Biology – 鶹Ƶ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:58:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-favicon_logo-32x32.jpg Biology – 鶹Ƶ 32 32 Educational Material for Thompson Woods Preserve /projects/educational-material-for-thompson-woods-preserve/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 19:39:02 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=19469 Read More... from Educational Material for Thompson Woods Preserve

]]> Thompson Woods Preserve (TWP) is a 43.36-acre natural area consisting of trails and natural ecological features. This public preserve offers a unique natural setting within walking distance of the surrounding urban environment of downtown State College and the Pennsylvania State University. TWP property is jointly owned by College Township and the Borough of State College. The preserve operates under normal municipal park rules in addition to having specific regulations set forth to protect the natural habitat. The TWP Committee considers education as a preventative tool in maintaining the preserve and to protect it from influences that could disrupt its biodiversity, the forest and watershed attributes. Students’ work provide information and research on the relationship of invasives at TWP, its emerging relationships and threats, as well as best management practices.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Leana Topper
Teaching Professor of Biology
lvm12@psu.edu
814-863-6920

]]> Analysis of Soil and Water Reuse at Little Leaf Farm /projects/analysis-of-soil-and-water-reuse-at-little-leaf-farm/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 19:19:58 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=19465 Read More... from Analysis of Soil and Water Reuse at Little Leaf Farm

]]> Little Leaf Farms, a hydroponic greenhouse operation that grows lettuce, occupies about 160 acres of land on a mountaintop near Hazleton, PA. Its greenhouses do not cover all the land  and its operation produces nutritious peat and ‘waste’ water – water enriched with nutrients for growing the lettuce. Little Leaf is interested in learning how to utilize these byproducts towards its ultimate goals of sustainable campus beautification over the next 5-10 years post greenhouse construction. For this projects students’ research include analysis of water and soil and identification of appropriate plants tolerant of these conditions. Research also include best practices for the establishment of a pollinator meadow or any other recommendations.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Mary Ann Smith
Lecturer, Biology, Penn State Schuylkill
mvs14@psu.edu

]]> Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute /projects/cottonwood-crossing-summer-institute/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:02:08 +0000 /?post_type=projects&p=18677 Read More... from Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute

]]> Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute (CCSI) is a week-long residential field studies program for high school students held in Cottonwood Canyon State Park. Participants choose from course options where they learn about locally significant cultural or natural resources. Projects are led by EOU faculty, EOU student interns, and other regional professionals.

]]> Acciones para favorecer la educación para la salud y ambiental en comunidades de zonas costeras del municipio Manzanillo /projects/acciones-para-favorecer-la-educacion-para-la-salud-y-ambiental-en-comunidades-de-zonas-costeras-del-municipio-manzanillo/ /projects/acciones-para-favorecer-la-educacion-para-la-salud-y-ambiental-en-comunidades-de-zonas-costeras-del-municipio-manzanillo/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:40:34 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/acciones-para-favorecer-la-educacion-para-la-salud-y-ambiental-en-comunidades-de-zonas-costeras-del-municipio-manzanillo/ Read More... from Acciones para favorecer la educación para la salud y ambiental en comunidades de zonas costeras del municipio Manzanillo

]]> El acceso a la salud y el gozar de ella es un requisito básico que nos permite construir una sociedad más equitativa ya justa para el cuidado y protección del medio ambiente. Constituyen condiciones indispensables para el bienestar de las personas y uno de los componentes fundamentales para la prosperidad y el desarrollo de las comunidades costeras de Manzanillo. El abordaje de las problemáticas relacionadas con la Educación para la Salud y el cuidado del Medio Ambiente, un tema que en la actualidad, por su importancia, es abordado por varios autores y es un problema para las entidades gubernamentales. Éstas temáticas son un reto imprescindible en las nuevas circunstancias del desarrollo económico y social de nuestro pais

]]> /projects/acciones-para-favorecer-la-educacion-para-la-salud-y-ambiental-en-comunidades-de-zonas-costeras-del-municipio-manzanillo/feed/ 0 Examining Urban Agriculture as a Stormwater Best Management Practice /projects/examining-urban-agriculture-as-a-stormwater-best-management-practice-3/ /projects/examining-urban-agriculture-as-a-stormwater-best-management-practice-3/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:37:32 +0000 https://portal.epicn.org/case-stories/examining-urban-agriculture-as-a-stormwater-best-management-practice/ Read More... from Examining Urban Agriculture as a Stormwater Best Management Practice

]]> The Freshwater Society’s (FWS) Master Water Stewards (MWS) program develops, certifies, and supports community volunteer leaders to manage stormwater at a neighborhood scale to improve water quality. As part of the training program, MWS complete a capstone project in their watershed to infiltrate stormwater into the ground. MWS can use the MIDS calculator to determine reductions in stormwater volume and pollutant loads for stormwater BMPs they install. FWS would like to examine how urban agriculture (which is becoming increasingly popular in urban areas) may function as a stormwater BMP and how it could be integrated into the MIDS calculator.

]]> The Freshwater Society’s (FWS) Master Water Stewards (MWS) program develops, certifies, and supports community volunteer leaders to manage stormwater at a neighborhood scale to improve water quality. After a successful pilot, the FWS is preparing to expand the MWS program to watershed districts and cities state-wide. As the program expands, the FWS needs to provide a means for Stewards to keep track of their work (e.g., hours, who they interact with, projects they develop) as well as the effects of their work on reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality. The FWS would also like to document and deliver these results to participating governmental units in a way that adds value to their current system for stormwater reporting/permitting. Students in System Analysis and Design II will 1) use a user-centered design approach to capture requirements and create a prototype application for Stewards to track their work and projects, and 2) conduct interviews with staff and external groups to ensure the prototype is able to be integrated with existing stormwater calculators and other tools to track effects of projects on stormwater runoff. This tracking app will also contribute to FWS’ broader goal of providing evidence that education to the public about water quality improves water resources.

Project Overview Poster
Project Film
Partner Outcomes
FWS is now working with an app developer to complete the project.
Students’ work on the prototype saved FWS an estimated $15,000, and the project is now a year ahead of schedule.

]]> The City of Elk River has not investigated its position on climate change and adaptation or its potential effects on the ecology and landscape of the city. Using climate models, Conservation Biology students will explore potential effects of climate change on specific tree species, focusing on street trees. Students will examine how climate change may affect current tree species in Elk River, including trees that are slated to be planted or are donated to Elk River. Students will also provide recommendations for future plantings that will adapt well to potential climate changes and outline future changes the city may face in their urban canopy and tree management needs. Also, more generally, students may examine how Elk River could become certified as a “Tree City USA.” The Parks and Recreation Department and the Environmental Division may review the recommendations and take the information to the Energy City Commission and City Council for consideration. Planning and adaptation now can reduce climate change in the future. This is beneficial to the health of our environment, business, residents, and city government.

Project Overview Poster
City Outcomes
Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District and Elk River’s Parks and Recreation and Streets staff will use students’ work to determine the most resilient tree species to plant in the community to ensure a healthy tree canopy for years to come.
This information will also be published for residents and will be included in Elk River’s Complete Streets Policy.

Sustainable Communities Partnership Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Sami Nichols
Biology

ksnichols@stthomas.edu
6519627227

Local Government / Community Contact
Kristin Mroz

Enviornmental Technician

]]> Chaska Solar Fields /projects/chaska-solar-fields-2/ /projects/chaska-solar-fields-2/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:35:47 +0000 https://portal.epicn.org/case-stories/chaska-solar-fields/ Read More... from Chaska Solar Fields

]]> Evaluate three parcels in Chaska that have been identified as potential sites for a solar field. Results of this project will lead to development of renewable green power to serve Chaska residents and the municipal utility.

]]> Determine options for integrating renewable energy sources into Carver County government buildings, including the government center in Chaska and the public works building in Cologne.

]]> The City of Elk River is working to improve water quality in its lakes and rivers. As a part of this effort, Elk River is examining the overall management of Lake Orono to build a better understanding of the lake as a whole. Environmental Problem Solving students will build upon the work of Aquatic Biology students from Fall 2016. Students will refine and expand models of pollutant levels in Lake Orono after rainfall events. This work will help Elk River predict the chance that levels of pollutants will reach thresholds requiring the lake to be closed to swimming.

Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.

Sustainable Communities Partnership Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Chip Small
Environmental Science

gaston.small@stthomas.edu
6519625166

Local Government / Community Contact
Brandon Wisner

Stormwater Coordinator

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