Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Sustainability Hub Newsletter - December 2022, Jacqueline Jergensen, Neyda Gilman, Jennifer Embree

Library Sustainability Resources

In our last issue of the year, read about how to get involved with sustainability focused student groups, the Reclaiming Turtle Island documentary featuring a local activist, food resources on campus, the Move Out Spring Internship, sustainable holiday tips, and other announcements!

Habitat Restoration Specialists Internship, Owen Donnelly

College of the Environment Internship Reports

primarily the removal of a range of invasive species within the Pacific Northwest. Most of the work was conducted within King County on a mixture of county and privately owned land.

Canopy Cover Of Sehome Aboretum, Liz Zimmerman

College of the Environment Internship Reports

visualizing and analyzing data, focused on the canopy cover of Sehome Hill Arboretum. Under the advisement of Rebecca Bunn, and assistance of Stefan Freelan, Dave Knutson, and the City of Bellingham, I was able to obtain spatial imaging and remote sensing data. Using the ArcGISPro application, I categorized tree cover in the Arboretum over multiple years, through both remote sensing and visual delineation methods.

Washington Conservation Corps, Annalise Hill

College of the Environment Internship Reports

help restore and preserve our natural habitats while also educating others about the environment.

Nw Avalance Ctr/Elk Habitat Restoration, Ryan Ruklik

College of the Environment Internship Reports

introduce junior high school students to snow science, including avalanche science, snow algae, and climate change in a fun and interactive way.

to help restore elk habitat in the highlands of the Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest in Idaho. This work came about due to a contract from RMEF to improve quaking aspen tree stands at high elevations.

Usfs Fire Crew Internship, Adriano De Olivera

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Wildfire has been an integral part of Western ecosystems for millennia. Lightning has and still does start most wildfires here in Washington. This sort of disturbance regime is natural, and important to resetting the biological stagnation of our ecosystems. When disturbances occur in a natural, infrequent matter, it promotes competition and biologic diversity within an ecosystem (Urban In Prep). Creatures and plants have evolved against this selective pressure, but things have changed. During the 20th century, the USFS ramped up its wildfire suppression efforts in response to an increase in activity due to the heavy logging during this era,

Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group Riparian Restoration Intern, Connor Garrod

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Help ensure success of riparian restoration efforts in the Skagit River Basin.

North Sounds Baykeeper Intern - Resources, Shelby Johnson

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This internship involved pollution patrols, water sampling, stormwater monitoring, intertidal surveys, and beach cleanups. My educational goals for this internship included learning about water quality, data quantification, data management,
choosing and conducting surveys, and community outreach.

Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Internship, Devon Bedard

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This internship program is designed to engage visitors of Deception Pass State Park through
informal interpretation as well as provide accessible knowledge of the local ecology and natural
history. A fundamental goal of the program as well as Marine stewardship and this is
accomplished through community engagement, educational opportunities, and active restoration
efforts in the Rosario tide pools

Gonatives! Research Internship, Miles Hyland

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This project focused on the relationship between soil biota, such as mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms, and the success of native plants grown in landscaped settings. In particular, we hoped to obtain data which might describe the mycorrhizal associations formed by target species, as well as their growth response to the introduction of native soil biota. This work will improve our understanding of how to grow certain plants, such as sea thrift (A.
maritima), that have proven difficult to maintain in native plant gardens and nurseries. My roles within this project were wide ranging, and included responsibilities such as …

Us Forest Service Intern, Kathleen Castleberry

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The main purpose of my work and the goal of the Forest Service, is to serve the people. That meant that I did what most benefited the public, protected the natural environment, and educated its visitors.

Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Baker And Shannon Lake Nutrient Analysis, Kiley Carrigan

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe (USIT) is pursuing the idea of fertilizing both Baker and Shannon Lake in Concrete, WA with the intention to enhance salmon production. Before inputting nutrients into the limnological systems, baseline data must be established to determine the current amount of nutrients within the lakes. The USIT has been contracting with the Institute of Watershed Studies’ lab to analyze water samples for this project.

Integrating And Institutionalizing Sustainability Programming Into University Residences, Dora Vaughan

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The institutionalization of the Residence Hall Reuse Program is a reality, and the increased awareness of the program demands expansion in software, supervision, inventory, and storage. The manual system will not support another year of reservations without compromising staff work boundaries and accessibility. We have begun looking into software creation and other options available for contracting.

Noaa Wdvcc Fisheries Internship, Antonio Jones

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The invasive European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) have spread from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, becoming a matter of concern in waterbodies throughout the Salish Sea. The possible establishment and growth of this invasive species poses risks to the native species, that thousands of people rely on for their livelihood and for the seafood industry in the Pacific Northwest. I completed and internship with the Northwest Straits Commission (NWSC) working in an emergency response trapping effort to trap invasive European Green Crabs (EGC) in Drayton Harbor, WA to help protect and conserve the native species from their devastating …

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Internship, Nathan Fisher

College of the Environment Internship Reports

the goal of this voluntary initiative was to ensure that the natural resources of Lake
Whatcom, Lake Samish and other important bodies of water in the Bellingham area are preserved and
protected. In 2011 the Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) was detected for the first time in Lake Whatcom,
sparking concern for some about future invasions. Aquatic Invasive species are non-native pathogens,
animals, and plants whose habitat is primarily the aquatic environment. Effects of the invaders can be
ranging. In extreme cases pathogens can be introduced to bodies of water frequented by swimmers. When
these pathogens come into contact with victims, …

Gonatives! Intern, Justin Mead

College of the Environment Internship Reports

I was an intern for GoNatives!, a plant nursery that raises and sells local botanicals to local public and private entities. The owner of GoNatives!, Don Norman, is interested in the mycorrhizal associations of several local plant species, including Rhododendrun macrophylum, Menziesia ferruginea, Cornus nuttallii, Paxistima myrsinites, Ceanothus velutinus, Achlys triphylla, Arbutus menziesii, Linnaea borealis, and Armeria maritima.

Studying The Characteristics Of Common Red Raspberry Fungal Pathogen, Botrytis Cinerea, Olivia Pells

College of the Environment Internship Reports

In the summer of 2022, I worked as a laboratory assistant on a project studying red raspberry fungus and was based at a Washington State University agricultural laboratory. During this internship I worked mostly in the lab and performed a variety of tasks and procedures primarily involving the fungus, Botrytis cinerea. Prior to my employment I set learning targets of improving my lab technique, time management, writing skills, and gaining a better understanding of the research process. All of these goals were achieved, and I was able to apply the skills I learned through university coursework in a practical setting …

City Of Bellingham - Aquatic Invasive Boat Inspection Intern, Lewis Rowlen

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Invasive species pose threats to ecosystems worldwide, which are often exacerbated by anthropogenic activities. As an aquatic invasive species boat inspector, I worked in an effort to prevent the spread of these harmful plants and animals into Bellingham’s local lakes. During the 2022 season, the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team and I successfully intercepted many high-risk vessels set to enter local lakes. After these vessels were identified as a high risk of harboring aquatic invasive species, the vessels were decontaminated using a high-pressure hot-wash unit.

North Cascades Institute Internship, Ellysen Mcfarland

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This fall I worked as a Mountain School Instructor at the North Cascades Institute, a nonprofit
organization with an Environmental Learning Center near Lake Diablo. The season began in late August
and ran through mid-December. The responsibilities as a mountain school instructor include designing
and delivering lessons about natural and cultural history, interconnectedness, social emotional learning,
art, and natural science topics including fluvial/alluvial valleys, watersheds, decomposition, web of life,
geology, and stream ecology. This season had unforeseen challenges due to an extremely long wildfire
season with fires near the Environmental Learning Center. As a result, I was not able to …