NCSU Study Demonstrates Value of State Parks

Posted on January 17, 2014 by

For the third straight year attendance at North Carolina state parks and state recreation areas hovered at a record level with 14.2 million visits. Travelers spent an average of $23.56 per day to enjoy the parks. And the total economic impact of the state parks system is more than $400 million.

How do we know? Because a team of professors, grad students and undergrads in NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management have been conducting surveys across the state and analyzing the collected data since last Spring. The study was funded by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Recreation Resources Service.

The big take away for NC’s citizens and leaders?
Our state parks make a strong contribution to North Carolina’s tourism economy, as well as the economies of the local communities in which they’re located!

Learn More>>>

Increase in Human-Alligator Encounters Spurs Student Research

Posted on December 20, 2013 by

It’s becoming more and more common these days to run into an alligator, whether near your home, in the park, or somewhere else. Now wildlife researchers in Raleigh are interested in finding out why.

North Carolina State University student Lindsey Garner spent this summer and last summer counting alligators in the swamps, rivers, and marshes of eastern North Carolina so researchers can estimate the state’s current alligator population.

Garner’s research will inform alligator management planning by the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission. She is a graduate student in NC State’s College of Natural Resources.

See the complete story on WNCT9>>

New Graduates Honored

Posted on December 18, 2013 by

Following the university-wide commencement ceremony this morning, Dean Mary Watzin will award diplomas to 218 summer and winter graduates of the NC State University College of Natural Resources at the Jane S. McKimmon Center in Raleigh. The college will award 63 graduate degrees and 155 undergraduate degrees.

Professor of Practice Mickey Fearn will deliver the commencement address and one student from each of our 3 departments will address their fellow graduates. The student speakers are – Jensen Reece Sales (Forest Biomaterials), Gretchen Louise Stokes (Forestry & Environmental Resources), and David Sean Gamble (Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management).

A graduation gift from the NC State Natural Resources Foundation will be presented to each graduate by foundation president, Art Raymond. Departmental receptions will follow the diploma ceremony.

Congratulations to the graduates and new alumni of the College of Natural Resources and to their families. View the diploma ceremony program for a complete list of graduates>>

Go Green | Next Steps

Posted on December 12, 2013 by rwgonzal

Lauryn, an Environmental Technology and Management student, attended GREENBUILD 2013 to learn more about sustainability.

Lauryn Coombs, junior in Environmental Technology and Management, grew in her involvement and enthusiasm for sustainability after attending GREENBUILD NATION 2013 in Philadelphia, PA. Through a scholarship from the United States Green Building Council, she was able to thrive in this environment as she was surrounded by a variety of attendees ranging in backgrounds from academia to the business world. These individuals gathered for one common purpose…to learn and share knowledge about sustainability.

The conference offered everyone opportunities to trade business cards, learn about USGBC’s efforts and progress worldwide and connect with a variety of professionals at all stages. Hilary Clinton’s keynote on the importance and positive impact of Green Building on our communities and a Bon Jovi concert were just a few highlights from the event.

This opportunity confirmed Lauryn’s unique interest in combining her degree in Environmental Technology and Management with her minor in Landscape Architecture to pursue a career in sustainable design. Her advisor, Linda Taylor, has offered her the ability to carefully plan her coursework to align with her interests and career goals.

The attendees that received a scholarship to attend GREENBUILD 2013.

In addition, Lauryn is the USGBC Co-President and is helping to lead the NC State Student Chapter of USGBC, so feel free to contact her if interested in becoming more involved. The group plans to have a meeting the first Friday of each month beginning in January, and you can also follow their events on Facebook (NCSU USGBC Student Group).

Clearing the Waters | Phytoremediation

Posted on December 12, 2013 by rwgonzal

Claire Basista, an Environmental Technology and Management student, with her research team

Environmental Technology and Management students, Claire Basista, Kevin Heavner, Deion Oakes and Stacy Freeman, have been working with Dr. Elizabeth Nichols and Dr. Dennis Hazel to use phytoremediation at the Tidewater Research Station in Plymouth, NC.

With the heavy influence of the aquaculture industry on water, it has become increasingly important for waters to be drained periodically to eliminate effluents (produced during the life of the fish). The NC Division of Water Quality will no longer allow current practices that force the ecosystem to respond to the addition of the substances and/or lead to suffering habitats; however, there are not new treatment options in place at this time. Without new treatment solutions, this team of students and faculty are working together to test the trees to remediate and dilute these effluents into the air.

Deion Oakes, an Environmental Technology and Management student, in the process of using a tree to help eliminate effluents from the water at the Tidewater Research Station in Plymouth, NC

The team used planted species including: hybrid poplar, cottonwood, cherry-bark oak, bald cypress, loblolly pine, green ash and sweet gum to see which type(s) of trees handle and remediate polluted waters most effectively. Working with Dr. Nichols and Dr. Hazel, the group has been working to compare tree species productivity to the same species grown on other irrigation sites (i.e. municipal wastewater application sites).

Through this experience, the students have accepted the challenge to apply the technical knowledge of their curriculum to the practical experience of field work in an effort to become more well-rounded, informed and capable to jump into their career field upon graduation.