[ECOLOG-L] Tenure-track faculty position: Vertebrate Spatial Ecologist
The Biological Sciences Department in the College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure-track Vertebrate Spatial Ecologist at the Assistant Professor rank, beginning September 2019. Excellent candidates will create synergy in the Department by having expertise in one or more of the following areas: animal habitat use and selection, movement/migration/distribution ecology, land/seascape ecology and macroecology. Empiricists with strong analytical programming and geo-statistical skills and interests in applied marine and/or terrestrial ecology, conservation and management are preferred, especially those who can involve undergraduates in cutting-edge research to understand vertebrate animal distributions and movements. Teaching responsibilities will include a non-major course in Wildlife Conservation Biology, upper division courses in Wildlife Ecology and/or Conservation Biology, and an upper division or graduate course in Spatial Ecology. A Ph.D. in a relevant field and evidence of excellent teaching (preferably at the college level) are required at time of hiring. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. To apply, please visit WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG and complete the required online faculty application form and submit to Requisition# 104968. Attach the following required materials to your faculty application: Cover Letter addressing your relevant teaching experience; Curriculum Vitae; Teaching Philosophy; Statement of Professional Goals; a PDF file of a recent Publication or Submitted Manuscript; a Diversity Statement describing how your teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly will demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion; unofficial transcript of highest degree earned (official transcripts are required upon hiring). Be prepared to provide 3 professional references with names and email addresses when completing the faculty application. After your application packet is reviewed, your references will receive an email containing a weblink for uploading a letter of recommendation. Review of applications begins September 10, 2018. Complete applications received after that date may be considered. The Biological Sciences Department offers programs leading to three Bachelor of Science degrees (Biological Sciences, Microbiology, and Marine Sciences), a Master of Science in Biological Sciences including a specialization in Regenerative Medicine, and minors in Biology, Biotechnology, and Microbiology. In keeping with the Learn by Doing tradition at Cal Poly, our undergraduates are strongly encouraged to participate in research projects to fulfill the senior project requirement for graduation. The department also offers courses to satisfy general education and breadth requirements. At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Those rare success stories...
I'm surprised no one has posted a link to this 2017 article from MongaBay yet (and apologies if someone already has and I missed it): https://news.mongabay.com/2017/08/a-rich-persons-profession-young-conservationists-struggle-to-make-it/ If I have any advice it is: a) do NOT go into debt to find your dream job in conservation. There's just not much money in this field. Better to volunteer and work your way up locally than to start your career $50,000 in the red. b) try to become a known quantity and get any experience you can. Yes, this may mean volunteering, which is problematic. But organizations hire known quantities. Most technical training isn't rocket science, at least at the entry level (I'm not talking about highly specialized study design and data analysis). It's more important to become known as a good worker and team player, who can learn new skills as needed. c) For many conservation careers (primarily in the US), a Master's degree has now become the necessary entry point, similar to what an undergrad degree was 25 years ago. And this is unfortunate, because a MS doesn't necessarily give greater pre-professional training. So that implies that the job market is pretty saturated. Most MS programs train in research specialities - which is somewhat of a problem if you don't want to be a professional researcher (see below). And see my first point above: don't go into debt. d) PhD's are for future researchers. If you don't want to be a researcher, don't get a PhD. Otherwise, you may overspecialize yourself right out of a job. The tenured job market is tight, and being a part-time lecturer or "at will" faculty is often a trap that will crush you. I too am deeply concerned about professional prospects in conservation. Even as an undergrad, I wondered "If this line of work is so important, why can't I get a paying job doing it?" We really need a better "pipeline" for getting new professionals started in this field. Compared to the pre-med pipeline, we have instead what I call the "Dandelion Model": we train up thousands of eager young pre-professionals, and then scatter them randomly across the landscape, and those few that find fertile prospects survive and flourish, but most don't and often wither and die (professionally). I guess it's because there's just no money in conservation, especially as compared to human health. An ugly truth, but truth nonetheless. my 2 cents - John Perrine, PhD Associate Professor / Curator of Mammals and Birds Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California USA
[ECOLOG-L] Field Course: Wildlife Ecology Techniques - 2 spots left!
There are only 2 spots left in our summer “Field Techniques in Wildlife Ecology” field course, which will be held July 23 – Aug 3, 2018 at the Swanton Pacific Ranch just north of Santa Cruz, California. The course is intended for college undergraduates with junior (3rd year) standing or above, grad students, and early-career professionals who want to learn the fundamentals of working with wildlife. The goals of the course are: 1) to give upper-division college students hands-on experience with the main field techniques used to capture, identify, and study terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians; and 2) to connect students with working professional wildlife biologists from a wide range of employers, such as state / federal wildlife management agencies, private consulting firms, and non-profit research groups. Topics include: - chemical immobilization of large mammals such as deer, including dart gun practice - camera trapping medium- and large mammals - small mammal trapping and handling - acoustic detection of birds and bats - mistnetting birds and bats - survey techniques for reptiles and amphibians - identifying tracks, scat and other sign - fundamentals of using GPS, magnetic compass and topographic maps - VHF telemetry and triangulation - safety in the field - Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic” and its relevance to modern wildlife conservation - applying for Associate Wildlife Biologist certification by The Wildlife Society (TWS) - career options in wildlife conservation and management - and more! Instructors are professional wildlife biologists from a range of employers, including state and federal wildlife agencies (such as California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service), consulting firms, non-profit research groups and academia. Networking and career mentoring with established professionals is emphasized. This intensive 12-day field course is sponsored by the Western Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS-WS), which is the organization of professional wildlife biologists and managers in California, Nevada and Hawaii. The course fee of $1675 includes on-site housing, most meals, and 4 quarter units (3 semester units) of upper-division college credit through California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, California. The course is held at Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch, just north of Santa Cruz, California. The class has been held here every summer since 2013. Enrollment is limited to 16 participants to ensure plenty of hands-on opportunity for everyone. If you’re interested in enrolling, email me (the course coordinator): jperr...@calpoly.edu. Write 1 paragraph explaining your current educational or employment level, including prior college coursework or work experience in ecology and wildlife, and how this class would contribute to your career objectives. I will then send you specific instructions on how to enroll through Cal Poly’s Extended Education program. This class is packed with information and is a lot of fun for everyone. I hope you can join us! - John Perrine, PhD, course coordinator email: jperr...@calpoly.edu Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California USA
[ECOLOG-L] 4 seats left in "Intro to Wildlife Camera Trapping" workshop, July 6-9
We have 4 seats left in our upcoming “Introduction to Wildlife Camera Trapping” workshop, which will be held July 6-9, 2018 in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California, USA. Motion-triggered cameras (also called “camera traps”) have become an invaluable tool for wildlife research and management. This workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to camera trapping equipment and methodology, so that participants with little to no experience with camera trapping can acquire the basic knowledge to plan, outfit, and carry out their own projects. Workshop topics include: - evaluating features when purchasing wildlife camera traps - practical research objectives: what can you really expect to learn from your project? - to bait or not to bait - photos or video? tradeoffs - workflows and data management - other essential gear beside the camera trap itself - examples of using camera traps for a variety of research objectives and more! In addition, each participant will receive hands-on experience setting up and checking several models of commercially-available camera traps. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own camera traps if they have them. The course is limited to 16 participants to ensure plenty of hands-on opportunity for everyone. The instructors are John Perrine (Professor of Biology, California Polytechnic State University, California) and Katie Moriarty (Postdoctoral Research Biologist, US Forest Service). Together, they have over 30 years of wildlife camera trapping experience. Registration fees are as follows (includes camping fees and meals): members of Western Section of The Wildlife Society: $495 non-members: $540 college students / new professionals: $270 To register, go to: https://www.wildlifeprofessional.org/western/cam2018_reg.php For more information, email Ivan Parr at: worksh...@tws-west.org
[ECOLOG-L] Field course - Wildlife ecology field techniques - 3 spots left!
There are only 3 spots left in our summer “Field Techniques in Wildlife Ecology” field course, which will be held Aug 14-25, 2017 at the Swanton Pacific Ranch just north of Santa Cruz, California. The goal of the course is to give upper-division college students hands-on experience with the main field techniques used to capture, identify, and study terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians). And to connect students with working professional wildlife biologists from a wide range of employers, such as state / federal wildlife management agencies, private consulting firms, and non-profit research groups. This intensive 12-day field course is sponsored by the Western Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS-WS), which is the organization of professional wildlife biologists and managers in California, Nevada and Hawaii. Participants will earn 4 quarter units (3 semester units) of upper-division college credit through California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). The course is intended for college undergraduates with junior (3rd year) standing or above, grad students, and early-career professionals who want to learn the fundamentals of working with wildlife. Topics include: - chemical immobilization of large mammals such as deer, including dart gun practice - camera trapping medium- and large mammals - small mammal trapping and handling - acoustic detection of birds and bats - mistnetting birds and bats - survey techniques for reptiles and amphibians - identifying tracks, scat and other sign - fundamentals of using GPS, magnetic compass and topographic maps - VHF telemetry and triangulation - safety in the field - Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic” and its relevance to modern wildlife conservation - wildlife biologist certification by The Wildlife Society (TWS) - career options in wildlife conservation and management - and more! Instructors are professional wildlife biologists from a range of employers, including state and federal wildlife agencies (such as California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service), consulting firms, non-profit research groups and academia. Networking and career mentoring with established professionals is emphasized. Enrollment is limited to 16 participants to ensure plenty of hands-on opportunity for everyone. The course is held at Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch, just north of Santa Cruz, California. The class has been held here every summer since 2013. The course fee of $1695 includes housing, most meals and 4 units of academic credit (quarter units). (Note that this course does not by itself qualify participants for any certifications other than the course credit.) If you’re interested in enrolling, email me (the course coordinator) at jperr...@calpoly.edu. Write 1 paragraph explaining your current educational or employment level, including prior college coursework or work experience in ecology and wildlife, and how this class would contribute to your career objectives. I will then send you specific instructions on how to enroll through Cal Poly’s Extended Education program. This class is packed with information and is a lot of fun for everyone. I hope you can join us! - John Perrine, PhD, course coordinator jperr...@calpoly.edu Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California USA
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Limbaugh belittles extinction crisis
Apparently, some people think Rush Limbaugh "is a big fat idiot." https://www.amazon.com/Rush-Limbaugh-Big-Fat-Idiot/dp/0440508649 While Malcolm's points are undoubtedly valid, I wonder who of the folks that listen to Rush Limbaugh will find them compelling. We can preach to our choir, but I wonder if we'll change any minds, especially among those who think we academics are pointy-headed whiners who worship trees and are ultimately trying to destroy the American economy. If anything, you could send this thread and its supporting evidence to Al Franken to use in his next book, read into the Congressional Record, etc. - John P. John D. Perrine, PhD Associate Professor / Curator of Mammals and Birds Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California USA93407-0401
[ECOLOG-L] Conference Announcement and Call for Papers - North American Pika Consortium, Feb 6-7, 2017
The 4th meeting of the North American Pika Consortium (NAPC-4) will be held February 6-7, 2017 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada, USA. This meeting will be held in concert with the 64th annual meeting of The Western Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS-WS), which will be Feb 7-10, 2017. (For more details on the TWS-WS meeting, see: http://tws-west.org). Abstract submission: Abstracts for papers to be presented as posters or 20-minute oral presentations (including Q) will be accepted through 11:59 Pacific time on October 15, 2016. Abstracts should not exceed 200 words and should follow the format posted by The Western Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS-WS). Please submit abstracts electronically by completing the form available at: http://wildlifeprofessional.org/western/ac2017_abstract_submit.php. Meeting Registration: Registration for NAPC-4 is expected to open approximately November 1, 2016 with early registration ending January 1, 2017. Please visit http://tws-west.org for more information. Working Groups: Please see the NAPC website (http://ochotona.wix.com/pikaconsortium) for a continually updated list of technical sessions and schedules as the meeting nears. We plan to schedule time for the following working group topics but please contact Erik Beever (ebeeve...@gmail.com) if you have any suggestions for alternative topics: Population Genetics & Genomics Health & Physiology Field Methods Climate Education Outreach and Citizen Science Distribution and Habitat Research and Review Hotel Accommodations: Lodging options for this meeting are available at the following hotels (please mention the NAPC conference to acquire the group rate for each of these options): Whitney Peak Hotel (price not yet negotiated): (775) 298-5400 Quality Inn and Suites (~$56.00/night): (775) 786-2500 Baymont Inn and Suites ($52.00/night): (775) 786-2506 Peppermill Resort (only if also attending the TWS-WS meeting) See (http://tws-west.org/events/2017/2017CallforPapers_20160822.pdf) for details regarding room reservations. $59 or $79 / night, and on-site for the conference. Volunteer Opportunities: Interested in serving as a volunteer for this meeting? We are looking for assistance with preparing materials, setting-up/breaking down equipment, chairing sessions, and judging student presentations! Please contact kbkling...@unr.edu for more information. Photo Slideshow: If you have a few photos of pika field work in action (e.g. photos of wildlife, collaborators, beautiful landscape, etc.) that you would like to share in our meeting slideshow, please please send them in .jpg format to kbkling...@unr.edu! We hope that you will consider joining us in Reno in early February! Sincerely, The NAPC-4 Conference Planning Committee * Like us on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/americanpikas)! * How to subscribe to the NAPC listserv: To subscribe, please email Dr. Janet Foley at peroqu...@gmail.com and request to be added to the listserv. Once added, if you want to post, then send messages to westernpi...@ucdavis.edu. The list provides a mechanism to keep communication lines open amongst those working on pikas, without having an overwhelming volume of posts.
[ECOLOG-L] Field Course: Wildlife ecology techniques - 4 spots left!
There are only 4 spots left in our summer field course emphasizing wildlife identification and the main field ecology techniques for studying and conserving terrestrial vertebrates. The 12-day field course is sponsored by the Western Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS), which is the organization of professional wildlife biologists and managers in California, Nevada and Hawaii. Participants earn 4 quarter units (3 semester units) of upper-division college credit through California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). It is intended for college undergraduates with junior (3rd year) standing or above, grad students, and early-career professionals who want to learn the fundamentals of working with wildlife. Topics include: - chemical immobilization of large mammals such as deer, including dart gun practice - camera trapping medium- and large mammals - small mammal trapping and handling - acoustic detection of birds and bats - mistnetting birds and bats - survey techniques for reptiles and amphibians - identifying tracks, scat and other sign - fundamentals of map, compass and GPS use - VHF telemetry and triangulation - safety in the field - Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic” and its relevance to modern wildlife conservation - wildlife biologist certification by The Wildlife Society (TWS) - career options in wildlife conservation and management - and more! Instructors are professional wildlife biologists from a range of employers, including state and federal wildlife agencies (such as California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service), consulting firms, non-profit research groups and academia. Networking and career mentoring with established professionals is emphasized. Enrollment is limited to 16 participants to ensure plenty of hands-on opportunity for everyone. The course is held at Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch just north of Santa Cruz, California. The class has been held here every summer since 2013. The dates for this summer's course are: Aug 8-19, 2016. The course meets all day, every day (except for Sunday Aug 14, which is a break). The course fee of $1625 includes meals, housing and 4 units of academic credit (quarter units). If you’re interested in enrolling, email me (the course coordinator): jperr...@calpoly.edu. Write 1 paragraph explaining your current educational or employment level, including prior college coursework or work experience in ecology and wildlife, and how this class would contribute to your career objectives. I will then send you specific instructions on how to enroll through Cal Poly’s Extended Education program. This class is packed with information and is a lot of fun for everyone. I hope you can join us! - John Perrine, PhD, course coordinator jperr...@calpoly.edu Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California USA
Re: [ECOLOG-L] pronunciation of a Latin genus name
What a great opportunity to be pedantic! :) While Don is completely right that modern pronunciation of scientific names has moved away from the rules of classical Latin pronunciation, I just want to make the point that these names actually mean something, and the pronunciation should reflect this. For example, consider Dipodomys (the genus of Kangaroo Rats). The name means 2 footed mouse in reference to their large hind feet, and so it should be pronounced Di-podo-mus, not Dip-o-do-mees. When teaching undergrads, I really emphasize the etymology of the scientific names. This leads to better understanding and better learning, with better pronunciation too for good measure! Geek out! -John D. Perrine Associate Professor / Curator of Birds and Mammals Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California USA
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Graduate School GPA Question
Angela: Your prospects for getting into grad school are not dead, just because your undergraduate GPA was below 3.0. You just need to do a good job communicating to the admissions committee (and your prospective advisor) why your undergrad GPA is not a good indicator of your potential for success in grad school. Things happen in real life that can derail students from their coursework - family crises, relationships, extended illness, financial troubles, and other things. You should not have to forgo grad school just because of an event like this. Some students take a while to really get focused. This is where your work experience really helps. You may be able to argue that you weren't focused as an undergrad, but now you really understand what your interests are, and you see how grad school fits into your overall career plan. And, not being straight out of undergrad may have given you greater maturity, perspective, and leadership skills, all of which make you more likely to succeed in grad school. You'll want strong letters of rec to back up your claims, if possible. I have accepted grad students with GPA below 3.0. It depends on the school, but some admissions committees give great weight to the advisor's recommendation. If your advisor wants you, then he/she may just need to say why they're choosing you over other candidates with higher GPA (but perhaps not as much relevant experience). Then, the onus is on you to perform to your full abilities once you're admitted. Good luck! John D. Perrine Associate Professor Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California USA
Re: [ECOLOG-L] is a wetland delineation cert. a top job skill?
Anne: At the risk of stating the obvious: It depends on what kind of job you want. This is part of the inherent problem of ecology - the term includes lots of different kinds of work, contexts, value sets, etc. If you are interested in working for a consulting firm or a regulatory agency, doing environmental impact assessment and that kind of stuff, then being certified in WD would be beneficial - which is why it is listed in the job qualifications. If you are interested in other kinds of ecology jobs, such as scientific research (especially developing and testing generalizable theory, leading to peer-reviewed publications), then WD would not necessarily be useful at all. So, if you want to be more competitive for the kinds of jobs that include WD, then it would be a good investment to get trained. (Especially if you already have other fundamental skills, such as a BS degree, experience in field ecology / environmental sciences, a decent GPA, good references, etc. Without those fundamentals, you may not be competitive for jobs, even with some training in WD.) As an aside, I would think that a $1000 training in WD might get you further than a similar short course in GIS. good luck! John P. John D. Perrine, PhD Assistant Professor / Associate Curator of Mammals Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401 On Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:59:48 -0500, Anne Stine anne.st...@ecoclines.org wrote: Hello Ecologgers, I am hoping that you can weigh in on my question. As a young ecologist, I am working to acquire the maximal number of resume-bolstering skills before joining the job market. I check out the listings periodically to assess the most requested job qualifications, and I generally see the previously mentioned GIS and stats. I also see Wetland Delineation. I'll have the chance to get certified this spring, and I'd like some feedback on whether it's worth it before I spend the ~$1000. What's your opinion? Would wetland delineation certification make me a significantly stronger job candidate? -Anne =
[ECOLOG-L] Faculty position (tenure-track) - Avian Community Ecology - California
The Biological Sciences Department in the College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure track Avian Community Ecologist to build upon the departments existing strengths in vertebrate field ecology and conservation. Rank and salary to be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position will begin in September 2013. The successful candidate must have a strong commitment to teaching, curriculum development, and implementing Cal Polys Learn By Doing philosophy by developing a student-centered research program in field ecology of avian communities. Candidates whose research program will inform the management or conservation of local systems are preferred. Teaching responsibilities will include upper-division courses in ornithology and community ecology, along with a mixture of lower- and upper-division courses appropriate to the candidates background and interests, such as introductory biology, conservation biology, or field methods in ecology. Curatorial opportunities are available to interested candidates. Ph.D. in related field required at time of hiring. Post-doctoral experience and/or teaching experience preferred. For details, qualifications, and application instructions (online faculty application required), visit WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG and refer to Requisition # 102686.
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecological Knowledge of your place
Hi Sherry. That sounds like the Developing a Sense of Place exercise. I've done it myself in an environmental biology course, both as a student and as a teaching assistant for the same course. It's a great semester-long exercise, and students definitely get out of it what they put into it - some may take it very shallowly, but those who really dig into it will find it a very rewarding experience. This specific exercise is found in BioSphere 2000, an introduction to environmental science textbook by Don Kaufman and Cecilia Franz of Miami University (Oxford, Ohio, USA), but it's based upon a list in Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered by Bill Devall and George Sessions. I've copied the list of 30 questions below, for everyone following this thread. Presumably if you've read this far, you have some interest in the content! I'm happy to disseminate this list -- adapt it as you see fit, of course -- and would love to see it be used more widely. Even though many current students are aware of general environmental issues, they often lack the kind of local connection or grounding that this exercise can provide. cheers John D. Perrine, PhD Assistant Professor / Associate Curator of Mammals Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401 Developing a Sense of Place from: Donald G. Kaufman and Cecilia M. Franz. 1996. Biosphere 2000: Protecting our Global Environment, 2nd ed. Kendall / Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. p. 579. 1. Trace the water you drink from precipitation to tap. 2. How many days until the moon is full (plus or minus a couple of days)? (From your birthday this year.) 3. Describe the soil around your home. 4. What were the primary subsistence techniques of the culture(s) that lived in your area before you? 5. Name five native edible plants in your bioregion and their season(s) of availability. 6. From what direction do winter storms generally come in your region? 7. Where does your garbage go? 8. How long is the growing season where you live? 9. On what day of the year are the shadows the shortest where you live? 10. Name five trees in your area. Are any of them native? If you cant name names, describe them. 11. Name five resident and five migratory birds in your area. 12. What is the land-use history by humans in your bioregion during the past century? 13. What primary geological event / process influenced the land form where you live? (Explain.) 14. Name at least three species that have become extinct in your area. 15. What are the major plant associations in your region? 16. Trace your wastewater from toilet to precipitation. 17. What spring wildflower is consistently among the first to bloom where you live? 18. What kinds of rocks and minerals are found in your bioregion? 19. List five adaptations for winter survival that plants and animals exhibit in your area. 20. Name some beings (nonhuman) which share your place. 21. Do you celebrate the turning of the summer and winter solstices? If so, how do you celebrate? 22. How many people live next door to you? What are their names? 23. How much gasoline do you use a week, on the average? 24. What energy costs you the most money? What kind of energy is it? 25. What developed and potential energy resources are in your area? 26. What plans are there for massive development of energy or mineral resources in your bioregion? 27. What is the largest or closest wilderness area in or near your bioregion? 28. Interview a conservation, environmental or ecology professional in your bioregion for his/her sense of place. 29. Interview an environmental activist from your region for his/her sense of place. 30. How long has it been since youve walked beyond where the sidewalk ends (why so long)? Take a walk in a special place on a special day with a special person (optional). Describe your experience. (Adapted from a list found in Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered, Devall and Sessions, Gibbs, Smith, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah.) -end-
[ECOLOG-L] Faculty Position: Marine Conservation
MARINE CONSERVATION TENURE TRACK POSITION. The Biological Sciences Department in the College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University (in San Luis Obispo, California, USA) is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure track position at the assistant, associate or full professor rank beginning September 2012. Excellent candidates will create synergy in the department with a focus on Marine Conservation. Sub-discipline expertise under these larger themes could include, but are not limited to, community ecology, marine mammalogy, population genetics/ecology, and climate change biology and biological oceanography. A focus on student-centered research and teaching activities and the ability to procure external funding to enhance the use of the Universitys marine facility in Avila Beach, CA are desirable. Teaching responsibilities will include courses in the Marine Biology and Fisheries concentration and other majors and non-majors courses as appropriate to background and training. The successful candidate must have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching across the curriculum, including curriculum development. Ph.D. in related field required at time of hiring. Post-doctoral research or teaching experience preferred. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. For details, qualifications, and application instructions (online faculty application required), visit WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG and refer to Requisition #102366. Review Begin Date: September 2, 2011. Cal Poly is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and nominations of all qualified individuals. EEO
Re: [ECOLOG-L] What´s the difference between Ecolog y and Natural H istory?
Rachel: In my opinion, Ecology and Natural History are not mutually exclusive, nor are they synonyms. Rather, they overlap in content, and it may be fair to characterize ecology as a subset of natural history. In other words, all ecology can be thought of as natural history but not vice versa. Natural history is the traditional term for trying to understand how the natural world works. It was traditionally observational, laden with value judgment, and non-quantitative. It did not have to be specifically directed at living organisms; studies of tide cycles, geology and astronomy would also fall within natural history. Ecology would be a subset of natural history inquiry on organisms or their habitats, conducted and analyzed in a replicable manner according to the principles of experimental design and analysis (such as sampling theory and statistics) so that the conclusions are robust and generalizable. Natural history gets a bad rap for being a collection of anecdotes and that may well be true, especially as it was practiced in the past. But as others have pointed out, Darwin's approach to natural history study rose above that generalization, to become recognizable as ecology. It's not fair to equate ecology with the worst practices of natural history; rather, ecology is an example of the best (in a scientific perspective) way to practice natural history. Hope this helps- John D. Perrine, PhD Assistant Professor / Associate Curator of Mammals Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401 On Fri, 8 Apr 2011 14:27:52 -0400, Rachel Ford ford.rach...@gmail.com wrote: Hi all: OK so I just finished my Bachelor's, but I honestly haven't heard much of the definition of natural history. Is it safe to distinguish them as such: *Ecology - how an organism interacts with other organisms and the environment* *Natural History - everything else.* It would be nice if this could be that simple, but I have a feeling it's not.. I know this has been going around for a while, but everyone's explanations, though quite well written, does a horrible job of putting it into laymen's terms. Of course, I consider myself a scientist and of course aim to understand things beyond a laymen's understanding, but *what good is it to know something that you can't even explain in simple terms??* ** Thanks everyone!! oh and... YAY FRIDAY! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!! Best, *Rachel E. Ford Meléndez *B.Sc. Biology - conc. Marine and Freswhater Biology Minor Dance George Mason University Minor Applied Conservation Studies Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute On Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 1:07 PM, Jaime Garizabal jgariza...@gmail.com wrote: Hi! By these days I´ve thinking about the differences between Ecology and Natural History, and maybe I´m just not so good differenciating this terms or I just need to read more about it, but sometimes it seems like the limits between them aren´t always clear. For example, if you´re studying some bird and you are taking into account things like clutch size, clutch mass, incubation rhythm, social structure (in case for example, the bird is a cooperative breeder), diet, feeding strategy, habitat description and so on... How do I know, according to the definitions and the conceptual commitment, wich part is mostly ecology and wich one natural history? how can I draw the limits? Of course, it´s always depend on the research question and the context and limits I´m using to think about it, but, even so, sometimes it´s not clear for me differenciate conceptually and in the practice when I´m studying the Ecology and when the Natural History of some living thing.. Could you help me a little bit with this? Pd. Sorry about my english and thanks a lot for your time and pacience! Jaime. A Garizábal C. Instituto de Biología - Universidad de Antioquia Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitología. Medellín - Colombia.
[ECOLOG-L] Staff and Tenure-track faculty positions at Cal Poly
The following positions are currently available at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California: 1. Tenure-track faculty: Assistant Professor, natural resources and environmental management (position 102235) 2. Public engagement and communications specialist, Kennedy Library (position 102325) For more information and to apply, go to CALPOLYJOBS.ORG and search on the position number. 1. TENURE TRACK POSITION: Assistant Professor, Natural Resources and Environmental Management. (position 102235) The Natural Resources Management Department, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California, invites applications for an academic-year, tenure-track position for an Assistant Professor in Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Projected start date September 12, 2011. Responsibilities: - Teaching a variety of undergraduate courses in areas of emphasis include applied terrestrial ecology, environmental planning and management, GIS, wetlands, water-related resources and watershed management. - Professional growth, scholarship and service activities, in addition to teaching, are important in the consideration for tenure and promotion. - Advising of undergraduate and graduate students. - The successful candidate will play a lead role in the environmental management and protection program. - Develop an externally funded applied research program focusing on applied terrestrial ecology, environmental planning and management, GIS, wetlands, water-related resources and watershed management. Qualifications: - Ph.D. required at the time of appointment. Preference given to candidates with at least one degree in natural resources management. Special consideration will be given to candidates with a record of excellence in teaching and research, as well as ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students. - Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to one or more of the following, GIS, terrestrial and/or aquatic habitat management and restoration, conservation biology, wetlands, watershed and water quality management. - Qualified candidates must demonstrate the potential for collaborative research in resource ecosystems science and management. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. To apply, please visit WWW.CALPOLYJOBS.ORG, complete a required online faculty application and apply to requisition #102235. Please attach to electronic application a letter of interest and resume/curriculum vitae. Please see online posting for instructions for submitting three letters of recommendation and copy of transcripts. Closing Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Review Begin Date May 15, 2011. Selected candidate will be required to submit sealed official transcripts of highest degree and original signed letters of recommendation. For questions, please contact: Dr. Richard Thompson, Chairperson, Faculty Search Committee Natural Resources Management Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 (805) 756-2898, rptho...@calpoly.edu 2. Public engagement and communications specialist, Kennedy Library (position 102325) Kennedy Library at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in beautiful San Luis Obispo, California, is seeking an exceptional candidate for a new position, Public Engagement and Communications Specialist. Under the direction of the Associate Dean and in coordination with other Library administrative, program, and services staff, the successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating the Library's public engagement programs, including Cal Poly Science Café and Conversations with Cal Poly Authors, and also for coordinating Library-wide marketing and public communications activities with the campus and community. This position requires a Bachelor's degree and three years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and public relations, or a related field. This full time exempt staff position is available at the Public Affairs / Communications Specialist II level, with an anticipated hiring range of $41,628 $62,412, plus a generous benefits package. Appointment rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Review of applications will begin April 5, 2011. For a complete job description, application instructions, and more information, please visit Cal Poly Jobs (position 102325). Cal Poly is strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and nominations of all qualified individuals. EEO
