Claudia Luke

We will develop a network of investigators dedicated to developing transformative virtual field experiences for lower division underserved and underrepresented students at Community Colleges (CCs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges (TC), and other institutions that serve these students. The Research Coordination Network for Undergraduate Virtual Experiences as a Recruitment Tool for Underrepresented Students in STEM will make field biology experiences accessible through virtual technologies.

Under this Agreement, SSU will provide research and investigation services to improve the effectiveness of Sonoma Water's stream maintenance, water supply, energy, and sanitation services. In addition, SSU will train students in water research techniques, develop water-related research grants for SSU faculty, and conduct a water research symposium for faculty and students.

This project partners six organizations to reduce wildfire risk to people and nature by conducting ecologically informed mechanical fuels management on ~2,000 acres at 12 public and protected sites in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across Sonoma County and southern Mendocino County. Ecologically informed fuels removal, prescribed grazing, and prescribed fire will be conducted on approx. 500 ac and 15 miles of road and trail. All sites provide significant public benefits including programs for under-served or disadvantaged communities.

This project sets the stage to establish the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve as a prescribed burn demonstration site for fuel reduction, ecological and cultural objectives. Through on-going public events, the site will give community members first-hand experience comparing these approaches, and gaining the knowledge and skills needed by the community to re-introduce prescribed fire as a land management tool in southern Mendocino County.

The purpose of this Task Order is for the SSU to provide technical professional services to West Yost for the City of Ukiah/Russian River Watershed Association (RRWA) Task Order #3 contract 592-60-22-15 as follows:

This project will continue the research started in Phase One on a long-term monitoring network on west coast powerline Rights-of-Ways (ROWs). Vegetation management needed to maintain safety in powerline ROWs has significant effects on local ecosystems.  The main goals of this Phase Two study are 1) To allow all sites at the “West Coast Observing Network” to obtain a full three years of pollinator and vegetation observations, 2) To continue to train students in current environmental issues and 3) To help improve the understanding of ecosystem recovery after wildfires.

Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML) need rapid support to create meaningful alternative field experiences that can help fulfill graduation requirements and prepare undergraduates and graduates for future careers. With a global distribution of 918 terrestrial, coastal, and marine stations (NRC 2014) and a 75% affiliation rate with universities, FSMLs are in a unique position to respond to this need.

The WATERS Collaborative enhances watershed management needs and academic training of students. Our goals are to: