969-2024

This is the magazine of the University of Montana with news about the University for UM alumni as well as current faculty, students, staff, and administrators. This is volume 35, number 2.

The Impacts Of Social Networking Service On The Sense Of Place Among International Students At The University Of Richmond, Joora Baek

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

Mass media are known for distracting people from their works; however, they are also crucial methods to practice sense of place and sense of belonging in the modern society. The use of smartphones and internet has dramatically changed the way of building relationship and self-identification, especially among young generation. This research is focusing on Social Networking Services (SNSs), which has been the most popular and efficient networking system since late 20th century, to study young generation’s behavior patterns. This study will demonstrate how international students at the University of Richmond experience the presence of home in spite of the absence …

Pragmatism, Pragtivism, And Private Environmental Governance, Joshua Ulan Galperin

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This essay is an edited version of a talk presented at the 2017 J.B. & Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Symposium on Private Environmental Governance at the George Washington University. It is adapted from a longer article entitled Trust Me, I’m A Pragmatist: A Partially Pragmatic Critique of Pragmatic Activism, in 42 Colum. J. Envtl. L. 425 (2017).

Effects Of Beaver Dams On Urban Stream Hydraulic Response During Storm Events, Erin Poor

Environmental Science and Management Professional Master's Project Reports

Urbanization of landscapes alters watershed hydrology, leading to changes in the natural flow regime of local streams. Runoff from impervious surfaces and routing of stormwater can cause a rapid increase in the volume and velocity of streamflow. This is observed in the hydrograph as a steep rising limb, followed by a high peak, and a rapid falling limb. This rapidly varying streamflow, often referred to as flashiness, can increase erosive forces on the channel bed and banks, leading to channel incision and bank erosion. In areas where the hydrologic regime is less impacted by humans, beaver dams and ponds attenuate …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Restoration Treatments To Enhance Oregon White Oak Systems Within The Klickitat River Watershed, Kara Caselas

Environmental Science and Management Professional Master's Project Reports

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryanna) and associated plant communities provide key habitat to a number of plant and animal species, including Washington state listed threatened populations of Western grey squirrel. Over the past 150 years, human actions such as logging, fire suppression and grazing have altered stand structure and species composition of oak systems, reducing the extent and quality of historic Oregon white oak habitat. Oregon white oak and associated habitats are common in Klickitat County, which has one of the largest remaining acreages of Oregon white oak systems in the state of Washington. While most oak systems …

Constructing Social Environments: The Evolving Relationship Between Uses And Management Of Urban Greenspace In Stone Town, Zanzibar, Mara Basich-Pease

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm for urban greenspaces throughout the Global North, discussion around parks in the developing world has scarcely been met with the same vigor. This study aims to bring attention to the unique aspects and strengths of urban greenspaces in East Africa, as well as the ways in which these spaces can be improved. The history, use, and management of greenspace was examined through literature review, observation, and interview. The historical and cultural significance of greenspace throughout Stone Town was found to both influence and run contrary to the current uses. Management of greenspace was convoluted and inefficient …

A Disappearing Island: An Impact Assessment Of Coastal Erosion On The Mnemba Island House Reef, Zanzibar, Kat Grellman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Sedimentation is one of the greatest threats reefs face today due to climate changeinduced sea level rise. Mnemba Island has experienced rampant coastal erosion as a combined result of global processes and local anthropogenic impacts, which has in turn caused severe reef degradation. The house reef was surveyed over a 3-week period to determine the amount of sediment deposited on the reef and the impact of this sedimentation on coral reef health. Sediment traps were deployed to measure the sediment flux rate. The line-intercept transect method was used to measure the benthos cover of the reef and point-transect method was …

Conservation Coverage: An Assessment Of The Protection Of Highly Threatened Species Of Birds And Mammals In Tanzania, Adolfo Castro Domínguez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

43 species of birds and mammals are either critically endangered or endangered within Tanzania. Compromised to halt the rapid loss of biodiversity, the Tanzanian government, several non-governmental organizations, government agencies and zoological institutions are attempting to preserve these highly-threatened species. This project assesses the current state of conservation for those species by: 1) diagnosing their captive populations in Tanzania, through visits to zoological institutions in the country and in a global scale by using ZIMS, a global database for zoos and aquariums. 2) determining the protected areas in which the species are found by overlapping distribution maps with protected areas …

Selection Perception: Views On The Theory Of Evolution Among Residents Of Moshi, Tanzania, Robin Waterman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The theory of evolution is a major tenet of biological science and has many practical applications, particularly in agriculture, medicine, and conservation. Nevertheless, there is significant opposition to the theory and its incorporation into school curricula, largely on religious grounds. This disconnect between public opinion and scientific opinion has been studied at length in the US and to some extent in other industrialized nations, but little is known about the issue in other communities around the world. This paper will use the town of Moshi, Tanzania as a case study in community views and knowledge about the theory of evolution. …

Avian Diversity And Abundance In Three Different Vegetative Landscapes Around A Shade-Grown Coffee Plantation On Mount Totumas, Chiriquí Highlands, Panamá, Samantha Myers

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Agricultura sostenible, como la agroforestería de café, tiene el potencial de conservar la biodiversidad local de muchos taxones. A pesar de los servicios beneficiosos como el control de plagas y la polinización que las aves pueden proporcionar, el grado en que el café sombrado promueva la biodiversidad de aves aún no se ha analizado completamente. El propósito de esta investigación fue para determinar si la biodiversidad y la abundancia de aves varían en áreas con diferente cobertura de vegetación y sombra alrededor de un cafetal de sombra. Se realizaron análisis vegetativos y se registraron las abundancias de las especies durante …

Tourism In Iceland: Individual Carbon Footprint And The Potential To Be Carbon Neutral, Ange-Elise Venet

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

World population has increased decade after decade and tourism is following the same trend. Tourism in Iceland is no exception, expanding each year. Most human actions have adverse effects on the planet, including travel. As traveling amongst humans increases so will tourism emissions. It is important to be aware of the impacts our actions have and the options available to make it better. Since carbon emissions for travelers are inevitable, this research has calculated the cost of offsetting those emissions through afforestation in Iceland. Most imagine a heavy financial burden to offset emissions but in reality, most visitors would only …

Ethically Sourced Vanilla: Certifications In The Production Of Vanilla In The Sava Region Of Madagascar, Maisie Campbell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Vanilla is an orchid whose beans are harvested after ten months on the vine. About eighty percent of the world’s vanilla is produced in Madagascar and the SAVA region is the capital of vanilla production within the country. The changing demand of vanilla, damage from cyclones, and the three-year development of the vanilla plants before they begin producing beans causes a boom and bust cycle of prices of vanilla. Some organizations have tried to ameliorate the problems these cycles and low prices pose to vanilla farmers by creating certifications for companies that promise that they will not pay less than …

April 2018 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Effective Methods For Using Live Animals For Instruction In Environmental Education, Jenna Moon

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project explored the research question, what are the most effective methods for using live animals for instruction in environmental education? The author pinpointed recommendations for effective environmental education and live animal education through the literature review, which guided the construction of interpretive-style bird of prey programs for use at a residential environmental learning center. Digital slides and accompanying scripts were designed for three new programs, each one-hour in length: RaptorPHYSICS, RaptorCARE, and RaptorFORCE. The presence of a live bird of prey is intended to create an emotional connection and program content aims to empower audience members to display …

What Are The Elements Of A Strong Rationale To Support The Development And Creation Of A Rain Garden In My School District?, Amanda Sterna

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, “What are the Elements of a Strong Rationale to Support the Development and Creation of a Rain Garden in my School District?” It documents a teacher’s proposal for a rain garden at an elementary school, for both environmental purposes as well as for an outdoor classroom space. The capstone encompasses all aspects needed to create a proposal, including (add details here about the different sections/aspects it includes, such as a clear design process,). The researcher documents the details of the proposal process, complete with the project design with related research literature to …

Inquiry-Based Professional Development: How Did The Activities In The Mississippi Rivers Institute Affect Participant Confidence In Teaching Environmental Education?, Sara Robertson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how did the activities in the Mississippi Rivers Institute affect participant confidence in teaching environmental education? These areas were: (a) river and watershed inquiry; (b) use of science notebooks in the classroom; (c) forest inquiry; (d) macroinvertebrate inquiry; (e) geology inquiry; (f) engineering activities; and (g) an overall comfort-ability level with using inquiry in the classroom. It documents the creation of the Rivers Institute as an effective professional development opportunity for educators. The author reviews the literature available on the best practices in environmental education professional development and she describes the success …

Developing A Business Model For An All-Day Nature-Based Preschool In The Twin Cities Metro Area Of Minnesota, Hannah Gall

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, what is the best way to setup and implement a Waldkindergarten-inspired all-day nature based school for ages three to five in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota? The project focuses on the Waldkindergarten style of school in Western Europe and how this can be configured to the laws and weather patterns in the state of Minnesota. It focuses on the all-day aspect of this type of school, which is much less popular than a part-day program of this type due to the complexities and extra expenses of an all-day model. The …

Developing An Effective Proposal For A Natural Habitat Restoration In The School Yard, Byron Griffin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research questions addressed in this capstone are how does one prepare an effective proposal for restoring a natural ecosystem, and what are the benefits of the close proximity of natural habitats to students and other stakeholders? The author compiles research examining the positive aspects of having restored environments on the school campus. The author found that benefits of habitat restorations extend beyond only affecting the students, and reach out to the teachers, groundskeepers, district, the environment, and local community. In the capstone, the author provides a demonstration of a habitat restoration, and explains the process of a prairie ecosystem …

Power Dynamics Of The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests: An Environmental Justice Analysis, Brittany Bondi

Student Publications

The Dakota Access Pipeline and the events of the accompanying protests are contemporary examples of environmental injustice, with the Standing Rock Nation facing a majority of the injustice. Analyzing Sioux history, the pipeline's previous routes, and the police and state responses to the "protectors", I propose that the Dakota Access Pipeline is a form of distributive, procedural, and substantive injustice.

On The Use Of Unmanned Aerial Systems For Environmental Monitoring, Salvatore Manfreda, Matthew F. Mccabe, Pauline E. Miller, Richard Lucas, Victor Pajuelo Madrigal, Giorgos Mallinis, Eyal Ben Dor, David Helman, Lyndon Estes, Giuseppe Ciraolo, Jana Müllerová, Flavia Tauro, M. Isabel De Lima, João L.M.P. De Lima, Antonino Maltese, Felix Frances, Kelly Caylor, Marko Kohv, Matthew Perks, Guiomar Ruiz-Pérez, Zhongbo Su, Giulia Vico, Brigitta Toth

Geography

Environmental monitoring plays a central role in diagnosing climate and management impacts on natural and agricultural systems; enhancing the understanding of hydrological processes; optimizing the allocation and distribution of water resources; and assessing, forecasting, and even preventing natural disasters. Nowadays, most monitoring and data collection systems are based upon a combination of ground-based measurements, manned airborne sensors, and satellite observations. These data are utilized in describing both small- and large-scale processes, but have spatiotemporal constraints inherent to each respective collection system. Bridging the unique spatial and temporal divides that limit current monitoring platforms is key to improving our understanding of …

Producers' Opinions On What Makes Demonstrations Effective, Brian J. Macgowan, Ajay S. Singh, Bryan Overstreet, Michael O'Donnell

Journal of Extension

Despite the widespread and long-standing use of demonstration sites in Extension, there is little empirical evidence to inform how best to design them. We report data from 513 producers in three regions of Indiana whom we surveyed about sources of information for farm management decisions, the usefulness of demonstrations, and preferences and factors that influence their attendance at demonstrations. In general, respondents had positive opinions about demonstration events and high levels of agreement regarding their usefulness. Lack of awareness of demonstrations was the greatest single factor leading to nonattendance. We provide recommendations for organizing demonstration events based on the preferences …

Mount Carmel Jr./Sr. High School Greenhouse Curriculum And Maintenance Plan, Megan Ganning, Maddie Mulford, Andrew Podbielski, Brennan Sharkey

Coal Region Field Station Student Projects

The goal of the project presented in this report was to revitalize the greenhouse at the Mount Carmel Area Jr./Sr. High School in Mount Carmel, PA. The greenhouse had not been used since the early 2000s and it was in need of cleaning, maintenance, and planting before it could be used again. The school hoped for the greenhouse to be revived in order to benefit the students through hands-on course work, as well as various extracurricular activities in order to further engage the students in gardening and sustainability. Along with restoring the greenhouse, the group created curriculum materials for different …

Quest: Spring 2018, Lynn University

Quest Literary & Arts Journal

Quest: Lynn University Literary & Arts Journal

Statistical Analysis Of The Adoption Of Conservation Practices In Midwest And Great Plains Agriculture, Regan Gilmore, Karina Schoengold

UCARE: Research Products

Improving conservation in conventional agriculture is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural economies. The aim of this project is to identify factors correlated with agricultural producers adopting conservation practices on their land.

Producers tend to choose their tillage and cropping systems based on soil management and yield/productivity concerns. Reasons and concerns for using no-till vary by state. For example, producers in Iowa choosing their tillage system based on yield/productivity concerns are 9.8% less likely to use no-till, while producers in South Dakota with the same concerns are 21.5% more likely to use no-till.