[ECOLOG-L] Online Environmental Writing Bootcamp Sessions coming up
Do you wish you could spend less time staring at the computer and more time traveling around to exotic locales and writing stories that make a positive difference in the world? Do you want to learn how to write ultra-catchy queries and understand what editors really want for magazines such as Discover, OnEarth, National Wildlife, and others? Make this the year that you do more of the writing that fulfills the deep passion within that drew you into a writing career in the first place. Or get started today learning to write about science, the environment and outdoor travel and get paid for it! WHAT: Magazine & Online Writing Bootcamp, focusing on science, environment and outdoor writing. Course assignments guide you through performing an in-depth analysis of your dream market, developing a carefully crafted query, and learning how to use the techniques of observation journaling, and topic-spoking to improve your writing and land more assignments. An optional 5th assignment allows you to get feedback on a short article you¹ve written or a revision of your query letter (queries are the proposals of magazine writing). If you follow all, you should have something ready to send to your target market at the end of the class. WHEN: Sep 30 and Oct 28, 2017 (each runs 6 weeks). WHERE: ONLINE! Everything comes through email, and is run through a Yahoogroup. No need to be anywhere at any particular time. HOW: Get more info and sign up today at http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm or see the Course Outline at http://www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm Wendee Nicole, M.S. www.wendeenicole.com <http://www.wendeenicole.com/> * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION UGANDA http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> Online writing classes start 9/30 and 10/28: http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] Online course: Ecology/Enviro writing for mags (including sustainable ag)
This online course focuses on science, environment and outdoor writing (which includes all things sustainability including agriculture), but the material & assignments can truly be geared to ANY topic - health, religion, parenting, politics, you name it. I work with you wherever you are at, and with your interests. Get a $28 discount if you like my Writer page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bohemianone) and click ³get Offer². WHAT: Magazine & Online Writing Bootcamp WHEN: Apr 8 and May 27, 2017 (runs 8 weeks). WHERE: ONLINE! Everything comes through email, and is run through a Yahoogroup. No need to be anywhere at any particular time. HOW: Get more info and sign up today at www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wendeenicole.com%2Fnature.h tm=ATN0FLmZx0XnOZUWSqieYrMupdYnKS235zTEOt5ff51qum_66UCBVahSg1q5ugBTipeGzA5 jCawla37Dn8iL5nS0lTQKJpBX3zgZ__khS5CfkNzfS963uor3YIbx5z1ZUIQFSYlvaX_obbwrsDa vVhZ40yzN=AZMA0GX05Q8A5K-pnBsYyGWMfVMu6UdI6mxPkcaX3fO26fo4kCOyZFRz9ASlPO 84p6Sw82chB5LEAcSlEjHJD3CZzfmseCR7BZNT0cNAe5UfEt6VqdS2kcU6Yum2mTg6Pdz0WEEgPS J8Fd-sbz5OnRwx3jk0wODODsfqyNISzNhTqoTzcKX08J0Tl_pdulFknTuu9vdL7nw_VoMXUE7nn- 5y=1> ($207 by Paypal or $200 by check to Wendee Nicole, PO Box 876, Frisco TX 75034). WHO: Anyone who wants to get the inside scoop about writing for magazines and online sites, and getting paid to do so! I have editor Q with editors from Discover, National Wildlife, Sierra, Smithsonian and more. MORE INFO: See the class outline also at www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm <http://www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm> Email me for more info: wendeenic...@gmail.com Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION in Uganda http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> ~~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian ~~ Online Mag Writing Bootcamp starts Apr 8, 2017 Check it out! www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm <http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm>
[ECOLOG-L] New online Nature/Science Writing Classes
I have spaces in my upcoming March 4 & Apr 29 writing classes. Info below Interested in learning about how to write for magazines or online publications and get paid to do so? Or are you a writer who wants to break into more science/environment/travel/nature markets? Or write catchier queries? This 8-week class is a comprehensive way to re-invigorate your writing career or to get started - I meet you where you are at!! Please sign up today (you get immediate access to all the Course Resources upon payment). WHAT: Wendee Nicole's Magazine Writing Bootcamp WHEN: Mar 4 or Apr 29 (runs 8 weeks). WHERE: ONLINE! Everything comes through email, and is run through a Yahoogroup. No need to be anywhere at any particular time. HOW: Sign up today at www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm ($207 by Paypal or $200 by check to Wendee NIcole, PO Box 876, Frisco TX 75034). WHO: Scientists or grad students who want to write about their science, or writers who want to get paid more, write better queries, or get the inside scoop about mags like Discover, National Wildlife, Sierra, Smithsonian and more. Editor Q are provided with contact info! MORE INFO: See the class outline also at www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm This money helps support me in my endeavors helping the indigenous Batwa pygmies of SW Uganda near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas. (In other news, we will soon be announcing a big tree planting initiative soon, with a volunteer trip & a contest to win a spot). W WendeeNicole.com Director, RedemptionSongFoundation.org Sent from my iPhone - excuse brevity & typos
[ECOLOG-L] Science & nature writing boot camp jan 7/14
Hi all! I'm offering my Science and Nature Writing bootcamp starting January 7 (maybe starting the 14th) at a super discounted rate of $150; it's normally $200. I have also extended the format from 6 to 8 weeks which gives everyone more time. I know that's really short notice but I hope I get some takers. You'll have to pay by credit or debit card or PayPal (wendeenic...@gmail.com) -- if you have any problems email me. This is a class to teach people, including scientists, graduate students or professors, who are considering writing for a career or to make a little extra money, but don't know how to break into decent paying magazines or online publications. It focuses less on the craft of writing and more on the how to get published -- although there are a couple of assignments where I give feedback on your writing. There are five weekly assignments and there is more information here www.wendeenicole.com/Nature.HTM or you can look at the course outline at www.wendeenicole.com/outline.HTM We also get quite a few journalists who want to break into more environmental /science markets, but I suspect this audience is more ecologist/grad student :-) This is a really good deal. I've taught this class on my own for 15 years, & I've offered this rate to people retaking or who have reached out to me individually in the past, I've never offered it to all. I'm trying to get a couple more people and my next class which I may even push back to January 14 but not later. For those of been on this list for a while I'm still in Uganda running Redemption Song Foundation (inspired by Elinor Ostrom's principles) helping indigenous Batwa/ Twa Pygmy forest people regain some environmental justice (we're hoping to plant trees at some point in the medium term future in their settlements). We just got the village I work in clean water and we're about to turn on the taps in a few days! Wendee WendeeNicole.com Director, RedemptionSongFoundation.org Sent from my iPhone - excuse brevity & typos
[ECOLOG-L] new 8-wk format for online science/eco-writing bootcamp - Oct 15 start date
We have a few more spots in the upcoming Online Writing Bootcamp that starts Oct 15, and runs 8 weeks (previous classes went only 6 weeks). The class focuses on how to get published, what magazines (and online outlets) are looking for, how to write a query letter, how to create a good ³angle² (peg, hook) of any story idea, and the like. I¹ve had students sign up who have never published anything especially scientists, students and professionals who want to write about their work or similar topics and established professional writers who want to gain insight into science/nature/travel markets. I¹ve been a writer for 2 decades, published in many outlets including Nature, Scientific American, Environmental Health Perspectives, TakePart.com, Animal Planet and Discovery Channel online, and more. I have relationships with editors at many magazines having met them at conferences and have insight into what they¹re looking for through a series of Q that various editors have given for the class. There are 5 assignments and I give personal feedback on each one, answer any questions about publishing and writing, and provide everyone with numerous other helpful resources throughout the class. More info is here: www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm and the class outline (still geared at the 6 week format) is www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm Let me know if you have any questions! I think it might be great for some ECOLOGGERS :) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/redemptionsong Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com <http://www.wendeenicole.com/> ) **Next online 8-wk Magazine Writing Bootcamp starts Sep 24 (wendeenicole.com/nature.htm)**
[ECOLOG-L] New online Nature/Science Writing class July 2 (6 wks)
Im in Uganda and running a nonprofit for indigenous Batwa (conservation & sustainable livelihoods), and trying to get a little money for my work here, and so teaching this class online is a great way for me to do that. We were set to start today but didn¹t get enough enrollees. I like to have at least 6 (and can take up to 15!) WHAT: Online Nature/Science Writing Bootcamp! WHEN: Starting July 2, runs for 6 weeks WHERE: Online everything takes place by email, with Resources on a Yahoogroup. WHY: This course is jam-packed with useful information. You will get: * Constructive feedback on your queries and writing * Q interviews with environment/nature magazine editors including > * Smithsonian Magazine > * Audubon Magazine > * Sierra Magazine > * OnEarth Magazine > * The Atlantic Magazine > * Orion Magazine > * Bird Watcher's Digest and Birder's World magazines > * National Wildlife Magazine > * National Geographic > * And many more! * Weekly handouts with useful resources, articles, reviews, editor contacts and more. * An attentive instructor that tailors the course to student interests * View the course outline <http://wendeenicole.com/outline.htm> HOW: Sign up here http://wendeenicole.com/nature.htm (by Paypal credit/debit card or check) OUTLINE: http://wendeenicole.com/outline.htm i. Intro Post Bios, Interests, What you want to learn from this class I. Week 1 Opening Pandora's Box A. Outdoor Observation Journal Assignment 1 B. Freelancing 101 Resources II. Week 2 Know Thy Nature Magazine A. Individual Market Study Assignment 2 B. Environment/Nature Writing Resources C. Editor Interviews/Q III. Week 3 Sharpening the Focus A. Topic-Spoking: Assignment 3 B. Matching Ideas to Markets C. Research interviewing experts, doing research. IV. Week 4 -- Crafting a Catchy Query A. Develop a Query Assignment 4 B. Feedback V. Week 5 & 6 -- Research & Writing OPTIONAL Assignment 5 Due anytime before class ends (OR Catch up on previous assignments) A. Essay writing turn your journal entries into a saleable essay OR B. Featurette write a 1,200 word piece on a topic of your choice C. Any remaining questions - ask away! Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/redemptionsong Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com <http://www.wendeenicole.com/> ) **Online 6-wk Magazine Writing Class starts July 2 (wendeenicole.com/nature.htm)**
[ECOLOG-L] Online Env/Nature Writing class
I have a few openings left in my next online writing class if anyone is interested I pushed the start date back to next Saturday, Mar 26 and technically the signup deadline would be today but because I¹m still looking for folks, I¹m flexible! It¹s $207 on Paypal (www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm) or if you need to send a check that is ok too (Wendee Nicole, PO Box 876, Frisco TX 75034) but send today or it wont arrive in time! :0) It is all done by email, via a Yahoogroup, It runs for 6 weeks and includes 5 assignments plus editor Q and many other helpful resources. More info is available here: www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm Class outline: www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm Signing up also helps support me in my (volunteer) work running the Redemption Song Foundation in Uganda, helping indigenous Batwa and trying to create healthy communities and sustainable ecosystems- this helps me pay my own bills :) Let me know if you have any questions or interest! Lots of Ecologgers have taken it in the past, whether you¹re a scientist wanting to know how magazine writing works, or an aspiring environmental communicator. Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> http://facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com <http://www.wendeenicole.com/> ) **Online 6-wk Magazine Writing Class starts Mar 26 (wendeenicole.com/nature.htm)**
[ECOLOG-L] reforestation in African montane forest
Dear colleagues, My organization is applying for some grants to create a native tree nursery and then reforest the region outside Bwindi Impenetrable National park in SW Uganda with native trees as well as engaging in some permaculture, and possibly a small section in each village for timber trees. Presently almost everywhere outside of the park is in agriculture, and any trees are Eucalyptus or pine. We¹re starting with the indigenous Batwa settlements, the hunter-gatherers who were evicted from their forest homeland when the park was created. As this isn¹t my area of expertise, I wanted to see if anyone had any advice, references to literature, or colleagues that I could touch base with on the following issues: 1. When reforesting a tropical montane forest, how do you space the tree seedlings (Im sure there¹s literature on this, and I will be doing a more thorough search, but thought some people may have insight). This will help me ascertain how many seedlings we need to budget for. 2. Eucalyptus will suck up a lot of water. Are there any timber trees in the area that are compatible with native forest if kept to a certain ³plantation² area, or will this completely interfere with reforestation efforts? 3. Should food trees be interspersed into the native trees or kept in certain plots separately near homesteads? Thanks for any thoughts! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com <http://www.wendeenicole.com/> )
[ECOLOG-L] Anyone in Brussels?
Hey Im attending the AID-Expo (http://www.aid-expo.com ) in Brussels Nov 18-19 anyone else here? Or, does anyone on the list live in Brussels and maybe are doing some interesting research that you could meet up with me and tell me about? I have two days around that (Nov 17, and 20th) that are totally free. don¹t know what Im doing yet but I like cool ecological things :) Is there any wildlife or natural habitat in Belgium?? Feel free to pass this along. If you don¹t know me, Ive been on the Ecolog list since 1994 LOL. Ive been an ecologist/grad student, a freelance science writer and now I run a nonprofit in Uganda but I still do some writing and am always looking for ideas. Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder & Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (DONATE: http://www.gofundme.com/redemptionsong) http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org <http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org/> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com <http://www.wendeenicole.com/> ) ~~Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa~~ Online writing class next date announced soon http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] enviro-writing class
My last online writing class filled up so fast (in 1 week!) I decided to offer another starting Sep 19. If you want to join, let me know asap as it goes fast (signup deadline Sep 12, but if you miss that just email me in case there¹s space). Info is online here: www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm and the class outline is www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm. Im still seeking volunteers to come work with us in my nonprofit org, Redemption Song Foundation (www.redemptionsongfoundation.org) in SW Uganda, on the outskirts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We are applying for grants to get assistance but for the time being you have to get yourself there (my most recent airfare from Houston for sept 2015 was just $812 on Turkish) and we can assist with food and lodging. We do community development and are getting into WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) and carbon sequestration./native tree reforestation projects in the near future. I am always in need of volunteers from afar social media, grant writing, anything you can do to help. It¹s a great cause, we work with the indigenous Batwa who were evicted from the park when it was gazetted for mountain gorillas (among other projects!) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (DONATE: http://www.gofundme.com/redemptionsong) http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com) ~~Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa~~ Online writing class starts Sep 19, 2015: http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] science/environment writing class for mags
Im offering one of my 6-week online writing classes starting Aug 8, or as soon as I get enough people signed up (6+). It focuses on writing about science, ecology, the environment (even outdoor travel) for magazines (and websites). Many Ecologgers have taken it in the past, and so if you¹d like to use your ecology expertise to write, this could work for you! It costs $200 ($207 by Paypal), and everything is done online and via email so theres no need to be online at a particular time. This is my only one in 2015, since my volunteer work in Uganda is keeping me busy, but I am trying to raise a bit of money; in fact 50% of the profits will go to my new nonprofit. Im still looking for volunteers in sustainability, ecology, etc so if interested about that email me at redemptionsongfoundation AT gmail.com Let me know if you have any questions! Or check out http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm Kind regards Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION DONATE: http://www.gofundme.com/redemptionsong http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian ~~Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa~~ Online writing class starts Aug 8, 2015: http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] pollinators and micronutrients
Is anyone familiar with the recent articles on the loss of pollinators and micronutrients, and how in some cases this may overlap with areas of malnutrition like Africa and SE Asia? There are 4 articles published in PLoS One and Proc B about this, and Im writing an article on this and looking for outside sources (ie not involvedin the studies) who may be able to comment on this Onehealth approach and specifically these studies. Email me at wendeenicole AT gmail. Thanks!! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com) ~~Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa~~ Turn the page maybe we'll find a brand new ending where we're dancing in our tears - Adam Levine Lost Stars heart emoticon
[ECOLOG-L] trainings in international sustainable development
I am looking for info on any training programs on international sustainable development in Europe or the US (or other parts of Africa) that would be suitable for someone from Uganda who has completed the equivalent of high school but not college. She would attend with me. I just want options and ideas at this point. I¹m training her to work with impoverished communities using the ideals of Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom but I think anything ranging from practical skills permaculture, water sanitation hygiene, tree planting/carbon sequestration work to training in how to facilitate and work with a community to bring them together. I would like the program for myself but want something that would not be too ³over her head². The idea is to help her travel a bit and get experience, in training for more leadership in my nonprofit org here. Any ideas? Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S; Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com) ~~Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa~~ Turn the page maybe we'll find a brand new ending where we're dancing in our tears - Adam Levine Lost Stars heart emoticon
[ECOLOG-L] listservs for sustainable development etc
Does anyone know of any good forums or listservs for things like sustainable development, poverty alleviation, Elinor Ostrom¹s concepts (³Design principles², sustaining the commons livelihoods ecosystems working hand in hand that kind of thing)? Wendee Wendee Nicole, Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation ³Spreading Hope by Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa M.S. Wildlife Ecology * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com)
[ECOLOG-L] RSF: seeking 1-2 volunteers in sustainable/intl development
Please pass along to anyone who might be interested! The Redemption Song Foundation (RSF) is seeking a full-time volunteer to join us in Uganda for 3, 6 or 12 months, beginning summer 2015 (or earlier if you can). This is a full-time all-volunteer position. Join a growing team working on a very exciting project to align environmental sustainability with community livelihoods. We are a small but growing nonprofit with a big vision and a big heart. If grant money becomes available, this could turn into a full-time job down the road. The position involve working with indigenous Batwa pygmies who live in extreme poverty, as well as other marginalized communities. We work holistically to improve quality of life, health, and the environment in the vein of the late Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom¹s ³Design principles.² Any given day, we may be making the steep trek to Karehe village to inventory houses and do community education, take HIV+ women to the hospital to ensure they receive their medicine, supervising latrine digging or mud-house-building, or (this is something we will be doing in the near future) tree planting for carbon sequestration projects RSF wants to get started, or working with Batwa children on our educational ³soup kitchen² day. Computer work may involve working on inventory of baskets and jewelery (part of an income-generating Artisan Co-op), communicating with donors and potential donors, and working on grants. An ideal candidate has a college degree in sustainable development,international development, sanitation engineering, or ecology (with an interest in sustainable livelihoods), some experience with living or at least traveling in developing nations, a positive, can-do attitude and a solid work ethic. I am flexible and we can implement new, innovative projects that the volunteer candidate has a special interest in. For more info about RSF visit http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org, or the Facebook: http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org. After earning a M.S. in Ecology (and ³almost² a Phd in Ecology/Evolutionary Bio), I have worked as an environmental journalist and photographer for nearly 2 decades, and my growing interest in environmental justice issues led me here. A grant from Mongabay brought me to Uganda in Jan/Feb, and not long after, I sold my house in Houston and moved to Uganda permanently in September 2014. RSF is a (US) 501c3 nonprofit organization with our ³base² a few km outside of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to critically endangered mountain gorillas, as well as a small community of indigenous Batwa ³pygmies.² The Batwa are struggling to survive and thrive since the park¹s creation. Here¹s an article I wrote about the situation before I moved here: http://www.takepart.com/feature/2014/11/25/conservation-refugees-of-uganda-b atwa-mountain-gorillas. (Note I didnt come up with that title and don¹t like it!) You will be required to pay your way here (airfares can be as low as $860 from the US to Uganda, plus transport from Kampala to Bwindi, which can be another $450 round trip airfare, or a $400 car hire). Very low-cost or possibly free housing is available. You may be required to pay a small monthly fee for food, though it will be cooked for you, if you wish. RSF headquarters are in a fairly remote village (the nearest bank is 1 hour away, for example), although it is simultaneously a hub for mountain gorilla tourists. and we have no vehicles, there are motorcycles to transport you, and there are several tourist lodges in the vicinity that allow visitors for dinner or drinks. One of the best hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa is right here, Bwindi Community Hospital. The RSF house has solar power, hot water/showers, flush toilets, and everything you need to be comfortable after the sometimes tough field conditions. **Note I am looking also for volunteers in the US who want to help with everything from social media to financial management to grant writing (write yourself a job!) so if you¹re interested, let me know, email me at redemptionsongfoundation AT gmail DOT com. Wendee Wendee Nicole, Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation ³Spreading Hope by Growing Healthy Communities and Sustainable Ecosystems in Africa M.S. Wildlife Ecology * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com)
[ECOLOG-L] Rothschilds giraffes and Murchison Falls NP
Does anyone on the list work on Rothschilds giraffes, or in Murchison Falls Nat Park in Uganda? Ill be visiting there soon and would love to meet up with anyone studying them or any wildlife in the area for possible article ideas. Before that I¹ll be in Adjumani and Arua visiting refugee camps near the S. Sudan and DRC border. That isn¹t an ecology story, but I¹ll have some extra time so if there¹s anyone doing research up there on anything interesting send me an email! (wendeenicole AT gmail) Wendee Wendee Nicole, Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org) M.S. Wildlife Ecology * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com) Write for Magazines! online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] duiker farming in Uganda... looking for contacts info ( Ebola)
Hi esteemed Ecologgers! I have recently moved to Uganda, near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home of half the world¹s mountain gorillas), where I started a small (501c3 pending) nonprofit organization the REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org or http://www.facebook.com/redemptionsongfoundation like us on FB!). The kids are now off to college, so I decided to do something a bit different :) I am looking for collaborators and will soon be applying for grant funding to farm duiker and/or bush pig. This will serve two simultaneous goals: to reduce poaching via snares that injure mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, and to provide much-needed protein to impoverished and malnourished local peoples who have suffered since the park¹s creation eliminated their ability to hunt wild game (this particularly affected the Batwa forest pygmies who were evicted from the forest in 1991). Does anyone know of any contact names of researchers who might be helpful? I know of the Dambari (Duiker and Mini-Antelope Breeding and Research Institute) in Zimbabwe, which I hope to visit if I receive grant funds, but have not been successful yet getting in touch with folks there. I know different duiker species are bred and kept in many zoos, so I know it can be done, and some research suggests they become docile when bred in captivity. Bush pigs have more offspring per litter and locals like the meat even more than duiker, but they also have sharp tusks and I cant tell if anyone has ever bred them successfully. Has anyone worked on duiker or bush pig in the wild or captivity? Or on breeding micro livestock? (there¹s even a book online - http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=030904295X ). One study found that duiker have tested positive for Ebola. I think but do not know for sure if we are breeding them that they would not be exposed to it (the paper suggests that they ³lick² and eat carcasses, and great apes carry Ebola, and the ones in captivity wouldn¹t have any dead Ebola-laden carcasses to lick or eat), so we could theoretically be reducing the chance of bush-meat poachers to introduce a new Ebola breakout into the human population. I am looking for collaborators on this grant, too, and others as we hope to grow the project beyond the initial pilot phase, if successful. There are many steps in the process, but we are just in the initial investigation stages and welcome any feedback. Or grant suggestions! Wendee Wendee Nicole, Founder Director, REDEMPTION SONG FOUNDATION (http://www.redemptionsongfoundation.org) M.S. Wildlife Ecology * Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian (http://www.wendeenicole.com) Write for magazine! online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Leaving science?
After earning my MS, I built an awesome career as a science writer, and even offer an online writing class that teaches scientists how to break into magazines online markets get paid to do it. Www.Wendeenicole.com/nature.htm I don't have class dates up now but plan one for fall. I'm in the process of selling my house (sold in 5 days!) to move to Uganda to start a nonprofit to help impoverished youth, near where the mountain gorillas are at bwindi impenetrable park... Our nonprofit, the Redemption Song Foundation (redemptionsongfoundation.org), will also work on conservation projects! We will need volunteers! Some of the most impoverished are the Batwa pygmies, made conservation refugees when the park was gazetted in 1992... Wendee Sent from my iPhone www.wendeenicole.com On Jul 28, 2014, at 3:36 PM, Allison F. Walston atwals...@gmail.com wrote: Hey everyone I graduated with my MS in ecology earlier this year and I was able to get a temporary job after graduation. However, the job will be ending shortly and they won't be able to make any permanent hires in the foreseeable future. I have a few other irons in the fire, but I am growing increasingly skeptical that any of them will pan out. I know a lot of people are in a similar situation given the job market and I've recently started thinking about looking outside of science. I did well during grad school and gained a lot of analytical skills. However, I can imagine the confusion my grad degree would cause for a potential employer outside of science/biology/conservation. Has anyone else made the decision to leave science shortly after grad school? What sort of things are career paths are worth looking into? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Allison
[ECOLOG-L] Monarch butterfly scientists in Mexico?
I am working on an article (under my Mongabay Special Reporting Initiative grant) about how people have been displaced in the name of conservation (³conservation refugees²) including ³soft evictions² where people stay on the land but their rights of access to local resources are taken away. One example I am seeking an expert on is the Monarch Butterfly reserve in Oaxaca Mexico. Locals (some indigenous) have land tenure but their rights to access the forest were taken away with the reserves creation, without any consultation. As a result (and in line with Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom¹s theory) logging has INCREASED since the certain of the reserve (see this aerial image: http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=8506). I have read research by Anthropologist Catherine Tucker about this, but it was in the 2000s. I would like to talk to someone who is currently working on the butterflies in the region so that I can get an update. I know WWF works there (and can to some extent be ³blamed² for the ill-planned reserve planning that occurred without any consultation with the locals) so I would love to talk to someone with them, or a scientist who can give me the low-down on how logging is continuing or has it reduced lately? Email me at wendeenicole AT gmail DOT com. Thanks! And for old hippies like me (OK I am ³hippie spawn²) check out my latest article Ecotopia Emerging (how research has backed up the utopian hippie classic novel! http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0626-sri-nicole-ecotopia-emerging-agrawal-prof ile.html) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: http://www.wendeenicole.com Adventures Blog: http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com Writing Green ~ online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] One Health feature!
I wanted to share a link to my latest article that is about a movement an ³umbrella concept² called One Health (started in a sense by the Wildlife Conservation Society, though there are many other orgs involved past and presenT) that is sweeping through ecology, vet health, human health, etc. It includes coverage of mountain gorillas, chimps, the Batwa forest pygmies, and lots of cool development projects that help both human and wildlife/ecosystem health. Let me know what you think! Seeing the Forest for the Trees: How ³One Health² Connects Humans, Animals, and Ecosystems http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/122-a122/ (or you can download the PDF which is a nicer view: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/wp-content/uploads/122/5/ehp.122-A122.pdf) Please tweet, share, etc! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: http://www.wendeenicole.com Adventures Blog: http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com Writing Green ~ online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] Celebrating Jane Goodall's 80th /Mongabay Special Reporting Initiatives
I know that I mentioned on here a while back that I received the first Mongabay Prize for Environmental Reporting http://news.mongabay.com/2013/1116-sri01-winner-announced.html , a 6-month grant to report on innovative approaches to tropical forest conservation. My main reporting focus is how Elinor Ostrom¹s Nobel-winning theories can not only help forest conservation but also benefit people¹s livelihoods (of course they can be applied to other ³common pool resources² such as fisheries, as well, but my focus is tropical forests). Several more articles will be coming out in the next weeks and months, but I wanted to belatedly share a couple projects I did surrounding Jane Goodall¹s 80th birthday which was April 3. (she has been a lifelong inspiration of mine since I was in high school in the late 1980s!) I got to interview Dr Jane herself the Sunday before her birthday (on the phone) as she was in transit from Montreal to California. How cool was that?! It wasn¹t the lengthiest interview in the world but it was really amazing to talk to her! That and another ³top 10² list (that has some meat in it, including some very cool projects happening in Africa by the Jane Goodall Institute) are at Animal Planet see links below. * QA with Dr Jane Goodall http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/jane-goodall/jane-goodall-questions-an swers.htm * 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Love Jane Goodall! http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/jane-goodall/photos/jane-goodall-birth day.htm (if link doesn¹t work the URL is: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/jane-goodall/photos/jane-goodall-birthd ay.htm) And I was really happy with how this feature on CBS Smart Planet turned out: How Jane Goodall¹s legacy is alleviating poverty http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/global-observer/how-jane-goodalls-legacy-is -alleviating-poverty/ . (http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/global-observer/how-jane-goodalls-legacy-is -alleviating-poverty/). I highlighted a cool project I saw in the field being facilitated by the Jane Goodall Institute-Uganda. I wanted to also pass along the link to the page that lists the current/open Special Reporting Initiatives, because Mongabay will continue to have these over the next months for writers. Check out http://mongabay.org/special-reporting-initiatives/. You can see one Reporters Journal: The forests of Uganda http://blog.mongabay.com/2014/03/26/reporters-journal-the-forests-of-uganda / I did for the Mongabay blog too And last but not least my next 6-week online writing class is May 24! :) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: http://www.wendeenicole.com Adventures Blog: http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com Writing Green ~ online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] magazine writing class
I have one of my 6-week online writing classes (aka magazine writing boot camp) starting Jan 18, with a signup deadline a week earlier Jan 11. Great Christmas present! :) As I have just received a 6-month Mongabay reporting grant, I may not be teaching it for a while after this, but that's up in the air. It includes several assignments with my feedback (query letter, topic-spoking to generate good angles on story ideas, outdoor observation journal, magazine analysis etc), many editor QAs (High Country News, Audubon, The Daily Climate, Smithsonian, Discover, Yale Environment 360, Conservation, many many more), and a lot of other helpful resources to get you to understand how magazine writing (or writing for online pubs) works, or how to kick your writing up a notch. More info here: www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm Outline here: www.wendeenicole.com/outline.htm Let me know if you have any questions! Wendee (wendeenicole AT nasw dot org) Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: http://www.wendeenicole.com Adventures Blog: http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com Writing Green ~ online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] Mongabay Prize for Environmental Reporting
I thought you all might be interested in seeing this exciting news, since many of you have followed my career from the time I was a wee undergrad. I just found out last week I was awarded Mongabay's first Prize for Environmental Reporting! This is a competitive 6-mo grant that will fund me to travel to explore the question What is the next big idea in tropical biodiversity conservation? I selected the concept of polycentric governance (thanks to Jean-Baptiste Pichancourt who tipped me off to this fascinating important concept) to explore and will report at least 4 stories, including 2 in Uganda (one with mountain gorillas Conservation Through Public Health ctph.org) and one with the Batwa people, 1 in Peru on REDD and how polycentric governance can informs that program overcome some of the resistance to it by indigenous groups, and then one on Nobel prize winner Elinor Ostrom's life and work. I will probably blog at Mongabay along the way still working out the details. Here's the announcement: http://news.mongabay.com/2013/1116-sri01-winner-announced.html And if any of you have any leads in Uganda (decentralization policies etc) or Peru (with REDD projects specifically). I'm already connected with the mountain gorilla folks I was going to report on but I am always open to ideas and thoughts :) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: http://www.wendeenicole.com Adventures Blog: http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com Writing Green ~ online class http://www.wendeenicole.com/nature.htm
[ECOLOG-L] ecology phd advisor advice wanted!
Hello esteemed Ecologgers! I would like to hear good bad experiences of current and past grad students (and postdocs). This is the stuff you can't find online... What advisors do you LOVE, and which do you hate (I will keep that part confidential!!). What university environments and towns do you love, and hate? Granted much is individual, but that's ok. I want to hear experiences, especially the extremes (especially the loves) Even though I have an idea of what I want to research, I have VERY diverse interests in the ideal world it would be combining wildlife research, policy research and poverty alleviation but like I said, that covers a whole lot of ground. I just want to hear experiences! :) I have searched around online but the closest to this kind of info I've found are two sites I'll pass the links along to, in case they're beneficial to others. I haven't found anything on specific academic advisors (understandably) online other than that rate-my-professor site, which is more about teaching (and hotness lol)! Comments on grad school emails to professors: http://biology.nd.edu/assets/31026/comments_on_grad_school_emails_to_profess ors.pdf Responses made on the Survey of Doctoral Education http://www.phd-survey.org/ and Career Preparation for Ecology: http://www.phd-survey.org/advice/ecology.htm Thanks in advance! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Write for magazines! ~ Next online class starts Sep 14, 2013
[ECOLOG-L] payment for ecosystem services - research qs?
I am applying to an interdisciplinary PhD program and am really interested in studying how ecosystem services can help in the area of poverty alleviation. I have nothing totally concrete yet as far as what I want to really dedicate my time to, and am wondering if others have any insight into the biggest open questions in the field? A couple of ideas I've thought of are 1. what factors really make a project work and not work, such as when foreign investment dollars are withdrawn? 2. How to get wetlands included in CA's cap and trade law for C sequestration since new studies show that temperate wetlands specifically sequester even more C than previously thought (maybe than forests? It was work by Bill Mitsch who is pretty well respected - he pioneered ecological engineering). 3. There's a cool new project run through Rice University's SSPEED Center that is setting up a design a computer-based platform to allow the buying and selling of ecological services on the Texas Coast. which is really interesting because it's being done outside of a sort of legal mandate to do so (such as CA's cap and trade law). I don't have a question related to this yet, but am meeting with some of the folks involved next month. Anyway... would love to hear thoughts by others. I will be reading more and more papers in this field, but again, any insight is much appreciated! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Write about science the environment for magazines ~ Online Classes start Aug 3 Sep 14, 2013
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
I wrote a feature for Environmental Health Perspectives about obesogens, and in it I cite at least one study that talks about the increasing weights of lab and other animals (urban, I believe). It also talks about the science behind it, and what is known so far (mostly focusing on humans, but if there's a similar effect on animals I am sure it works in the same ways) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/ Or the PDF: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/pdf/ehp.120-a62.pdf Here's the link to the study that talks about animals Klimentidis YC, et al. Canaries in the coal mine: a cross-species analysis of the plurality of obesity epidemics. Proc R Soc Biol Sci. 2011;278(1712):16261632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.1890. That doesn't answer the question directly but perhaps that scientist or one of the co-authors works on this more regularly or would know the answer Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Write for magazines get paid! Live your dreams! Online Classes start July 27 Sep 7, 2013 On 7/15/13 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don¹t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don¹t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals¹ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can¹t just be that they¹re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
The research shows despite no substantial changes in lab protocols over the past decades, there has been an increase in body weight for lab animals. Wendee Sent from my iPhone www.wendeenicole.com On Jul 15, 2013, at 8:03 PM, Hilit Finkler hilit.fink...@gmail.com wrote: Obesity in lab animals? Is he serious? They don't exercise live in cage 100-1000 time smaller than their natural habitats, are under terrible stress - need i go on? On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don’t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don’t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals’ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can’t just be that they’re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu -- Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
Well that's fine, but at least read the info about obesogens and their mechanism of action (it is legit and there's substantial data about the hypothesis, in humans at least) before discounting that possibility (that endocrine disrupting chemicals are altering the epigenome, creating a generational impact on metabolism, among other mechanisms of action) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Write for magazines get paid! Live your dreams! Online Classes start July 27 Sep 7, 2013 On 7/15/13 10:19 PM, malcolm McCallum malcolm.mccal...@herpconbio.org wrote: Maybe its just Cope's rule in action. Mammals get bigger over evolutionary time... (I don't really believe this, I suspect its just that we select the stronger animals to keep and weed out the weaker ones, weaker ones tend to be smaller, so there would be a general selection [unintentionally] for larger animals due to their more rapid growth allowing them to complete better at an earlier age forcing the less competitive to be even less competitive. Even in captivity this will happen!) On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 9:22 PM, Wendee Nicole holtc...@embarqmail.com wrote: The research shows despite no substantial changes in lab protocols over the past decades, there has been an increase in body weight for lab animals. Wendee Sent from my iPhone www.wendeenicole.com On Jul 15, 2013, at 8:03 PM, Hilit Finkler hilit.fink...@gmail.com wrote: Obesity in lab animals? Is he serious? They don't exercise live in cage 100-1000 time smaller than their natural habitats, are under terrible stress - need i go on? On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don¹t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don¹t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals¹ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can¹t just be that they¹re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu -- Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel -- Malcolm L. McCallum Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry School of Biological Sciences University of Missouri at Kansas City Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive - Allan Nation 1880's: There's lots of good fish in the sea W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Anti-singles discrimination? Re: [ECOLOG-L] Career - Life Balance supplements to NSF awards
I have to admit I was a bit taken aback by the statement of Aaron. If he had said that about minorities and affirmative action, it would be CLEARLY inappropriate. But women are still discriminated against, not just deliberately by institutionally, and the plain facts are that despite women and men showing up equally in grad school in science, women tend to not stay in scientific fields (I think that recent blog post about the Life History of an Ecology PhD was illuminating and mentioned something about this as well), so it is wonderful that the NSF is making strides to help women and families out. I myself would have continued a traditional trajectory in science rather than accidentally going into science writing had I not had a child, and then wanted to stay home and raise that child. I created my own career so I could keep a hand in wildlife/conservation but still stay at home. Then when I went back to get my PhD at Rice in 2003, I ended up having to drop out because of a divorce. Had I had some sort of financial support from NSF (well I had a GRFP, but not help with the kids/childcare), I probably could have stayed. Now that the kids are almost off to college, I can return to a PhD program, and get back to that original career path of conservation and policy work but I may be looked at like an old-lady now among a bunch of 20 and 30 year old students - LOL. Fortunately I am pretty bohemian and youthful :) But I digress. Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts July 20, 2013 - Ask me! On 7/4/13 6:49 AM, David L. McNeely mcnee...@cox.net wrote: Dossey, indeed you do have a life. But with no spouse and no kids, you have no basis for understanding what those who do have kids face in managing to work while managing their families. It is a great loss to science for them to drop out of work, or to have to miss work in order to care for children. This isn't money to hire a baby sitter. It is to allow the working parent a little time off in the early stages of parenthood, while keeping the NSF project he or she has committed to going by hiring a temporary replacement. Not having children, you would not face that concern, and thus would not have that expense. This is sort of like a lot of things going on in society right now. You oppose something that has no effect on you. In Europe, new parents get extended leave. I do not know how that is worked out for ongoing projects. Here, I do know that new parents working at enlightened institutions that provide family leave have found that even with taking the leave, they still had to work in order to keep a project going. They just didn't get paid, and they still had the problems of providing for their family to be cared for. Aaron T. Dossey bugoc...@gmail.com wrote: Sounds like institutionalized discrimination against unmarried people without kids to me. But with nepotism (spousal hires, etc.) running rampant in the ivory tower, I don't expect better in academia. I wonder if I can get some funding to hire a maid or help with various things as such. I am not married and have no kids, but society forgets that people like me still have a LIFE. Some help with laundry and cleaning, maybe some errands now and then, would help me a lot to balance my LIFE and WORK. I don't like the direction this NSF thing is going at all. On 7/3/2013 11:01 PM, David Inouye wrote: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13109/nsf13109.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25WT. mc_ev=clickhttp://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13109/nsf13109.jsp?WT.mc_id=U SNSF_25WT.mc_ev=click Date: July 2, 2013 BACKGROUND Instituted in 2012, NSF's Career-Life Balance (CLB) Initiative is an ambitious, ten-year initiative that will build on the best of family-friendly practices among individual NSF programs to expand them to activities NSF-wide. This agency-level approach will help attract, retain, and advance graduate students, postdoctoral students, and early-career researchers in STEM fields. This effort is designed to help reduce the rate at which women depart from the STEM workforce. Further information on the CLB initiative may be found on the Foundation's website. The primary emphasis of NSF's CLB initiative in FY 2012 was focused on opportunities such as dependent-care issues (child birth/adoption and elder care). These issues initially were addressed through NSF's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program, where career-life balance opportunities can help retain a significant fraction of early career STEM talent. In FY 2013, the Foundation intends to further integrate CLB opportunities through other programs such as the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and postdoctoral fellowship
[ECOLOG-L] EARTH University sustainable ag
I am passing along a link to my latest article because I was SO impressed with the educational model of this unique private university in Costa Rica dedicated to sustainable agriculture and that has a whole culture of sustainability (including being a carbon-neutral university that also certifies local businesses, and builds biodigesters for others and conulsts on all these things). But what really impressed me is their upside down education model. We need more of this! They recruit students from third world nations (mostly Latin America but also Africa) and more than have have 100% scholarship and the rest get more than 50% of their tuition covered. It's funded through a USAID endowment, and was started during the Contra-Sandinista war, and the US wanted to send military $$ and Costa Rica refused it but said they would take $ for education, as they are inclined to do The upside down part means they stick students in the field right away. They go to the banana plantation, or the peri-urban garden, or in the rainforest, or the dairy or pig farm, or work with the biodigesters. They also get $5000 to run a sustainable-ag related company for 2 years By the last 2 years they are in the classroom more. Why don't we have more education like this in the US? Oh, here's the article http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/121-a212/ (PDF mag-layout here http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/wp-content/uploads/121/7/ehp.121-a212.pdf) What do you think of their ecological education model? Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts July 20, 2013 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] Juneau wildlife or conservation stories?
I just booked a flight to Juneau in September, and wanted to see if anyone knew of any wildlife, conservation or ecology related stories in the area that I could look into and maybe write about please email me! Something related to a current study, or a controversy happening, or just anything interesting and cool let me know! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts July 20, 2013 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] JD/PhD programs
Has anyone on the list done a JD/PhD program? If so I would love to pick your brain about the program you attended, and the work you do currently. Not surprisingly I'm interested in environmental law I'm still most interested in the Stanford program but I'm looking into other similar programs! I guess Berkeley and a few schools in OR have really good enviro law programs as well. Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts July 20, 2013 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] banana monocultures wildlife - ref needed!
I have an article coming out July 1 on the quite impressive EARTH University in Costa Rica, and how they've transform the banana industry in that area (their bananas are sold at Whole Foods they're not organic, but they are grown in between shade trees, and they've cut way down on the use of chemicals, etc). Here's where i need your help Anyway, so this pub (Environmental Health Perspectives ehponline.org) requires citations, and I am desperately looking for a study to reference that backs up a statement I made that traditional banana plantations are inhospitable to wildlife (or, at least, have much less wildlife than say a shade-grown plantation). I looked online, ad in Google scholar, and just can't seem to find anything but it seems obvious there MUST be such a study! Any suggestions? Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Classes start Jun 8 July 20, 2013 - Ask me!
Re: [ECOLOG-L] banana monocultures wildlife - ref needed!
Dave (et al) I know it may seem that way from my request, but that's not the case. I know from my two decades of familiarity with ecology literature that monocultures support less biodiversity than intact forest and ag systems with forest. I have seen such studies time and again, and was writing from my knowledge of the overall situation but did not have the literature handy. For example, Rainforest Alliance certifies bananas using certain ag techniques such as allowing forest to grow up in between banana plots, and they wouldn't do this without some evidence that such practices benefit wildlife. Bananas use something like 100 times the pesticide volume compared to a typical US ag plot, and Costa Rica has the highest pesticide use in the WORLD! That clearly is going to have an impact on wildlife… I have referenced the whole industry with more than 50 citations already, but just didnt have one specifically talk about wildlife biodiversity on plantations versus agroforestry systems (perhaps because the latter are rare, and another reason is that there are some studies in Spanish that I wasn't able to access). I did find some studies - thanks very much to those here who pointed some out, in English and Spanish! http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-007-9194-2 for example… If any of you are interested in reading my article, it will appear at http://ehponline.org on July 1! :) Or of course on my website I will include a link www.wendeenicole.com PS I have an online writing class starting July 20 if anyone is interested :) Thanks! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Classes starts July 20, 2013 - Ask me! On 6/24/13 11:16 AM, mcnee...@cox.net mcnee...@cox.net wrote: Wendee, I admire your work, and have for a long time. In this instance, you seem to be looking for support for a position you've taken. But a review of relevant literature might or might not support such a position. What I am trying to say is that in science a position comes after information, not before . You may hypothesize that such a relationship exists. Then the first step is to find out what relevant published information says on the subject. If there is no such published information (a direction you seem to be headed), then no position one way or the other can be supported until the relevant data are in. Maybe in your article, you need to point out what experienced and knowledgeable workers in Costa Rica believe on the subject, and state that you have been unable to find studies that support their beliefs, whatever those beliefs might be. And it seems like here is an area fruitful for investigation by conservationists. :-) David McNeely Wendee Nicole wendeenic...@nasw.org wrote: I have an article coming out July 1 on the quite impressive EARTH University in Costa Rica, and how they've transform the banana industry in that area (their bananas are sold at Whole Foods they're not organic, but they are grown in between shade trees, and they've cut way down on the use of chemicals, etc). Here's where i need your help� Anyway, so this pub (Environmental Health Perspectives ehponline.org) requires citations, and I am desperately looking for a study to reference that backs up a statement I made that traditional banana plantations are inhospitable to wildlife (or, at least, have much less wildlife than say a shade-grown plantation). I looked online, ad in Google scholar, and just can't seem to find anything but it seems obvious there MUST be such a study! Any suggestions? Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Classes start Jun 8 July 20, 2013 - Ask me! -- David McNeely
[ECOLOG-L] carbon offset article
Since I inquired here about people who offset their carbon emissions (and found it virtually impossible to find individuals who did save for a very small few, and most had some business interest in doing so), I thought I'd send a link to the article that came out of this: I'm Carbon Neutral. Are You? A closer look at the voluntary offset market http://ensia.com/features/im-carbon-neutral-are-you/ PS I'm headed to Stanford tomorrow to further investigate my PhD options there thanks again to all for the insight into my career advice email sorry I haven't had time to reply to everyone it's been deadline upon deadline lately! Thanks! Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Classes start Jun 8 July 20, 2013 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] Stanford E-IPER?
Following up to my what do I do with the rest of my life email :) I appreciate all the responses, and I will try to reply to each individually after I finish my deadline (working on a piece on EARTH University in Costa Rica which is an AMAZING place It's a 4-year sustainable ag entrepreneurship university that recruits students from around the world and puts them in the field 1st year, and gives them money to start a business that has to be profitable by their final year). They also grow sustainable, carbon-neutral (other than shipping to US) bananas that they sell to Whole Foods. At any rate, I have decided to apply to the PhD program at Stanford and Berkeley. I'm REALLY turned on by the E-IPER program at Stanford (https://pangea.stanford.edu/programs/eiper/) and it is EXACTLY what I was posting about wanting to combine my love for field work with practical, hands-on solutions to problems. When I was in my former PhD program studying the evolution of cooperation in slime molds, or even the frog hybridization project I tried to get started, it was just too theoretical. So, I'm wondering if anyone has attended there, or is a professor in the departments that are affiliated with E-IPER, and if so I'd love to hear from you. I better get started studying for the GRE unfortunately my scores are outdated :/ Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts Apr 20, 2013 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] need career advice from my esteemed ECOLOG advisors :)
So, as some/many of you know I've been on ECOLOG on and off since about 1993/4 when I was in grad school at Texas AM studying Wildlife Ecology. That was right about the time Al Gore invented the internet. I built a freelance science writing career from that time, and have been what I think is wildly successful. Have had lots of fun. Swung from vines in the Amazon rainforest. Dove with sharks in Australia for Shark Week/Discovery Channel. And got paid to do it. Written about everything from endocrine disruptors to Tasmanian devils' contagious cancer. But, alas, my babies are now teenagers about to graduate high school (in a year), and I'm hitting the empty nest/mid-life crisis point, and know 1 thing: I MUST get the hell out of Texas. Where? I don't know. But this brings me to another dilemma for which I am seeking advice/practical info: I have a love/hate relationship with writing. I want to make more of a difference. I miss field biology. I LOVE wildlife and I also feel passionate about helping in some real, practical way hurting/impoverished people. I have no idea how to bring these two passions together. I think I want a more regular job rather than continuing to be self-employed (tough, as a single person) and yet I worry that despite my very strong educational background and resume/writing experience (plus field bio experience, albeit from years ago) that I am not as marketable as I once was. I'm overqualified and under qualified at the same time. What kind of job would have me, that would use my strengths and passions (writing/communications/field bio) but that isn't entry-level? One on hand I'm eligible and had been interviewed for Director positions in the past, but I don't honestly feel qualified because Ive worked for myself for so long. I know I would do fine in a team of people in an office, but don't feel qualified to run it, for sure. Yet. So do I go back to grad school and get a PhD? (I started at Rice, achieved candidacy but left due to my diviorce, and if I went back it would be a different university, starting over)? And in what? I feel drawn back to Ecology/Evolutionary bio, but also to practical things like maybe I should go to Business School to learn how to start a nonprofit. I was/am drawn to Stanford's Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (https://pangea.stanford.edu/programs/eiper/). Has anyone graduated from there, or work in that program? I also want to travel to Africa have thought of 1. Spending 6 mo to a year in Africa just doing field work to get current experience 2. Buying a small, cheap RV and pimping it out and driving across the US to figure out what to do with the rest of my life 3. Applying to grad school. Am interested in hearing from anyone, wether it's about job opps for the over/underqualified 40-something year old, grad school at this age, etc etc. Wendee (formerly Holtcamp) Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts Apr 20, 2013 - Ask me!
[ECOLOG-L] anyone offset their C footprint?
I am doing a short article on individuals who have chosen to offset their Carbon footprint, and it's due Tuesday, but I thought I'd send a quick message to the list. I sent out a message to several journalist and personal groups I know and got VERY few responses by people who had offset their carbon footprint or individual flights, etc. This sort of surprised me, given that I know a lot of conservation-minded folks. Nevertheless I thought it would be interesting to inquire among this group of ecologists. I already have the quotes I need, I think, for this short piece, but I'm trying to pitch a longer feature to another pub to give a sort of update to the carbon offset market (I am well aware of the criticisms, and issues that the carbon markets have faced). I am just curious to know how many people do it I do or have for three different years. Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts Apr 20, 2013 - Ask me!
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Biologists giving back? Ideas needed
Thank to all for your responses so far. There may be something in all this but to be honest I haven't really hit on exactly what I was looking for in ay of the responses so far. What I was really looking for is something akin to the Time Heroes of the Environment issue. I want to know who are the real leaders out there doing really amazing work, not just a professor taking students on a nature walk. And absolutely it does not need to be focused on academic biologists in any way. Biologists in ANY social endeavor and from any industry or employment not even just in ecology (tho of course on this list, that's where most of you work) - but in some sort of medical or health field, social work, etc both for the vocation or for the volunteering. I got maybe 1 or 2 really solid examples I could dig into but the rest weren't so in line with what I'm looking for. I need names and stories and anecdotes off what people (yourselves or others) are doing projects, etc. Or, perhaps there isn't a story here. I like the idea of biologists who testify before Congress and are involved in various policy endeavors but I need details. When, where, what did you say, and did it make a difference? That kind of thing. :) Wendee (yes, formerly Wendee Holtcamp) Wendee Nicole, M.S. Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [wendeenicole.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts Dec 8, 2012 - Ask me! From: Neahga Leonard naturalistkni...@gmail.com Date: Thursday, November 1, 2012 1:57 PM To: Wendee Nicole wendeenic...@nasw.org Cc: Ecolog ecolog-l@listserv.umd.edu Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Biologists giving back? Ideas needed Another good place to look is on town Conservation Commissions. I worked with many of them in Vermont. In that state nearly all the conservation commissions are staffed by volunteers and many of the people have a biology or ecology background (though not all). Many of the conservation initiatives such as Two Countries One Forest or Algonquin to Adirondacks Conservation Association are comprised nearly entirely of volunteers as well. Nearly all of my friends and associates involved biology/ecology do something on the side ranging from educational volunteering to providing free advice to municipalities to staffing food kitchens and much more. I'd echo what some of the other folks have said about finding a focus for the question. There is a lot that people are doing outside of their paid positions. Neahga Leonard On Wed, Oct 31, 2012 at 8:08 PM, J. Michael Nolan mno...@rainforestandreef.org wrote: Wendee Great question, but I suspected you were going to get some of these responses coming in. I suggest you come up with something more specific in how to measure this contribution you want to write about. In short, I think most Educators would like to hear that their Students became Biologists of any kind and would thank them forever for their influence. I get comments from former Students, not all Biologists, but they still comment about the class they had with me. It feels good. So, not every Student the Science Educators on this list or in general will every become a Scientist of any type. I have led groups personally since the age of 20 to many places. Many of those people were not Science oriented from day 1 and are not Scientists of any kind today. We still send groups/individuals to many parts of this amazing Planet. Educators want some of their Students to become famous Tropical Ecologists in some cases. Not a bad goal and I understand. Not going to happen! Still life-altering experiences, they look at their surroundings, their life-style, conversations with others, trying to figure out who to vote for, etc., etc. with a different and more informed angle. I have led groups and told me they still hate Biology, but they had a different grasp on life in general and they were thrilled to have had the chance to participate. Know you are an excellent writer, measuring this issue is going to get arguments from all sides. Am just guessing that the diversity in answers could add substance to your article. I know you will, but please tell it from both sides. Often they will have the same kind of impact. Educators on this list do some amazing things and just because you are not a U. level Professor with a Ph.D. and working with an NGO,etc. doesn't mean they are not making a contribution. Thanks for your timeprobably telling you things that you already knew. You have traveled, but let me emphasize, making an educational contribution to our Planet does not always require a Ph.D. or in some cases, not even a HS diploma. I would agree 100% with the comments I have included below. We also work with many NGO's in other parts of the world that supply us with People that stun me on a daily basis with their local
[ECOLOG-L] Biologists giving back? Ideas needed
I am working on a story idea about ways that biologists give back to society in a way that is above and beyond simply doing research. It CAN be a research project if it has a strong influence on the local community, or on policy, etc. If you have any examples of individuals doing something, whether it's a the project, or someone doing something on the side, or working with Congress to get some legislation passed that is important and under-appreciated, or anything else, send me the ideas and the folks who are involved's contact info! Wendee As a writer, you are often asking your mind to dream while awake - Aimee Bender Wendee Nicole, M.S. Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [wendeenicole.com] Blog: [bohemianadventures.blogspot.com] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Online Magazine Writing Class starts Dec 8, 2012 - Ask me!
