Living on the forefront of conservation.
Living at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute campus is an experience like none other. From the views of the Blue Ridge on Racetrack Hill to the sounds of the Whooping cranes, the moment you pass through the gate, you enter a place that is devoted to one goal: conservation.
When applying to the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation, I had multiple goals in mind. I wanted to get my feet wet (figuratively and literally) by working in the field, meeting scientists, and finding what I truly want to focus on in the field of conservation.
George Mason’s environmental science program has a multitude of courses within the required curriculum that involve fieldwork such as stream monitoring and tree identification; however, this is just scratching the surface of fieldwork, especially in conservation. One of the main reasons I wanted to come to SMSC was to get field experience in areas that are more fitting to my interests, such as forests, like the ones found in Shenandoah National Park. In the Conservation Biology Society program at SMSC, I will be exposed to many different types of fieldwork, allowing me to narrow down the specific type of fieldwork I may want to pursue in the future.
One of the greatest opportunities offered at SMSC is the ability to with and around scientists who are on the cutting edge of conservation. Within the first week at SMSC we were introduced to multiple scientists who are currently researching and working on projects that are brand new to the field of conservation. After the lectures given by the scientists, we have the ability to speak with them one-on-one to learn more about their research. I hope to continue to attend as many talks as I can throughout the semester to continue to discover new areas of that I can focus on in my specific path in conservation.
Through the curriculum and opportunities offered here at SMSC, I hope to find a path that fits me and my goals for conservation. Currently my focus is in land use ecology, GIS, and environmental policy. I want to grow my knowledge and skills within these areas and find an area of research that involves all of these focus areas.
The theme for my blog this semester will be innovations in conservation that I discover through talks, classes, and field trips.
Compton Peak, first hike of the semester at Shenandoah National Park.