(155,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Donate-F.jpg','xhtml','/donate/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(156,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Jobs-LinkedinRev1.jpg','xhtml','/courses/summer_research/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(157,1,1,'<h1>\n	Land Resources Analyst Certificate</h1>\n<p>\n	The purpose of the Land Resources Analyst Certificate is to certify students as having proficiency in occupational skills in land resources interpretation, assessment, inventory, and management- skills required for planning, resource management, and related positions with employers such as township and county planning agencies, county zoning offices, departments of natural resources, private planning and engineering firms, and firms engaged in landscape architecture.</p>\n<h2>\n	Course Requirement</h2>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		One course in land resources, land stewardship ecology, or town and country planning, with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One of the following: 301, 303, 304, 310, 343, 362, 367, 482 with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One course from the following, with a minimum of 90 contact hours: Physical geography, soils, hydrology, general geology, field geology, geomorphology, environmental geology.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in ecology, ecological agriculture, or development and ecological sustainability with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n</ol>\n<h2>\n	Occupational Techniques Requirement&#8232;</h2>\n<p>\n	This requirement is met through course work and proficiency tests administered by the faculty of the Institute.</p>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		<em>Remote Sensing and Photographic Interpretation Techniques, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS)</em> &#8232;<br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in managing geographic information systems and ability to use satellite and aircraft imagery in interpreting and mapping land forms, vegetation types, and urban development.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Field Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in use of topographic maps, aerial imagery, and geographical positioning systems (GPS) for orientation and other purposes under field conditions. Must demonstrate proficiency in dominant species identification and classification of biotic communities and ecosystems.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Laboratory Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in overlay mapping techniques applied to land resources planning, management, and decision-making.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Literature and Information </em><br />\n		Techniques&#8232;Must demonstrate proficiency in identification, location, procurement, and use of planning and management documents of public and private agencies. Must demonstrate proficiency in preparing land resources maps and integrating them with non-technical, accurate text for use in policy-making and planning.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Computing and Information Processing Techniques</em>&#8232;<br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers in ecological and geographic and geo-referenced data management and analysis, spreadsheet modeling, and word-processing.</li>\n</ol>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(158,1,1,'<h1>\n	Water Resources Analyst Certificate</h1>\n<p>\n	The purpose of the Water Resources Analyst Certificate is to certify students as having proficiency in occupation skills in water resources interpretation, assessment, inventory, and management - skills required for planning, resource management, and related positions with employers such as township and county planning agencies, county zoning departments, soil and water conservation agencies, state departments of natural resources, planning and engineering firms, lake-owners associations, and governmental lake districts.</p>\n<h2>\n	Course Requirements</h2>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		One course in limnology, wetland ecology, or water resources with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in aquatic biology, stream and watershed ecology, marine invertebrates or marine biology, with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in analytical or environmental chemistry with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;d. One of the following: Course number 303, 304, 310, 367, 482 with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n</ol>\n<h2>\n	Occupational Techniques Requirement&#8232;</h2>\n<p>\n	This requirement is met through coursework and proficiency tests administered by the faculty of the Institute.</p>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		<em>Sampling and Measurement Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in aquatic resources sampling techniques including use of grab samplers, plankton nets, seines, conductivity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen meters, transparency and light apparatus, and electronic thermometer.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Field Techniques</em><br />\n		&#8232;Must demonstrate proficiency in use of topographic and bathymetric maps, nautical charts, aerial photographs, digital imagery, and geographical positioning systems (GPS) for orientation and other purposes under field conditions. Must demonstrate proficiency in management, transport, and safety techniques for use of boats and canoes.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Laboratory Techniques</em><br />\n		&#8232;Must demonstrate proficiency in standard methods of water resources analysis including microscopy, titrimetric methods, spectrometric methods, gravimetric methods, and bacterial analysis. Must demonstrate competence in laboratory management and safety procedures, including methods of treatment, storage, and disposal of chemical and hazardous wastes. Must demonstrate proficiency in aquaria and captive aquatic organism management.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Literature and Information Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of EPA Standard Methods and the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater as published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation, including thorough knowledge of its General Introduction.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Computing and Information Processing Techniques</em><br />\n		&#8232;Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers in ecological, geographic and geo-referenced data management and analysis, spreadsheet modeling, and word-processing.</li>\n</ol>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(159,1,1,'<h1>\n	Environmental Analyst Certificate</h1>\n<p>\n	The purpose of the Environmental Analyst Certificate is to certify students as having proficiency in occupational skills in land and water resources interpretation, assessment, inventory, and management- skills required for planning, resource management, and related positions with employers such as township and county planning agencies, county zoning departments, soil and water conservation agencies, state departments of natural resources, planning and engineering firms, and firms engaged in landscape architecture.</p>\n<h2>\n	Course Requirements</h2>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		One course in land resources, land stewardship ecology, biosphere science or field geology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in water resources, limnology or environmental chemistry with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in ecology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		One of the following: 303, 304, 310, 343, 471, 482 with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n</ol>\n<h2>\n	Occupational Techniques Requirement&#8232;</h2>\n<p>\n	This requirement is met through coursework and proficiency tests administered by the faculty of the Institute.</p>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		<em>Sampling and Measurement Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in aquatic resources sampling techniques including use of grab samplers, plankton nets, seines, conductivity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen meters, transparency and light apparatus, and electronic thermometer.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Remote Sensing and Photographic Interpretation Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in using satellite and aircraft imagery in interpretation and mapping of land forms, water bodies, vegetation types, and urban development. Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of equipment employed in such mapping.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Field Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in use of topographic and bathymetric maps, nautical charts and aerial photographs for orientation and other purposes under field conditions. Must demonstrate proficiency in dominant species identification and classification of biotic communities and ecosystems.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Laboratory Techniques&#8232;</em><br />\n		Must demonstrate proficiency in overlay mapping techniques applied to land and water resources planning, management, and decision-making. Must demonstrate proficiency in standard methods of water resources analysis including microscopy, titrimetric methods, spectrometric methods, gravimetric methods of treatment, storage, and disposal of chemical and hazardous wastes.&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Literature and Information Techniques</em><br />\n		&#8232;Must demonstrate proficiency in identification, location, procurement, and use of planning and management documents of public and private agencies. Must demonstrate proficiency in preparing analog and digital land and water resources maps and integrating them with non-technical, accurate text for use in policy-making and planning. Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of EPA Standard Methods and the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation, including thorough knowledge of its General Introduction (Parts 100-108).&#8232;&#8232;</li>\n	<li>\n		<em>Computing and Information Processing Techniques</em><br />\n		&#8232;Must demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers in ecological and geographic and geo-referenced data management and analysis, spreadsheet modeling, and word-processing.</li>\n</ol>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(160,1,1,'<h1>\n	Stewardship Ecologist Certificate</h1>\n<p>\n	The purpose of the stewardship ecologist certificate is to develop proficiency in vocational and occupational skills in stewardship ecology &ndash; skills required for the application of scientific and ethical principles in the conduct of environmental stewardship. It is designed to meet the need for stewardship ecologists and related positions with employers and service agencies such as natural areas conservancy organizations, departments of natural resources, local governments, planning agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), ecological missions, churches, and denominations. It also is designed to provide the opportunity to do advanced post-baccalaureate work in Christian environmental stewardship.</p>\n<h2>\n	General Requirements</h2>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		A baccalaureate degree program at a liberal arts college or university approved by the Institute.</li>\n	<li>\n		An approved major field of study at a liberal arts college or university with an average grade of B or better in the major field of study.</li>\n	<li>\n		An average grade of B or better for courses taken at the Institute.</li>\n	<li>\n		A minimum of four approved courses taken in residence at the Institute for a minimum of 360 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		A minimum of four field courses totaling a minimum of 300 contact hours to be made up of courses from either or both the college and the Institute. (A field course is one in which 50% or more of the contact hours are spent in out-of doors situations. The remaining 50% or less of the contact hours is spent in classrooms, laboratories, government buildings, fish hatcheries, etc.)</li>\n	<li>\n		A minimum of one applied course with a minimum of 45 contact hours. (An applied course is one in which 40% or more of the contact hours is devoted to applications and techniques which are routinely used in occupational and vocational work.)</li>\n	<li>\n		A minimum of two interdisciplinary courses each with a minimum of 45 contact hours. (An interdisciplinary course is one in which no more than 40% of the contact hours is derived from subject matter from a single traditional liberal arts department of field of study. Examples of such departments and fields of study are biology, political science, chemistry, history, physics, geology, and literature.)</li>\n</ol>\n<h2>\n	Minimum Course Requirement:</h2>\n<ol>\n	<li>\n		One course in restoration ecology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in conservation biology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in plant ecology with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		Three courses from ecology, natural history, field biology, field botany, field geology, and field courses on specific animal and plant groups, not including introductory 100-level courses, with a minimum of 270 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in environmental ethics or stewardship, with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		One course in ecological agriculture, global development, or practical stewardship, with a minimum of 90 contact hours.</li>\n	<li>\n		A minimum of 4 courses and 360 contact hours following achievement of an undergraduate degree.</li>\n</ol>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(175,1,6,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_4}Sidebar-Testimonials.jpg','xhtml','/courses/testimonials/','none','','none','[109] Wish List\r[110] Water Resources Analyst Certificate\r[111] Ways to Support ASI\r[112] Student Life\r[114] Summer Research\r[115] Summer Session I\r[116] Summer Session II - Great Lakes\r[117] Summer Session II - Pacific Rim\r[118] Testimonials\r[119] Testimonials\r[120] Staff\r[121] Stewardship Ecologist Certificate\r[171] About\r[172] Participating Institutions\r[173] Participating Institutions\r[174] Register\r[175] FAQ\r[176] Donor Profiles\r[184] January Term\r[185] May Term\r[186] Costs and Financial Aid\r[191] Blog\r[192] News','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(176,1,7,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_6}about-header1.jpg','xhtml','[122] About\r[123] Mission\r[124] History\r[125] Staff\r[126] Board\r[128] FAQ\r[129] Partnerships\r[130] Participating Institutions','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(177,1,7,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_6}students-header1.jpg','xhtml','[131] Participating Institutions\r[132] Campuses\r[133] Great Lakes\r[134] Pacific Rim\r[135] India\r[136] Student Life\r[137] Students\r[138] Course Information\r[139] Costs and Financial Aid\r[140] Certificate Programs\r[141] Naturalist Certificate\r[142] Land Resources Analyst Certificate\r[143] Water Resources Analyst Certificate\r[144] Stewardship Ecologist Certificate\r[145] Environmental Analyst Certificate\r[146] Summer Research\r[147] Faculty and Fellows\r[148] Academic Advisory Council\r[149] Quick Facts\r[150] Testimonials\r[177] Register\r[178] Costa Rica\r[179] January Term\r[180] May Term\r[181] Summer Session I\r[182] Summer Session II - Great Lakes\r[183] Summer Session II - Pacific Rim','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(178,1,7,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_6}alumniandgradfellows-header-2.jpg','xhtml','[151] Alumni Updates\r[152] Alumni and Grad Fellows\r[153] Job Postings\r[155] Donate\r[190] Update My Contact Information','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(179,1,7,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_6}church-and-community-rev1.jpg','xhtml','[156] Community Schools Program\r[157] Conferences and Retreats\r[158] Church and Community\r[159] Pacific Rim Institute','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(180,1,7,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_6}news-and-resources-header-flopped.jpg','xhtml','[160] News\r[161] News and Resources\r[162] Newsletters\r[163] Blog\r[164] Books and Publications\r[170] Photo Gallery','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(181,1,7,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_6}donate-header-revised.jpg','xhtml','[165] Donate\r[166] Ways to Support ASI\r[167] Wish List\r[168] Testimonials\r[169] Donor Profile','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(182,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(183,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(184,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(185,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(186,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Calvin College','none','dld9@calvin.edu','none','','none','(616) 526-8578 ','none','<p>\n	Dr. Dornbos teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/may_term/#Field%20Natural\">Field Biology in Spring</a>&nbsp;course at the Great Lakes Campus during May Term. He received a B.S. in Biology from Calvin College, M.S. in Crop Production and Physiology from Ohio State University, and Ph.D. in Crop Production and Physiology from Iowa State University.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}david-dornbos.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0003','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Prior to teaching at Calvin College, he worked for 15 years at Syngenta Seeds, ultimately becoming Global Head of Seed Production Research. David&rsquo;s research includes work on utilizing green space for carbon sequestration and understanding the characteristics that allow invasive shrub species to thrive, specifically glossy buckthorn and autumn olive.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}Dornbos-CurriculumVitae2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(187,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Grand Valley State University ','none','evanstim@gvsu.edu','none','','none','(616) 331-8704','none','<p>\n	Dr. Evans teaches our new <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Molecular%20Tools\">Molecular Tools for the Field Biologist</a> course at the Great lakes Campus during Summer Session I. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Botany from the University of Wyoming and Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}tim-evans.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0004','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	His research involves the use of both molecular (DNA sequence data and other molecular markers) and morphological data to determine phylogenetic relationships among plants. Most of his work involves members of the monocot families Commelinaceae (Wandering Jew, Asiatic dayflower, etc.) and Bromeliaceae (pineapple family).</p>\n<p>\n	He is currently collaborating with professors at the University&nbsp;of&nbsp;Wyoming and the Universidade Federal do&nbsp;Rio de Janeiro,&nbsp;Brazil on a comprehensive study of phylogenetic relationships among members of subfamily Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae).&nbsp;As part of this project, he&rsquo;s exploring the relationship between adaptive radiation and molecular evolution within the subfamily.&nbsp;Additionally, this work is shedding new light on the impacts that extinction rates may have on phylogenetic reconstruction.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}Evans-CV2010.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(188,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'University of Michigan – Dearborn','none','ogg.umd.umich.edu','none','','none','313) 593-5339','none','<p>\n	Dr. Gelderloos teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/january_term/\">Ecology of the Indian Tropics</a> course in South India during January Term. He is Professor of Biology and Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he also directs their Environmental Interpretive Center and Natural Areas.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}orin-gelderloos.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0005','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Orin completed his undergraduate degree at Calvin College, his Master&rsquo;s at Western Michigan University, and his Ph.D. at Northwestern University. His research interests are in watershed analysis and ecology; floodplain and forest ecology; the migration, orientation, and navigation of birds; and science education.</p>\n<p>\n	Orin serves on the <a href=\"/about/board/\">Board of Directors</a> for Au Sable.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(189,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Anderson University','none','ippolito@anderson.edu','none','','none','(765) 641-4333','none','<p>\n	Dr. Dan Ippolito teaches <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Aquatic%20Biology\">Aquatic Biology</a> at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session I. Dan is a Professor of Biology at Anderson University in Indiana.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}dan-ippolito.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0006','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	He received his&nbsp;B.S. in Biology from Yale University and his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985. His research includes stream assessment, macro-invertebrate assays, and the interface between faith and science. &nbsp;<br />\n	<br />\n	Dan says, &ldquo;I love coming to Au Sable because of the setting and the people. I learn something new every time I go, and it gives me a chance to share my passion for the Creation and for our stewardship responsibilities.&rdquo;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(190,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Oral Roberts University','none','jkorstad@oru.edu','none','','none','(918) 495-6942','none','<p>\n	Dr. John Korstad has been teaching our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/#Limnology\">Lake Ecology and Management</a>&nbsp;course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session II every summer since 1996. He is professor of biology at Oral Roberts University, where he has taught since 1980.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}john-korstad1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0007','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	John was raised in Northern California and attended California Lutheran College at Thousand Oaks where he double majored in biology and geology. He went on to earn an M.S. at California State University and then his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. His current research is on developing biofuels from algae. Previously, he conducted aquaculture&nbsp;research in Norway as part of a Fulbright grant and Marshall Fund Award.</p>\n<p>\n	John, his wife Sally, and their four daughters enjoy traveling, fishing, hiking and scuba diving.</p>\n<p>\n	John says, &ldquo;I love the whole concept of why Au Sable Environmental Institute exists&ndash; &lsquo;&hellip;a Christian ministry that provides field-based, college-level courses to train and educate future leaders in environmental studies and inspire the greater Christian community to care for God&rsquo;s Creation.&rsquo;&nbsp; I appreciate the collegiality that I&rsquo;ve experienced among brothers and sisters in Christ from various Christian backgrounds. And I am committed to integrating practical, hands-on work that provides close interactions between our course and local lake property homeowners to learn about how they can care for, preserve, and protect their lakes.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}CV Long version w photo 9_18_14.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(191,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Abilene Christian University','none','leet@acu.edu','none','','none','(325) 674-2574','none','<p>\n	Dr. Tom Lee teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Animal%20Ecology\">Animal Ecology</a> course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session I. He currently serves as Professor of Biology at Abilene Christian University. Tom received his B.S. from Texas A&amp;M University, M.S. from Angelo State University, and Ph.D. from Texas A&amp;M University.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}tom-lee.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0008','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	During his career, he has published or been cited for his work in animal ecology by the Smithsonian Institute, Journal of Mammalogy, Journal of Wildlife Management, Copeia, Southwestern Naturalist, Texas Journal of Science, and Herpetological Review. His passion for helping students learn includes assisting them in writing papers of publishable quality to be submitted to journals for publication.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}TomLee-CV.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(192,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Au Sable Institute','none','mahan@ausable.org','none','','none','(231) 587-8686','none','<p>\n	Since 1985, Dave Mahan has been serving Au Sable Institute at the Mancelona campus. Currently, he is the Associate Director and Registrar for the Institute. Dave has his M.S. and Ph.D. in Stream Ecology from Michigan State University.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}dave-mahan.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0009','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Prior to coming to Au Sable, he was a biology professor at Western Michigan University and a Field Representative for the Michigan Field Office of the Nature Conservancy. These educational and occupational experiences helped him acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to teach courses at Au Sable and nurtured his life-long commitment to the conservation and restoration of land and water resources.<br />\n	<br />\n	Dave says, &ldquo;It has been a privilege to work with the students, professors, staff and board members who have been part of this effort. Because Au Sable is a relatively small organization, all our staff wear multiple hats. In my case I have managed finances and people, taught multiple courses, recruited students to our program, developed relationships with many in the academic community all over North America, done some foundational ecological research, and been privileged to be a learner in many different settings. As our participants discover, Au Sable is more than people, buildings and the natural world. It is the synergy (and energy!) that develops when these elements are all brought together in concert with the grace of God.&rdquo;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(193,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'University of Georgia','none','lnaeher@uga.edu','none','','none','(706) 542-2454','none','<p>\n	Dr. Luke Naeher teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Environmental%20Health\">Environmental Health</a> course at the Pacific Rim Campus during Summer Session II. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Science at The University of Georgia&rsquo;s (UGA) College of Public Health. Luke trained at Yale (Ph.D., Epidemiology and Public Health, 1998), Harvard (M.S., Environmental Health Sciences, 1994), and Cornell (B.S., Biology, 1989).</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}luke-naeher.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0010','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	His research focus is exposure assessment and environmental epidemiology with a particular focus on health effects related to air pollution. Luke has current research projects on exposures related to wood smoke in Peru (pregnant women) and the southeastern U.S. (forest firefighters). He teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in environmental science, environmental health science, and air pollution at UGA, and is currently the major professor for several MS, PhD, and DrPH graduate students.</p>\n<p>\n	Luke has taught at Au Sable (Pacific Rim) since 2007, where he deeply enjoys:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		introducing students to the important, fascinating, complex, and multi-disciplinary field of environmental health;</li>\n	<li>\n		providing students with the tools needed to understand how environmental systems function, how human activities impact these systems, and in turn how the altered systems affect humans;</li>\n	<li>\n		enabling students to identify and discuss current environmental health-related problems, as well as solutions to the problems;</li>\n	<li>\n		challenging students to reflect on the role their faith has in all these issues, and considering how their individual actions and lifestyle choices impact the environment;</li>\n	<li>\n		teaching students in the amazingly beautiful and diverse outdoors classrooms available in the Pacific Northwest &ndash; from rocky coastlines, to alpine meadows, and everything in between.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}LukeNaeher-Biosketch2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(194,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Biola University','none','rafe.payne@biola.edu','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Rafe Payne teaches the <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Marine%20Mammals\">Marine Mammals</a> course at the Pacific Rim Campus during Summer Session II. He is a Professor of Biology, Emeritus at Biola University where he just designed and instituted their new Environmental Science major.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}rafe-payne.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0011','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Rafe received a B.A. in Biology from Westmont College and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska where he studied parasites of ducks (M.S.) and gill parasites of marine fishes (Ph.D.).&nbsp;He taught at Biola University for 38 years teaching: Marine Mammals, Marine Biology, Ecology, Ornithology and Parasitology.&nbsp;He also directed and taught Biola&#39;s Baja Program for 31 years. In addition to his academic work, he has served as shipboard naturalist on the&nbsp;M/V Searcher for 20 years on their long-range whalewatch/natural history trips off Baja California, Mexico.&#8232;</p>\n<p>\n	Rafe has been married to his wife, Jan, for 47 years. They live in Buena Park, California. They have one son, Luke, a photographer, and one dog, Pancho, a Parson Jack Russell, and a house in Baja California, Mexico.&#8232;<br />\n	Rafe says, &ldquo;I love teaching Marine Mammals for Au Sable at the Pacific Rim campus.&nbsp;The students are enthusiastic scholars and dedicated to stewardship of creation with a passion. Teaching in a place where we can actually observe orcas, porpoises, and seals is very exciting.&rdquo;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(195,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Bethel University (MN)','none','k-petersen@bethel.edu','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Dr. Petersen teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/may_term/\">Ornithology</a> course during May Term at the Great Lakes Campus. He is currently Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of Environmental Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}ken-petersen.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0012','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Ken earned a Bachelor&rsquo;s degree in Biology from Dordt College and Master&rsquo;s and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. His research investigates the relationships between various land use patterns and bird diversity and abundance. &nbsp;<br />\n	<br />\n	Ken says, &ldquo;I count my time at Au Sable as one of God&rsquo;s richest blessings to me. Au Sable affords the delicious pleasure of exploring many beautiful corners of the creation alongside a delightful mix of energetic young men and women.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}Petersen-CV .pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(196,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Mississippi State University','none','sriffell@cfr.msstate.edu','none','','none','(662) 325-0392','none','<p>\n	Dr. Riffell teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Conservation%20Biology\">Conservation Biology</a> course and Research Methods I course at the Great Lakes Campus. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}sam-riffel.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0013','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Sam received his B.A. in Biology from Asbury College, M.S. in Environmental Studies from Baylor University, and Ph.D. in Zoology from Michigan State University. His research interests are in multi-function landscapes, landscape ecology, agricultural ecology, biology of birds &amp; dragonflies, and technology in education.&#8232;</p>\n<p>\n	Sam says, &ldquo;Au Sable&rsquo;s a great place because of the opportunity to intentionally integrate faith and science and the personal interactions with like-minded faculty and students.&rdquo;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(197,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Calvin College','none','jrs39@calvin.edu','none','','none','(616) 526.7546','none','<p>\n	Dr. James Skillen co-teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Land%20Resources\">Land Resources</a> course during Summer Session I at the Great Lakes Campus. He is Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Calvin College.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}james-skillen.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0014','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Jamie received his B.S. in Environmental Science from Wheaton College, then received his M.S. in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Natural Resource Policy from Cornell University. Prior to teaching at Calvin College, Jamie taught at Valparaiso University in Indiana. His research interests are in federal land and resource policy and the American west, focusing specifically on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(198,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Calvin College','none','rstearle@calvin.edu','none','','none','(616) 526-6370','none','<p>\n	Dr. Stearley co-teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Land%20Resources\">Land Resources</a> course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session I. During the regular school year, he serves as Professor of Geology at Calvin College. Ralph received his B.A. in anthropology from the University of Missouri, M.S. from the University of Utah, and his Ph.D. in geology and paleontology from the University of Michigan.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}ralph-stearley.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0015','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	His research areas are paleontology, biogeography, and the history of geological and evolutionary thought. More specifically, his past and present research includes studies of rock-boring marine invertebrates in the intertidal zone of the Gulf of California in Sonora, Mexico,&nbsp;Neogene fossil fishes from western North America; anatomy and systematics of salmonid fishes, analysis of fish remains from archaeological sites in New Mexico and west Michigan, and assisting in developing a computerized database of Pleistocene mammalian fossil sites for North America. One of his most exciting and unique experiences was directing the excavation of a full Mastodon skeleton at Ada Bible Church in Cascade, Michigan.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(199,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Northwest University','none','eric.steinkamp@northwestu.edu','none','','none','(425) 889-7780','none','<p>\n	Dr. Eric Steinkamp teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Alpine%20Ecology\">Alpine Ecology</a> course at the Pacific Rim Campus during Summer Session II. He currently serves as Professor of Life Sciences at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}eric-steinkamp.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0016','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Eric received his B.S. in Forestry from the University of Illinois followed by a M.S. in Forest Management from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Ph.D. in Forest Science from Colorado State University. Most recently, he received his Master of Divinity from Assembly of God Theological Seminary. His research focuses on Alpine Ecology of the Cascade Mountains and sustainability and transformational development.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(200,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'University of Wisconsin-Madison','none','kjsytsma@wisc.edu','none','','none','(608) 262-4490','none','<p>\n	Dr. Ken Sytsma teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Field%20Botany\">Field Botany</a> course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session I. He is currently a Professor of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has taught since 1985.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}ken-sytsma.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0017','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	He served as Acting Director of the University of Wisconsin Herbarium (1993-1997), Acting Director of the Wisconsin State Herbarium (2006-2007), chair of the Botany Department (1998-2001), chair of the Biology major (2004 -2008), and Associate Editor of the Journal of Botany (2008-present). Ken received his B.S. in Biology from Calvin College. He then earned his M.A. in Botany and Ecology from Western Michigan University and his Ph.D. in Systematic and Evolutionary Biology from Washington University (St. Louis). His research interests include the phylogenetics of flowering plants; floristics and biogeography of Great Lakes flora; adaptive radiations of island, tepui, and Andean flora; molecular and morphological evolution of Myrtales, Ericales, Brassicales, Campanulales and commelinoid monocots with emphasis on Onagraceae, Combretaceae, Capparidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Rapateaceae, Lobeliaceae; biogeography of disjunctions; phylogeography of rare or invasive species; pollination biology; and theory of evolution &ndash; biological, philosophical, and religious implications.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}KenSytsma-CV2010.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(201,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Eastern University','none','dunander@eastern.edu','none','','none','(610) 341-5860','none','<p>\n	Dr. Dave Unander teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/may_term/#Tropical%20Agriculture\">Tropical Agriculture and Missions</a> course during May Term in Costa Rica. Currently, he is Professor of Biology at Eastern University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}dave-unander.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0018','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dave&rsquo;s research includes work on plants affecting hepatitis B virus and virus resistance in tropical crops. He also serves as a consultant to Christian missions organizations involved in tropical agriculture and has served on the board of ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization). He has also written a book on biology, Christianity, and race: <em>Shattering the Myth of Race: Genetic Realities and Biblical Truths</em>.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}Unander-CV2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(202,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'University of Wisconsin-Madison','none','trvandeelen@wisc.edu','none','','none','(608) 265-3280','none','<p>\n	Dr. VanDeelen teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/#Wildlife%20Ecology\">Wildlife Ecology</a> course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session II. He is Associate Professor of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.&nbsp;He specializes in conservation and management of large mammal populations in the Great Lakes region, including wolves, deer, red foxes, coyotes, and black bear.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}Tim-VanDeelen-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0019','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Tim received his B.S. in Biology from Calvin College, M.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, and Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from Michigan State University. He is an expert in management of large mammals, population dynamics, movement of large mammals through complex landscapes, and growth of Wisconsin&#39;s wolf population and its effects on white-tailed deer. &nbsp;He is author or co-author of over 30 scientific papers on the ecology and conservation of native wildlife and serves as a member of the inter-agency technical committees on the management of white-tailed deer, black bear, and grey wolf.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(203,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Calvin College','none','vdra@calvin.edu','none','','none','(616) 526-6497','none','<p>\n	Dr. VanDragt teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/#Restoration%20Ecology\">Restoration Ecology</a> course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session II. He is currently Professor of Biology at Calvin College. Randy received his B.S.in Biology from Calvin College, his M.S. in Wildlife Science from Cornell University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}randy-vandragt.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0020','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	He is an ecologist with interests in ecosystem management and restoration. He has designed and supervised construction of several nature preserves and for more than twenty-five years has directed the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve, a 100-acre woodland and wetland preserve on the Calvin campus. He is currently directing restoration of a native prairie at the campus of Pacific Rim Institute in western Washington, where Au Sable Institute offers courses.<br />\n	<br />\n	Randy says, &ldquo;I have taught restoration ecology at Au Sable Institute since 1991. I&rsquo;ve kept coming back because of the diverse backgrounds of students and the opportunity Au Sable has provided to&nbsp; integrate biblical principles with sound science to develop practical ways to live responsibly on&nbsp; God&rsquo;s good Earth.&rdquo;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(204,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Calvin College','none','jvanhorn@calvin.edu','none','','none','(616) 526-7623','none','<p>\n	Dr. VanHorn co-teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Land%20Resources\">Land Resources</a> course during Summer Session I at the Great Lakes Campus, focusing specifically on teaching geographic information systems (GIS).</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}jason-vanhorn.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0021','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Geography at Calvin College. He received a double major in Geography and Political Science from Indiana University, continuing his work in geography with a Master&rsquo;s degree from Texas A&amp;M University and Ph.D. from Ohio State University. His research interests are in GIS, cartography, remote sensing, and the geography of terrorism.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}CV_JasonVanHorn.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(205,1,1,'<h1>\n	Update My Contact Information</h1>\n<p>\n	We love to keep up with our alumni and supporters. Please update us on where you are currently living and working. Complete each box unless it is marked optional. Thanks!</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(206,1,1,'<h1>\n	Thank you</h1>\n<p>\n	Thank you for your submission.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(207,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies is conducting a search for a full-time Executive Director to lead&nbsp;and&nbsp;administer the organization, with nominations accepted beginning February 2011 until the position is filled.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies is conducting a search for a full-time Executive Director to lead&nbsp;and&nbsp;administer the organization, with nominations accepted beginning February 2011 until the position is filled.<br />\n	<br />\n	The successful candidate will inspire others by word and example to commit their lives to serving as stewards of God&rsquo;s creation. The Executive Director will demonstrate an active Christian faith and a passion for the organization&rsquo;s mission, with a clear understanding of the challenges and future opportunities for Christian environmental stewardship in science and theology.<br />\n	<br />\n	Candidates will possess a solid record of achievement in strategic planning, financial management, organization building and, most importantly, development and fundraising. Essential characteristics for this position include: ability to nurture relationships with Au Sable&rsquo;s partners; skills to foster support for the Institute among a wide variety of audiences&mdash;alumni, major donors, foundations and corporate executives, educators, government officials and leaders within the broad range of churches and Christian institutions. The candidate will possess an entrepreneurial spirit, winning communication skills and experienced administrative leadership.<br />\n	<br />\n	An advanced degree, and/or background in life sciences, is desirable. Interested, qualified individuals are invited to submit their resume and/or CV, with names and contact information of three references,&nbsp;<strong>in confidence</strong>&nbsp;to Dr. Orin G. Gelderloos, Chair, Au Sable Search Committee, P. O. Box 5096, Dearborn, MI 48128.&nbsp; Please include a statement of faith and vision for the Institute&rsquo;s future. Candidates may also email their submissions to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:EDSearch@ausable.org?subject=Executive%20Director%20Search\">EDSearch@ausable.org</a>.<br />\n	<br />\n	Au Sable Institute is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about the Institute, please see the documents below or contact Dr. Gelderloos at 313-593-5339.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}FactSheet2011.pdf\">Download Fact Sheet</a><br />\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}EDPositionDescription.pdf\">Download Executive Director Position Description</a></p>\n','none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(208,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Courses-F.jpg','xhtml','/courses/course_information/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(209,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-India-3.jpg','xhtml','/courses/campuses/india/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(210,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Donate-F.jpg','xhtml','/donate/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(211,1,1,'<form action=\"https://www.oc2net.net/billing/DonationCentral/Select.asp?\" method=\"post\">\n	<input name=\"MerchantID\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"36007\" /> <input name=\"RegKey\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"CD18C5D1-6625-4ED6-9DE9-0FD7CE1EBB41\" /> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"go\" />&nbsp;</form>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(212,1,12,'<h3>\n	<a href=\"/courses/testimonials/\">Student Testimonial</a></h3>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;The thing I loved about Au Sable classes was all the hands on learning from field trips, lab work, ecological sampling, etc. Also I enjoyed ... the times when all classes merged to learn about topics in conservation together. And of course, I have fond memories of the people and my time spent outdoors in the natural beauty all around the campus.&rdquo; <a href=\"/courses/testimonials/\"><br />\n	Read More</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(213,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	In 1958, Dr. Harold Snyder co-founded the Au Sable Trails Youth Camp, now Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies. He serves as a Founding Trustee on the Au Sable board.</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}harold-synder.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0018','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Harold received his Master&rsquo;s from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1961. He taught high school science at Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he met Bert Froysland and forged what would be a lifetime of friendship and working together.<br />\n	&nbsp;<br />\n	Following his time at Creston, Harold taught at Grand Rapids Junior College for three years before moving on to Taylor University in 1962 where he taught for 20 years. In 1963, when the youth camp became Au Sable Institute, Harold ran the Great Lakes Campus and directed the organization until 1980.<br />\n	<br />\n	In 1980, Harold founded, along with his son, Jim, Cedar Bend Farm and Early American Retreat Center in Mancelona, Michigan. He worked with the program until 2004.<br />\n	<br />\n	Harold is enjoying retirement while sitting on the board at his church and serving as a Founding Trustee for Au Sable.<br />\n	<br />\n	<a href=\"/about/history/\">Read Harold and Bert&rsquo;s story about the founding of Au Sable</a>.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(214,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Academic Dean','none','wood@ausable.org','none','The King’s College, Edmonton, Alberta','none','','none','<p>\n	John is Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at The King&sup1;s University in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Academic Dean for Au Sable. He has been associated with Au Sable for over 20 years and on staff since 2006.</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}john-wood.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0019','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	John&rsquo;s professional work includes being the Secretary-Treasurer of CUESN, the Canadian University Environmental Science Network. He has led several accreditation Site Visit Evaluation Teams for the ECO Canada national accreditation process.<br />\n	&nbsp;<br />\n	John has a BA in Biology from North Park University, Chicago. His PhD is from the University of California, Berkeley, in Stream Ecology and Insect Behaviour. And his current research is on urban wildlife (White-tailed Jackrabbit behavior), human-nature interactions, and campus sustainability. Some of his most recent publications include <em>A Primer on Climate Change</em> (2008) and <em>Sustainable Missions: Ethical Principles for Holistic Practice in a Broken World</em> (2010).</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(215,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Papers, research proposals, readings, meetings ... In many ways, graduate school is the ultimate grind that calls for stick-to-it-iveness. Add winter to the mix, and getting through school can be a daunting challenge.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	Papers, research proposals, readings, meetings ... In many ways, graduate school is the ultimate grind that calls for stick-to-it-iveness. Add winter to the mix, and getting through school can be a daunting challenge.&nbsp; The Au Sable Graduate Fellows have hit on a novel way to combat the January blues: gathering in northern Michigan for a weekend of the sweeter side of graduate school -- camaraderie, thoughtful discussions, play and recreation and good conversation, warm places with good food.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" class=\"img-right\" src=\"{filedir_5}grad-fellows-retreat.jpg\" style=\"width: 325px; height: 244px;\" />The weekend of January 14-17 saw grad fellows from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin-Madison collect on Au Sable&rsquo;s Great Lakes Campus in Mancelona for a chance to recharge their batteries, connect with grad fellows across schools, reflect on new and emerging areas in Christian environmental stewardship, and reconnect with God&rsquo;s world during a school year often loaded with office work.</p>\n<p>\n	As David Young, a MSU graduate student, puts it, &quot;Many people regard winter as a miserable season where heating bills are high, roads icy, and sidewalks slushy.&nbsp; But, during the Au Sable Grad Fellows winter retreat we had opportunities to get out in the winter weather and enjoy the beauty of the earth in its winter state. From finding a mammal&#39;s den via the tell tale tracks left in the snow to snowshoe racing across a small frozen pond, it was a great way&hellip; to take a break from the daily grind of graduate school and to enjoy and remember the beauty and complexity of God&#39;s creation.&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	Now well into second semester, the graduate fellows continue to meet regularly to talk about topics of environmental stewardship at their respective colleges. It&rsquo;s our hope that their retreat has spurred them to go back to their research and studies with renewed vigor and allowed them to recast their work within God&rsquo;s grand work of restoration and redemption.</p>\n<h2>\n	Vocational Calls: Graduate Fellows Receive Teaching Positions</h2>\n<p>\n	We are happy to report that four Au Sable Grad Fellows alums have received their doctorates and have taken or will be moving into teaching positions shortly.<br />\n	<br />\n	Ryan Bebej&nbsp;(Michigan) recently accepted a position in the biology department at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Ryan researched a branch of the whale family for his doctoral dissertation and was part of a field research team featured in the&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/08/whale-evolution/mueller-text\" target=\"_blank\">August edition of National Geographic magazine</a>.</p>\n<p>\n	From Ryan: &ldquo;[In my new position], I will be responsible for teaching introductory biology, anatomy, physiology, and upper-level zoology courses. The Au Sable Graduate Fellows program served me very well during my years as a graduate student at the University of Michigan. Our meetings prompted me to regularly think about how my work and faith are integrated, while also challenging me to think about what it truly means to be an environmental steward. Plus, the people I met through the program have been a wonderful source of encouragement over the years. I am very thankful for all the experiences that the Au Sable Graduate Fellows program afforded me.&rdquo;<br />\n	<br />\n	Brian Aukema&nbsp;(Wisconsin) moved to the University of Minnesota where he is a McKnight Land-Grant professor in the entomology department. He comes to Minnesota from a similar position at the University of Northern British Columbia and research work with the Canadian Forest Service.</p>\n<p>\n	From Brian: &ldquo;The first two years of my tenure at UMN will be spent as a McKnight Land-Grant Professor, which provides some exciting new opportunities, not the least of which is a chance to explore opening an Au Sable Grad Fellows chapter at the University of Minnesota.&nbsp; The Au Sable Grad Fellows program was critical to my development as a scientist and person, and I hope other students can be afforded the same opportunities.&rdquo;<br />\n	<br />\n	Sarah Kelzer Wyse&nbsp;(Michigan State) began a teaching position at Bethel University in Minneapolis, Minnesota this past fall. She graduated from Michigan State University this past May and returns to her alma mater where she obtained her undergraduate degree.<br />\n	<br />\n	Darren Proppe&nbsp;(Alberta) joined the faculty in the natural sciences at Montreat College in North Carolina after finishing his graduate program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Darren&rsquo;s specialty is songbirds and the effects of human- induced change on bird behavior, particularly vocalization patterns.</p>\n<p>\n	Check to out some of our other&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/meet-the-fellows.html\" target=\"_blank\">current and former Grad Fellows</a>&nbsp;on our <a href=\"http://ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">website</a>.</p>\n<p>\n	If you will be entering a graduate program at one of our&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/agf-chapters.html\" target=\"_blank\">AGF chapter schools</a>, or know someone who is, or if you&rsquo;d simply like more information about the graduate fellows program, please contact Grad Fellows Director Rolf Bouma at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:rbouma@umich.edu\">rbouma@umich.edu</a>.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}grad-fellows-retreat-thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(216,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Students in our popular &lsquo;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&rsquo; course will be stepping off the plane into a different tropical environment this year. After holding the course at the Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) in South Florida for the past eight years,</p>\n','none','<p>\n	Students in our popular &lsquo;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&rsquo; course will be stepping off the plane into a different tropical environment this year. After holding the course at the Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) in South Florida for the past eight years, this year&rsquo;s&nbsp;course will be taught in Costa Rica at the field station of the&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.glocalade.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Association for Development through Education</a>&nbsp;(ADE), a Christian organization devoted to capacity building in post-disaster regions and marginalized communities through education initiatives.&nbsp; While many of the topics covered through the course will be the same, its new location creates the opportunity to enhance the field component of the course by allowing&nbsp;students to directly observe, interact with, and learn from local farmers, development workers, and missionaries.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" class=\"img-right\" src=\"{filedir_5}Tropical-Agriculture-and-Missions-photo.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px; height: 200px;\" />The Tropical Agriculture and&nbsp;Missions&nbsp;course is one of a number of&nbsp;&nbsp;distinctive courses that Au Sable offers to provide life-changing learning opportunities that supplement the curriculum at our participating colleges.&nbsp; The tropical agriculture course in particular serves a diverse array of students in science, international development, medicine, and missions programs from our participating colleges.&nbsp; Students from a wide variety of interests and backgrounds bring different learning perspectives and motivations that enhance the course for all involved.</p>\n<p>\n	As Executive Director Martin Price acknowledges, &ldquo;The tropical agriculture&nbsp;course is an eye opener for many students to see how agriculture and missions bring together so many areas of their interest and training; areas where urgent human, environmental and spiritual needs converge.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	The course itself focuses on working&nbsp;with resource-poor farmers. Topics include the scientific basis&nbsp;behind successful low cost agricultural techniques, a survey of major tropical&nbsp;crops and their requirements, agroforestry, urban gardening, small animal care, and issues in Christian missions and community&nbsp;development.</p>\n<p>\n	For more information about the course, check out our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/may_term/#Tropical%20Agriculture\">course information page</a>.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}Tropical-Agriculture-and-Missions-thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(217,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	When Dieter Bouma first came to Au Sable it was fairly easy to know where he was on campus at any given time: in the pole barn, playing broomball. While for most people who come to Au Sable this would be recipe for academic failure, for Dieter, it was all fun and games. He had the luxury. He was seven.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	When Dieter Bouma first came to Au Sable it was fairly easy to know where he was on campus at any given time: in the pole barn, playing broomball. While for most people who come to Au Sable this would be recipe for academic failure, for Dieter, it was all fun and games. He had the luxury. He was seven.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" class=\"img-right\" src=\"{filedir_5}New-Employee-Comes-Home-photo.jpg\" style=\"width: 350px; height: 249px;\" />Things have changed quite a bit since then. Dieter is the newest member of our staff, but the days of locating him with relative ease are over. It&rsquo;s not that he doesn&#39;t hone his broomball skills anymore (he claims an Au Sable professional team is &ldquo;just around the corner&rdquo;), it&rsquo;s that Dieter is our new Assistant for Recruitment, Communications, and Development. A majority of his time is spent on the road visiting our participating colleges to talk with students about the opportunity to take courses at Au Sable.</p>\n<p>\n	In addition to visiting our participating colleges, Dieter&rsquo;s other hats include establishing an Au Sable alumni and supporters network, coordinating Au Sable eNotes, developing our new website, keeping faculty representatives abreast of on-going Au Sable news, and applying for grants.</p>\n<p>\n	Before coming to Au Sable, Dieter completed an MS/MPP program from the University of Michigan. During that time, he helped to teach courses through the University and worked for both the Huron River Watershed Council and City of Ann Arbor.</p>\n<p>\n	It&rsquo;s a common occurrence, and a wonderful privilege, at Au Sable to have many of our students return over the years. It&rsquo;s what makes Au Sable feel like a home: it&rsquo;s a place people come back to. For Dieter, Au Sable has served as a home away from home for almost nineteen years. In fact, one of the things he considered when accepting his new job was whether working for Au Sable would diminish the strong pull on him towards campus. &nbsp;We&rsquo;re happy to report that it hasn&rsquo;t.</p>\n<p>\n	We caught up with Dieter for an interview about his new position and what&nbsp;keeps bringing him back to Au Sable:</p>\n<p>\n	<em>How did you first hear about ASI?</em><br />\n	I first heard about Au Sable when I was in elementary school. My dad served on the board in the early 1990s, and then later he taught the January-term class in &#39;Environmental Ethics&#39; for over 15 years. I was a young recruit.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What courses did you take at ASI? Any favorites?</em><br />\n	I took Winter Stream Ecology, Tropical Agriculture and Missions, and Woody Plants. By de facto, I probably took my dad&rsquo;s &#39;Environmental Ethics&#39; course by the age of 10 as well. Each Au Sable class was wonderful and unique in its own way. I&rsquo;m deeply indebted to each of them for the future opportunities they opened up for me. Winter Ex-stream ecology, as Dave [Mahan] likes to call it,&nbsp;landed me my first job with the Huron River Watershed Council, which was a terrific experience. And the Tropical Agriculture and Missions and Woody Plants classes were instrumental in helping me with my graduate work on community forestry and climate change adaptation in rural Nepal.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Do you have any favorite memories from Au Sable or particularly influential faculty or staff?</em><br />\n	Au Sable faculty and staff are some of the most fun and enjoyable people to spend time with -- it&#39;s blessing heaped on blessing spending time with them. They&#39;re the best teachers, mentors, story-tellers, adventure guides, joke-tellers, worship-leaders....</p>\n<p>\n	And as teachers, they&#39;re so great to learn from because they&#39;re so curious. I&#39;ll never forget driving with Dave Warners [Woody Plants professor] during our &#39;Woody Plants&#39; course. I remember thinking, &quot;Gosh, he has a weird way of driving.&quot; His elbows would hang straight down from the steering wheel, and he would lean so far forward that his chin would sit over top of the steering wheel. It wasn&#39;t until I sat in the front seat with him that I realized why he&#39;d adopted this unorthodox driving style: he was craning his neck to get the maximum peripheral vision out of the front windshield to look at the trees along the roadside! It worked well too. As I was sitting in the front seat next to him, all of a sudden, he slammed on the brakes, pulled the car off the road, jumped out, ran across the road, up a little hill, and clipped a small branch from a tree species we hadn&#39;t seen yet. It was a testimony to one person&#39;s passion for teaching and the plants our God created.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Has your ASI experience influenced you in any way?</em><br />\n	This is an incredibly challenging question! It&#39;d be easier to ask how Au Sable hasn&#39;t influenced me. Growing up and working at Au Sable gave me the opportunity to interact with wonderful students and faculty and learn about Christian environmental stewardship from a young age. Despite this, at the beginning of the summer before my freshman year of college, I had to tell Calvin College -- where I went to undergrad -- what I was interested in, so that they could give me an advisor. I chose Sociology because I was good in humanities and had not had the best teachers in the sciences throughout high school. &nbsp;That summer, I worked in the kitchen during Summer Session II. By the end of that summer at Au Sable, I was a Biology major. And it was all because of the students -- I saw their passion and interest and it seeped into me. Au Sable created fertile soil in me for when I began to studying Biology because I constantly tied my coursework in biology and ecology to how it could be applied to care for God&#39;s world. I worked for the Service-Learning Center at Calvin College as the Calvin Environmental Assessment Coordinator and was a member of the Environmental Stewardship Coalition. The worldview I learned at Au Sable was what motivated me.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>If you could offer one piece of advice to current students of ASI, what would it be?</em><br />\n	Just as the threat to God&#39;s creation is multifaceted, so the ways to serve God&#39;s creation are diverse: take some time to learn about all the different types of careers and service opportunities out there that can help to protect God&rsquo;s world.&nbsp; There are quite a bit more than you think.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What are you most excited about with your new position at ASI?</em><br />\n	I&#39;m excited about the opportunity to talk to students about what a terrific living-learning community Au Sable is. I&#39;ve taken courses at Au Sable in the summer time, and it combines what&#39;s best about coursework -- interesting classes where you&#39;re outside interacting with the subject you&#39;re studying -- and summer vacation -- being with friends, having adventures, lots of recreational opportunities. It&#39;s a challenge to convey this because you really need to experience it to understand it. But I try to channel my own experience and excitement into talking about it with students. It&#39;s always terrific to meet a former Au Sable student who lights up when they talk about their experience. It definitely reinforces that Au Sable makes a life-changing impact on students in a variety of different ways.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}New-Employee-Comes-Home-thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(218,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dr. Susan Emmerich, a long-time friend of Au Sable and noted for her work on faith-based natural resource conflict management, has created a new film&nbsp;<a href=\"http://whenheavenmeetsearth.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em></a>, a follow-up to her acclaimed 2001 film,Between Heaven and Earth, and 1999 trailer,&nbsp;<em>Tangier Island: Faith-Based Stewardship</em>, which was made with support by Au Sable.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" class=\"img-right\" src=\"{filedir_5}WHME.jpg\" style=\"width: 153px; height: 221px;\" />Dr. Susan Emmerich, a long-time friend of Au Sable and noted for her work on faith-based natural resource conflict management, has created a new film&nbsp;<a href=\"http://whenheavenmeetsearth.org/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em></a>, a follow-up to her acclaimed 2001 film, <em>Between Heaven and Earth</em>, and 1999 trailer,&nbsp;<em>Tangier Island: Faith-Based Stewardship</em>, which was made with support by Au Sable. <em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em>&nbsp;continues the transformational story of how Susan and others applied faith-based stewardship principles to mediate conflicts between the Tangier Waterman and environmental groups, and ultimately lead the Tangier community to abandon destructive practices in the Chesapeake Bay and adopt faith-based natural resource management practices. The new film chronicles the Waterman&rsquo;s outreach efforts to farmers in Pennsylvania and Maryland in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and shows their process of learning together about the biblical truths of creation care and how that impacts their fishing and farming practices. <em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em>&nbsp;is now in a DVD set which includes an 11 min. trailer and the 25 min.&nbsp;<em>Between Heaven and Earth</em>&nbsp;film.</p>\n<p>\n	The film&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href=\"http://whenheavenmeetsearth.org/\" target=\"_blank\">website</a>&nbsp;has nearly all the research and published material as well as&nbsp;<a href=\"http://whenheavenmeetsearth.org/resources/\" target=\"_blank\">discussion guides&nbsp;and lesson plans</a> for professors developed by five different Christian college professors (Fred VanDyke, Mike Mooring, and Evvy Campbell). In addition, Susan will be leading a one day seminar (May 14) on the methods and approaches used to implement the faith-based stewardship model in natural resource dependent communities.</p>\n<p>\n	The new DVD is&nbsp;<a href=\"http://whenheavenmeetsearth.org/buy-the-dvd/\" target=\"_blank\">available for purchase</a>, and also includes&nbsp;<em>Between Heaven and Earth</em>&nbsp;and the trailer for&nbsp;<em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em>. You can also watch the new&nbsp;<em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em>&nbsp;11-minute trailer here:</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"http://whenheavenmeetsearth.org/trailer/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>When Heaven Meets Earth</em> (Trailer)</a></p>\n','none','{filedir_8}WHME-Thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(219,1,1,'','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(220,1,12,'<h3>\n	<a href=\"../courses/testimonials/\">Student Testimonial</a></h3>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;Here we have the chance to work out all those tough, lingering questions that seem to get missed on our home campuses. It&rsquo;s academics, spirituality and life with dedicated, passionate professors and amazing students from dozens of schools all over. It was indeed one of my most cherished memories of my college career and the best place I could be this summer.&quot; <a href=\"../courses/testimonials/\">Read More</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(221,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	This spring and summer, the Great Lakes Campus will receive some much-needed improvements to add longevity to Earth Hall and the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). Each has an architectural history interwoven with cutting edge practices in environmental stewardship and the birth of Au Sable Institute.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}The_ELC.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 300px; height: 209px; \" />This spring and summer, the Great Lakes Campus will receive some much-needed improvements to add longevity to Earth Hall and the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). For many on campus, these two buildings are emblematic: Earth Hall, the grass-covered academic and administrative building hiding on a hill, peering down over Louie&rsquo;s Pond, and the Environmental Learning Center, easily melting into the forested landscape. Each has an architectural history interwoven with cutting edge practices in environmental stewardship and the birth of Au Sable Institute. &nbsp;With these new repairs, we decided to look back on the story of how these buildings began and offer an inside look at how they function.</p>\n<p>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; \"><strong>Earth Sheltered, Earth Hall</strong></span></p>\n<p>\n	When Au Sable Trails Junior Science Camp became Au Sable Institute in 1979, it was obvious that the camp buildings would not be adequate&nbsp;for the new institute. Consequently, staff began conversations about a new building to house offices and classrooms. The existing camp buildings were designed to blend into the&nbsp;landscape, but given the square footage&nbsp;requirements of the new building, it became apparent that a traditional building would overwhelm the landscape. Someone suggested that the building be pushed into the ground, and thus the idea of an earth sheltered building was born. Earth sheltered building was a new practice in northern Michigan in 1980, but staff found a Traverse City architect who was working in this field, and who was intrigued by our proposal; and so Earth Hall was born.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>How It Works</em></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000116(1).JPG\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />Engineering the roof is always the most challenging aspect of an earth sheltered building. It requires multiple layers to support weight and&nbsp;drain rainwater. The architect&rsquo;s approach was to use pre-stressed concrete beams 18 inches wide and 12 inches thick. The undersides of&nbsp;these beams serve as the ceiling of Earth Hall. A concrete slab that is four inches thick along the outside edge and tapers to two inches in the&nbsp;center of the roof holds the beams together. There is also a 12 inch curb around the outside edge of the slab creating, in effect, a wading pool. A bituthene&nbsp;membrane to seal out water lines this pool, and a perforated drain pipe runs down the center of the roof along the long axis of the building from south to north where a drain hole was cut through the curb for water to exit. Four inches of Styrofoam sheeting lay on top of the membrane and sewer gravel covers the drain pipe. Fourteen inches of earth, seeded with rye grass, top everything.</p>\n<p>\n	These extra rooftop layers, coupled with the soil built up around the sides of Earth Hall, provide extra insulation, and the plants supply food and habitat for local wildlife.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Repair Work</em></p>\n<p>\n	The system worked well for 27 years until leaks formed through the ceiling into the main floor of Earth Hall. While the leaks were repaired, they became more frequent until one hard rain storm last fall produced leaks at 7 different spots along the perimeter of the roof. The roofing company who has done Earth Hall&rsquo;s repair work reported that the bituthene&nbsp;membrane used to seal the roof has a life expectancy of 20 years, meaning our Earth Hall has out-lived repairs by 7 years. Thus the challenge for the summer of 2011: Remove 14 inches of earth, 4 inches of Styrofoam, a drainage system and a membrane and replace it all with a new green roof.<br />\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h3>\n	<strong>ELC Ground Water Heating System</strong></h3>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The Environmental Learning Center was built as a summer-only classroom/lab in the mid&nbsp;1960&rsquo;s, but it became the home to the<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}DSCF7765.JPG\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" /> Environmental Education Program when it began in 1977. Wall-mounted, propane furnaces stood in each room to provide the heat required&nbsp;for a year-round program. These furnaces were inefficient, drafty, noisy and smelly, so in 1992 staff decided to replace them with in-floor, radiant heat provided by a geothermal system. It was a wonderful solution to the deficiencies of the old, wall-mounted furnaces. Students loved to sit on a warm floor, and the instructors did not have to shout over the furnace blowers.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>How It Works</em></p>\n<p>\n	Geothermal heating uses the earth&#39;s warmth and a heat pump to heat water that is propelled through a series of pipes in the ELC floor. &nbsp;It is a closed loop system in which the water is stored in a holding tank until thermostats in the rooms call for heat, and the cycle commences. The ground water heat pump that makes the process work is basically a large refrigerator. A refrigerant (freon is no longer used), in gaseous form is pumped through a compressor to a pressure of 250 psi. This heats the gas to 128&#730; F. This hot, pressurized gas passes through a heat exchanger (think a car radiator) where the heat is transferred to a solution of water mixed with RV antifreeze. This warm water is then pumped through &frac12; inch diameter tubing imbedded in the concrete floor, heating the room.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Diagram of Geothermal System\" src=\"{filedir_5}heatpump_fig10_e.gif\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 194px; \" />After the pressurized gas has passed through the heat exchanger with the water/antifreeze solution, it&nbsp;loses most of its heat. It then passes through a pressure relief valve that drops the pressure to 60 psi which condenses the gas to a liquid refrigerant and lowers its temperature to 35&#730; F (remember high school Physics). The liquid refrigerant descends through piping into the ground where it passes through another heat exchanger and absorbs heat from well water. The well water is 50&#730; F, but that is hot enough to boil the refrigerant back into a gas and the cycle is repeated. The well water has been cooled to 45&#730; F and is pumped back into the ground to regain heat. In this way, the system is more energy efficient than regular heating, since it relies on the heat stored in soil and water underground (in this case, in ground water) to help heat the building. &nbsp;It also creates a more comfortable, less noisy solution to heating public spaces.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Repair Work</em></p>\n<p>\n	The system was installed in 1992 and was a first generation system, one of the earliest of its kind, designed and built locally. After 18 years the tubing in the heat exchanger had deteriorated to the point that it was leaking and could not maintain pressure. We replaced the heat exchanger this past April to keep using the Earth&rsquo;s warmth to heat the ELC.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}P1020404.JPG','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(222,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable notes for May:&nbsp;Au Sable has a Linkedin group page;&nbsp;Grad Fellow Abbie Schrotenboer receives job at Trinity Christian College; and&nbsp;Support Au Sable with GoodSearch search engine</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<strong>Join Us on Linkedin</strong></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}LinkedIn-Logo.png\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 71px; \" />Au Sable has a <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&amp;gid=3881753&amp;goback=%2Egmp_3881753\">LinkedIn group page</a>, and we want you to join!&nbsp; Joining the Au Sable group&nbsp;page gives you the opportunity to network with and view jobs postings from other Au Sable alumni.&nbsp;&nbsp;For employers, it also gives you the opportunity to post jobs for Au Sable alums.&nbsp; And Au Sable also will be posting jobs to the group page as they come to us.&nbsp; This is one other way that you can tap into the great people you meet at Au Sable and forge a community devoted to engaging Christian environmental stewardship.</p>\n<p>\n	For those unfamiliar with <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/\">LinkedIn</a>, it is an online, professional networking tool that allows you to connect to colleagues, classmates, and friends.&nbsp; Through LinkedIn, you create a professional profile that details your academic background and experience and allows other people you&rsquo;re connected with to keep up with your professional work.&nbsp; It also allows you to see if anyone within your network is connected to a person you may wish to get to know in order to further your networking opportunities.&nbsp; You may also connect to group pages, such as the <a href=\"http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&amp;gid=3881753&amp;goback=%2Egmp_3881753\">Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies group page</a>, to find a community of people within a particular interest area.</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Abbie Schrotenboer Accepts Job at Trinity Christian College</strong></p>\n<p>\n	Congratulations to Abbie Schrotenboer (Au Sable Grad Fellow &rsquo;07-&rsquo;10) who recently accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Biology at <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Abbie-Schrotenboer-1.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 225px; height: 189px; \" />Trinity Christian College.&nbsp; Abbie recently completed her PhD in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University.&nbsp; Her dissertation was on &ldquo;Prairie Grasses for Biofuels and Ecological Restoration: Modifications to native species and their place in human-altered landscapes&rdquo; (See Abbie in one of her big and little blue stem research plots on right). &nbsp;Abbie served as an Au Sable Graduate Fellow at Michigan State from 2007-2010, co-leading the MSU group from 2008-2009.&nbsp; Read more about our <a href=\"http://www.ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/\">Au Sable Graduate Fellows</a>.</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Support Au Sable as You Surf the Web</strong></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Goodsearch.jpg\" style=\"cursor: default; float: left; width: 250px; height: 80px; \" />Au Sable&rsquo;s newly created&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.goodsearch.com/\">GoodSearch</a>&nbsp;account allows you to contribute to Au Sable simply by searching the web.&nbsp; GoodSearch is a search engine powered by Yahoo! that donates 50% of its advertising revenue to charities.&nbsp; Simply go to&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.goodsearch.com/\">www.goodsearch.com</a>&nbsp;and type in &lsquo;Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies&rsquo; under &lsquo;Who Do You GoodSearch For?&rsquo; and start searching.&nbsp; For people using Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox, we recommend downloading the&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/\">GoodSearch toolbar</a>&nbsp;for your web-browser as well.&nbsp;GoodSearch raises money through advertising space, and they estimate that each search generates around $.01 for the organization.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s raining pennies on Earth Hall when you search.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}linkedin-1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(223,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Trish Fagg, Au Sable Environmental Education coordinator, reviews this illuminating book on the myriad ways that children&#39;s interaction with the environment impacts their psychological well-being, healthy habits, educational performance, and spiritual development.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}last-child-louv.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 373px; \" />Ask children how they spend their free time and you usually get a list of indoor activities involving bright glowing screens and electronic gizmos.&nbsp; I, like Richard Louv, have been told by children that they cannot be too far from an electric outlet, especially if a video game consule is plugged into it.&nbsp; In his book, <u>Last Child in the Woods</u>, Louv unpacks the ways that these newfound inclinations for indoor play impact our children.&nbsp; What results is a wonderful ode to the outdoors as well as an alarm bell for our nation&rsquo;s children.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Louv documents the tendency of the last two generations of children to spend little time outdoors.&nbsp; This is not isolated to one geographic region but is seen across the nation.&nbsp; It is radically different from all preceding generations.&nbsp; In the past, we took it for granted that children spent large amounts of time in natural settings and took in all the benefits that this time bestows, including a heart-felt love for particular places.&nbsp; Since we are shaped by what we love, the natural world has had a profound influence on who we are as human beings.&nbsp; It begs the question: how is a child&rsquo;s heart shaped by indoor spaces, video games, and screens?</p>\n<p>\n	Louv examines the impact of this &ldquo;nature deficit&rdquo; on our children &ndash; and if truth be told &ndash; on ourselves.&nbsp; He examines the impact on our mental, physical, and spiritual health. &nbsp;In doing the research for the book, Louv looked to a number of disciplines from education and educational psychology to neurology.&nbsp; He sought insight from the fields of environmental therapy, mental health, urban design, parks and recreation, creativity, and playground design. He also explored the relatively new field of ecopsychology.&nbsp; Most importantly, he interviewed children, parents, and teachers.</p>\n<p>\n	The outcome of his research is an exploration of the term he coined, nature&ndash;deficit disorder, which &ldquo;[describes] the human costs of alienation from nature.&rdquo;&nbsp; One cost is the atrophy of the senses.&nbsp; Direct experiences encompass what we see, feel, taste, hear and smell for ourselves.&nbsp; &ldquo;Without direct experiences, our experience of daily life is impoverished.&rdquo;&nbsp; Louv cites John Dewey&rsquo;s warning about relying on secondary experiences to teach children.&nbsp; Secondary experiences typically rely on only vision and hearing and ask children to learn through vicarious experience.&nbsp; Dewey felt secondary experiences come with the risk of depersonalizing human life.&nbsp; Multisensory experiences in nature, on the other hand, enrich life and help to build &ldquo;the cognitive constructs necessary for sustained intellectual development.&rdquo;&nbsp; Louv warns that nature-deficit disorder leads to &lsquo;cultural autism&rsquo; with atrophied, tunneled senses and feelings of isolation.</p>\n<p>\n	Another cost is difficulty concentrating.&nbsp; Involvement in nature enhances the ability to pay attention.&nbsp; Louv cites new studies that show the positive effects nature has on children suffering from ADHD.&nbsp; Time spent outdoors calms and improves one&rsquo;s ability to focus.&nbsp; Louv goes on to state that nature improves all children&rsquo;s ability to focus, hones their cognitive abilities, and gives resistance to negative stress.</p>\n<p>\n	A third cost of nature-deficit disorder is higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.&nbsp; Louv recalls the urgings of naturalist and professor, Elaine Brooks, who felt strongly that we needed to teach how to &ldquo;use the environmental to recover our wits.&rdquo;&nbsp; As one mental health researcher states, &ldquo;An indoor, sedentary childhood is linked to mental health problems.&rdquo;&nbsp; Louv cites that depression among our nation&rsquo;s children is on the rise.&nbsp; While exclusion from nature can lead to mental health problems, studies show that in many cases time spent in nature is as effective as medications in treating depression.&nbsp; Nature should be considered a preventative as well as a alternative treatment therapy for mental health issues. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Finally, nature-deficit disorder also impacts spiritual health since, as Louv rightly notes, &ldquo;conservation is, at its core, a spiritual act.&rdquo; &nbsp;As Louv points out creation is not ours but God&rsquo;s.&nbsp; We conserve creation for God as well as for those who come after us.&nbsp; Louv makes the connection between how one treats creation and loving one&rsquo;s neighbor: if I love my neighbor, I will not pollute his air, water, or food or diminish creation&rsquo;s ability to give him joy and health.&nbsp; We need to &ldquo;develop leaders who will do battle to save our natural world&rdquo; and &ldquo;take a stand for the greater justice for all people&rdquo; by caring for God&rsquo;s earth. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	While Louv&rsquo;s book is a thorough analysis of the myriad ways that the outdoors impacts us &ldquo;almost at a cellular level,&rdquo; it is this spiritual piece that affirms faith-based organizations like Au Sable Institute in &ldquo;help[ing] reclaim nature as part of the spiritual development of children.&rdquo;&nbsp; One is reminded of Au Sable Institute&rsquo;s roots.&nbsp; In 1959 nine men had a vision for a junior science summer camp.&nbsp; They saw the power of learning about God in the context of learning about God&rsquo;s world while living in close proximity to creation.&nbsp; And thus, Au Sable Trails Camp for Youth began.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	This vision continues in Au Sable Institute&rsquo;s environmental education program.&nbsp; Besides our day programs for local schools, Au Sable also provides two and three day programs for students from Christian middle and high schools.&nbsp; Christian students study aspects of creation in the context of their faith and scripture while living surrounded by creation&rsquo;s beauty on Au Sable&rsquo;s campus.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The principles of Louv&#39;s book undergird much of Au Sable&#39;s work, and hopefully others will be swayed by how convincingly it is written.&nbsp; If you have children in your life, it is critical that you take opportunities to get them outside.&nbsp; Be intentional.&nbsp; Make a plan.&nbsp; Give your children (or grandchildren) a daily touch point with creation.&nbsp; Childhood is short.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t put it off.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}last-child-louv.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(224,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	This past Sunday, Au Sable&rsquo;s Great Lakes and Costa Rica campuses went from the silent beauty of spring wildflowers to the low buzz of student and faculty activity.&nbsp; The spring and summer academic year commenced with students embarking on classes in field natural history, ornithology, and tropical agriculture and missions.&nbsp; These courses prelude the 19 classes to come during our summer session courses scheduled for this year. The complete lineup includes classes at four campuses: one course in India, one course in Costa Rica, four courses at Pacific Rim Institute, and 16 at the Great Lakes Campus. Currently, 81 students from 28 different colleges and universities will participate, filling 146 course slots.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Costa-Rica-group.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 247px; \" />On May 15, Au Sable&rsquo;s <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/campuses/great_lakes/\">Great Lakes</a> and <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/campuses/costa_rica/\">Costa Rica</a> campuses went from the silent beauty of spring wildflowers to the low buzz of student and faculty activity. The spring and summer academic year commenced with students embarking on classes in field natural history, ornithology, and tropical agriculture and missions. These courses prelude the 19 classes to come during our summer session courses scheduled for this year. The complete lineup includes classes at four campuses: one course in India, one course in Costa Rica, four courses at Pacific Rim Institute, and 16 at the Great Lakes Campus. Currently, 81 students from 28 different colleges and universities will participate, filling 146 course slots.</p>\n<p>\n	While many of the same courses return from last year, there are a few course and personnel updates.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Tropical Agriculture Moves to Costa Rica</em></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Students eating sugar cane\" src=\"{filedir_5}Tropical_ag-students.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 238px; \" />The <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/may_term/\">&lsquo;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&rsquo; course</a> has moved to Costa Rica. Dr. Dave Unander and the class will learn at the cloud rainforest campus of the <a href=\"http://www.glocalade.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Association for Development through Education</a> in Vara Blanca, Costa Rica. The campus itself is surrounded by remnant forest, boasting large oak trees draped with lianas and bromeliads (see photo above on right), while the surrounding area contains horticulture and dairy farms. This diversity of landscape will offer the class an opportunity to learn about the methods and types of agricultural production taking place in this region of the world while also exploring the complex interactions between farmers and ecosystems. &nbsp;The course will also take advantage of opportunities to observe and talk with missionaries and local Christian organizations as they work in ministry with small landholder farmers.</p>\n<p>\n	ADE&rsquo;s location in rural Vara Blanca, a town recovering from an earthquake in 2009, also affords the class opportunities to participate directly in recovery projects and interact with high school students through ADE&rsquo;s programs. A strong science network of agricultural centers will allow students to learn from researchers in various areas of agriculture. &nbsp;(See <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150191455184395.321880.45780179394\" target=\"_blank\">photos</a> taken by Dr. Unander from the class)</p>\n<p>\n	<em>New Faculty Member for Environmental Chemistry</em></p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/\">&lsquo;Environmental Chemistry&rsquo;</a> has been one of Au Sable&rsquo;s most popular courses over the years, and one of the reasons is the excellent job done by Dr. Henry Brouwer from Redeemer University College. This year, the course undergoes a major personnel change.&nbsp;With Henry&rsquo;s retirement, Dr. Scott Carr of Anderson University will take on the course for this year. Dr. Carr&rsquo;s vision for education meshes well with Au Sable&rsquo;s: &ldquo;Au Sable&rsquo;s mission of educating students and the public with an emphasis on stewardship and earthkeeping is to me the best way to address the future by dealing with our past. Preparing minds to critically consider the issues with facts and also know their responsibilities in the shared ownership of creation based on biblical principles seems the path which would be most effective to those of faith.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Summer Research Program</em></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Nathan-Sather-research(1).jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 161px; height: 190px; \" />One of the academic highlights for the past four summers has been the performance of students in the <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/summer_research/\">Au Sable research program</a>. Not only&nbsp;is research a way to advance knowledge of God&rsquo;s world, it is an important career building experience for participants. Many students use their Au Sable experience as a launching point for further work in graduate programs. This year, six students will spread out across the Grand Traverse Region doing research through the Institute on the Boardman River, Grand Traverse Bay, and surrounding dune communities. &nbsp;Listed below are their planned topics:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		Jacob Boone (Spring Arbor University) and Michelle LaForge (Wheaton&nbsp;College) will perform a qualitative and quantitative study of the macroinvertebrate community of the Boardman River, comparing macroinvertebrates above and below a dam that will be removed this coming fall.</li>\n	<li>\n		Nathan Sather (Bethel&nbsp;University) will be performing a follow-up study on his research last year, focusing on macroinvertebrate community recovery after dam removal.</li>\n	<li>\n		Alexis de Sosa (Wheaton&nbsp;College) will study wetland plants of Grand Traverse Bay shoreline. She will assess wetland plants to get a handle of what a &#39;representative&#39; community should look like as a reference for homeowners dealing with Phragmites (an invasive reed).</li>\n	<li>\n		Collin Whitsett (Southern Nazarene&nbsp;University)&nbsp;will be doing genetic analysis for Pitcher&rsquo;s thistle taxonomy.&nbsp; Pitcher&rsquo;s thistle is an endangered species found in dune communities in Northern Lower Michigan.</li>\n	<li>\n		Will Miller (Messiah&nbsp;College)&nbsp;will perform a herpetological field study around the Great Lakes Campus.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	Research students work for 10 weeks during the two summer sessions with a faculty researcher. At the same time, they take an Au Sable course that coincides with their area of research and also take a 1-credit research methods course during each summer session. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Au Sable started the research program at the request of its participating colleges who found that even their best students needed more research experience to be attractive candidates for graduate school.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}Costa-Rica-group.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(225,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Earlier this month, Au Sable unveiled its new website, a gateway for prospective students, alumni, supporters, Christians curious about creation care, and many others into Au Sable&rsquo;s work and community.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"Au Sable website homepage\" src=\"{filedir_5}Website-Homepage.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 168px; \" />When speaking to prospective students, one of the greatest challenges is finding the right mix of story, description, and pictures to convey the Au Sable experience.&nbsp;There is a tremendous amount of lived experience that permeates the Au Sable location and community that in the end, one wishes deep down that each student could &ldquo;just experience it yourself&rdquo; to know what it&#39;s like. &nbsp;The past 10 months, Au Sable staff has taken that challenge to the internet. &nbsp;Earlier this month, Au Sable unveiled its <a href=\"http://www.ausable.org\">new website</a>, a gateway for prospective students, alumni, supporters, Christians curious about creation care, and many others into Au Sable&rsquo;s work and community.</p>\n<p>\n	The new website has a number of exciting features that will help the Institute keep the Au Sable community up-to-date on what&rsquo;s happening around campus.&nbsp; New features include a <a href=\"{filedir_11}news_and_resources/news/\">news</a> and <a href=\"{filedir_11}news_and_resources/blog/\">blogs</a> page, <a href=\"{filedir_11}news_and_resources/photo_gallery/\">photo albums</a>, information about <a href=\"{filedir_11}courses/faculty_and_fellows/\">faculty members</a>, and ways for <a href=\"{filedir_11}alumni/\">alumni</a>&nbsp;to connect.&nbsp; Besides new features, the website uses a new web program for updates, making it simpler and more easy for staff to post content regularly.</p>\n<p>\n	The new website enables current and prospective students to register for classes, view faculty profiles, and get answers to their questions easily. In addition, alumni will also find an online home where they can connect with fellow alumni and faculty, learn about <a href=\"{filedir_11}alumni_and_grad_fellows/job_postings/\">job opportunities</a>, send in articles and photos of their activities at Au Sable, and keep up-to-date on Au Sable activities. Many alumni have expressed the view that being part of Au Sable was a life-changing experience for them, and the website will serve as one way that the bond created during their field studies will extend beyond their time spent on campus. Alumni will be invited and encouraged to submit articles for blogs, research papers, and updates about their professional activities through the alumni section.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"ASI Website news page\" src=\"{filedir_5}News-webpage.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 202px; \" />Carolynn Van Namen, an <a href=\"http://www.ausable.org/about/board/\">Au Sable board member</a> who lent her considerable experience to creating the website, says, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m excited about the new website overall because I believe it will convey Au Sable&rsquo;s significance in the realm of Creation care and environmental stewardship to a broader audience. Au Sable has the opportunity to become better known beyond its immediate circle of support to reach the greater Christian community. Since we are an educational organization, the site can serve as a recruitment tool for prospective students who will be able to gain insights and understanding about ASI&rsquo;s courses, programs, faculty and fellow students online.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	Au Sable&rsquo;s new website will accomplish several important goals of ASI&rsquo;s strategic plan, such as enabling greater outreach and facilitating more participation among our constituents. The new site will attract visitors through internet search and appeal to a broader audience through its improved design and user experience.&nbsp; The organization already has a strong connection to its alumni and friends that can now be expanded to those who may not be aware of its mission or even know of its existence. This opportunity will help to enhance the value of Au Sable&rsquo;s offerings and encourage more Christians to embrace the important service that Au Sable provides to students around the country. The new site will reveal the treasure that students, faculty and alumni know Au Sable to be and share its message and mission globally through its online presence.</p>\n<p>\n	---------------------------------------------------<br />\n	If you have website design or programming experience and would be willing to lend your expertise, please contact Dieter, dbouma@ausable.org. We would love your help with small troubleshooting matters related to the new website.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}Website-Homepage.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(226,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable will kickoff a &#39;Friends of Au Sable&#39; (FAS) group composed of Au Sable alumni and supporters who have given their time, energy, and financial support to help the Institute further its mission.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}CloseUpofGirls.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />Au Sable will kickoff a Friends of Au Sable (FAS) group composed of Au Sable alumni and supporters who have given their time, energy, and financial support to help the Institute further its mission.&nbsp; The Friends group also will serve as a bridge to the many alumni and supporters who have been impacted by their engagement with Au Sable, and help to build up the creation care community by finding ways for alumni and supporters to connect with one another. The goal of FAS is to help alumni and supporters maintain contact with the Au Sable community they had become part of, help them to form connections with the wider Au Sable community, deepen their understanding and commitment to Christian environmental stewardship, and give them meaningful ways to assist Au Sable towards achieving its mission.</p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;The &lsquo;friends&rsquo; part of &lsquo;Friends of Au Sable&rsquo; has double-meaning,&rdquo; says Dave Mahan, Au Sable&rsquo;s Associate Director, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s for those who have been friends to the Institute through their help and contributions, but also for forming friendships and connections between Au Sable alumni and supporters across time and space. Strengthening Au Sable strengthens the Christian environmental stewardship community.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}alum-grad-fellows.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />The Friends group will be led by a steering committee of volunteers who will work with Au Sable staff. The committee will provide assistance in a variety of capacities, including helping to coordinate special events and gatherings; maintain up-to-date information on Au Sable alumni and supporters; assist with locating stories about Au Sable alumni; provide opportunities for alumni to learn of professional experiences, internships, and jobs; coordinate alumni feedback on Au Sable programs; and assist with communications and fundraising efforts.</p>\n<p>\n	Dieter Bouma, Assistant for Recruitment, Development, and Communications, says, &ldquo;The community created at Au Sable is unique.&nbsp; Much of it is intertwined with the uniqueness of the place and learning environment.&nbsp; Through &lsquo;Friends of Au Sable,&rsquo; we hope this community takes shape in a different way: one that gives back to Au Sable for the opportunities its afforded them and also one that encourages people professionally, vocationally, and spiritually.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&lsquo;Friends of Au Sable&rsquo; will kickoff soon by holding a photo contest to gather photos of people&rsquo;s experiences at Au Sable.&nbsp; The three categories will be field (nature shots), community (photos that capture Au Sable community), and place (photos that capture the interaction between the Au Sable community and the natural world). &nbsp;Alumni and supporters will vote on their favorites photos, and prizes will be awarded for photos with the most votes in each category.</p>\n<p>\n	________________<br />\n	Become a friend by <a href=\"{filedir_11}donate/ways_to_support_asi/\">supporting Au Sable</a> today, or by filling out your <a href=\"{filedir_11}alumni/update_my_contact_information/\">updated contact information</a> and writing &lsquo;Friend of Au Sable&rsquo; in the &lsquo;Comments&rsquo; section.&nbsp; If you&rsquo;re interested in becoming a part of the &lsquo;Friends&rsquo; steering committee, please write Dieter at <a href=\"mailto:dbouma@ausable.org?subject=Friends%20of%20Au%20Sable%20-%20Steering%20Committee\">dbouma@ausable.org</a>.</p>\n','none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(227,1,1,'<h1>\n	Donate</h1>\n<p>\n	Please click to proceed to the donation form.</p>\n<form action=\"https://www.oc2net.net/billing/DonationCentral/Select.asp?\" method=\"post\" target=\"_blank\">\n	<input name=\"MerchantID\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"52499\" /> <input name=\"RegKey\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"ECA43823-6D49-4E22-A5BE-0663537579A4\" /> <input class=\"shinyBtn\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Proceed to Donate\" />&nbsp;</form>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(228,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Last summer, Dr. Dave Warners and a group of twelve students taking Au Sable&rsquo;s &lsquo;Restoration Ecology&rsquo; class took on the challenge of restoring a 30 foot by 50 foot swath of God&#39;s Earth.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Restoration-class.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />Last summer, Dr. Dave Warners and a group of twelve students taking Au Sable&rsquo;s &lsquo;Restoration Ecology&rsquo; class stood around a 30 foot by 50 foot pile of soil. The soil lay on a slight slope of 10 degrees, its higher end resting against the North side of Earth Hall. In ecological terms, it was exposed. Combinations of rain, wind, and sun could sweep it away into a body of water, disperse it throughout the nearby forest, or manipulate its biological and abiotic composition. In addition, the soil came from another place. It was transplanted, meaning there were questions about the microbial community and, in turn, the soil&rsquo;s fertility. It seems natural that these technical and ecologically-sound questions would be floating through the minds of these students as they surveyed the plot. But there&rsquo;s a lot more to restoration than technical skill, though this is still woefully lacking in this nascent field. Restoration is in the business of cosmic questions for tangible results.</p>\n<h4>\n	<em>Existential Questions in Ecology</em></h4>\n<p>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; \">Restoration ecology starts out with its feet firmly planted in philosophy. The central question being, &ldquo;Restore to what?&rdquo; Over the many years this planet has been in existence, the landscape has seen many varying landscapes and ecosystems occupy the same location. Think of our little, 30x50 plot of soil. Perhaps a millennia ago, it was&nbsp;<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Restoration-plot.png\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" /></span>under water; 200 years ago, wetland; and present day, a pine-oak forest. What if the draining of the wetland 200 years ago led to the land&#39;s conversion to pine-oak forest? Should it be restored to wetlands, of which there are a diminishing number around the globe, or to the pine forest that replaced it? Or perhaps, something else? &nbsp;With all of the human disturbances that have altered the landscapes, restoration ecologists must decide what is most appropriate and for what purpose.</p>\n<h4>\n	<em>Restoration in Context</em></h4>\n<p>\n	While the debate over what to restore a place to may seem like a solely ecological question, it is also important to consider historical and contemporary context in the equation.</p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;One needs to know biology and ecology, but restoration work also happens within a certain context,&rdquo; says Warners, &ldquo;If the ecosystem has been damaged, you need to understand the impairment, and when you&rsquo;re done with the restoration project, you leave, but it stays there. You need people around who will take care of it well. All restoration work happens in a human-biological context.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000288.JPG\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />This reality adds a new dimension to ecological work. One of the interesting notes about ecology is how historically it has divorced human pressures on ecosystems from ecological research. Restoration takes place within both social and ecological contexts because one must both understand the history of how the land became degraded and also assess whether a community possesses the ethic and skill to value, care for, and sustain the restored ecosystem.</p>\n<h4>\n	<em>Where Plant Meets Ground</em></h4>\n<p>\n	Questions and context swirled in the heads of the &lsquo;Restoration Ecology&rsquo; students as they stood around this small slice of earth. The 30 by 50 foot plot was the group&rsquo;s class project where classroom learning met real-world praxis.</p>\n<p>\n	The students set to work asking questions: What caused this disturbance in the first place? What has historically been here? What are the current plot conditions? Who will care for this plot into the future?</p>\n<p>\n	Student Tori Yoder describes what emerged from their investigation and analysis:</p>\n<blockquote>\n	<p>\n		&quot;Historically the sandy hill beside Earth Hall had been a part of the surrounding pine-oak forest, but we decided to restore it to prairie for a couple reasons. First of all, it takes much longer to restore sites to forest than to prairie and there was a good possibility that the site would be disturbed again (when redoing the roof of Earth Hall) before a forest could take hold. Secondly, there is growing interest in restoring lawn to native grassland, and we envisioned this site as an educational tool for how to do so.&quot;</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000299.JPG\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	The confluence of history, sociology, and ecology resulted in prairie restoration. After critical assessment, the group realized that social factors made it possible for a prairie demonstration to reverberate throughout the community and the reality of further human disturbance could compromise forest restoration.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	They then had to bring their ideas to fruition. The group added a layer of leaves to carpet the sandy soil and improve its nutrient quality, laid logs in strategic locations to prevent the soil from eroding, and collected native plant seeds and plugs from nearby prairies as their local seed source.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	They also had plans for outreach. &nbsp;As&nbsp;Tori explains, &ldquo;We designed the site with a path running through it and a sign describing the restoration process so that the public could come observe and perhaps gain some ideas to utilize in their own restoration projects. We also built an experiment into our site by planting some sections with seeds only and some sections with plugs.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<em>The Results</em></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000321.JPG\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />Nine months later, it is uncertain what miracles took place in soil, plant, water, and air to determine what will emerge this spring. Very soon, the Au Sable campus will get its first glimpse. But in this project, other work bears fruit. Students exercise creative thinking that engages and meshes different disciplines, lessons in collaboration and decisive decision-making emerge, hands-on landscaping takes place, ethical local plant collection methods are considered, and research methods are put into practice. It also engages a different type of learner, one who deals with subject matter tangibly, in a hands-on, practical way. It also supplies spiritual lessons.</p>\n<p>\n	Fittingly, the Restoration class closed their course by hosting the last vespers worship service with reflections on restoration.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000315.JPG\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />As Tori reflects, &ldquo;I have become convinced that one day God will restore all relationships: our relationships with each other, our relationship to the natural environment, and the ecological relationships that keep ecosystems in balance. Romans 8: 21 says &lsquo;...the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.&rsquo; While complete restoration has not yet arrived, ecological restoration is a very real, tangible way to take part in God&#39;s ongoing restorative work in this world. While restoration seems slow and small in the face of so much destruction, it is an important act of hope and love.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-weight: bold; \"><em>Do It Yourself</em></span></p>\n<p>\n	Take part in an &quot;act of hope and love&quot;.&nbsp; Here are some lessons from the &lsquo;Restoration Ecology&rsquo; class for those of you interested in embarking on restoration work:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		<strong>Assess your plot.</strong> &ldquo;Sandy-gravelly soil, low nutrients, low sunshine, and areas with lots of rainfall and cloud cover pose the greatest challenge.&rdquo; (Dave Warners)</li>\n	<li>\n		<strong>Provide Healthy Context.</strong> &ldquo;Start with the soil!&nbsp; Native plants are not going to establish well if the soil is nutrient deficient or compacted.&rdquo; (Tori Yoder)</li>\n	<li>\n		<strong>Collect Seeds Carefully.</strong> &ldquo;Be <em>very</em> careful not to deplete native populations when taking seeds from local plants or transplanting local species.&nbsp; Use ethical principles and do your homework on local species.&rdquo; (Dave Warners) It&rsquo;s best to look for a native plant nursery nearby.</li>\n	<li>\n		<strong>Plant and Wait. </strong>&ldquo;Be patient!&nbsp; Native plants often take two to three years to establish so the restored area may not look National Geographic worthy right away.&rdquo; (Tori Yoder)</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	For a more technical breakdown on restoration work, check out resources on the Society for Restoration Ecology website: www.ser.org.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}Picture3.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(231,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(232,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-SummerResearch.jpg','xhtml','/courses/summer_research/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(233,1,12,'<h3>\n	<a href=\"/donate/testimonials/donor_profiles/\">Donor Testimonial</a></h3>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;The things that make the Au Sable experience so unique&nbsp;are needed more than ever as we try to&nbsp;live in creation. There seems&nbsp;to be too few places doing what Au Sable is doing, and&nbsp;I&nbsp;am glad to be part of a community that supports&nbsp;them into the future.&quot; <a href=\"/donate/testimonials/donor_profiles/\"><br />\n	Read More</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(234,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(235,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Not one for hyperbole, Bob Barr claimed this Spring &quot;the best display of early spring wildflowers in 30 years!&quot; &nbsp;See photos from the Great Lakes Campus.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	Not one for hyperbole, Bob Barr claimed this Spring &quot;the best display of early spring wildflowers in 30 years!&quot; &nbsp;In particular, Spring Beauty (<em>Claytonia virginica</em>), Dutchman&#39;s Breeches (<em>Dicentra Cucullaria</em>), and Trout Lily (<em>Erythronium americanum</em>) were extensive and vibrant (see photos below). &nbsp;It was just the touch of Spring we needed to get through a long winter: staff at the Great Lakes campus were concerned that all the snow wouldn&#39;t melt by the time students arrived for&nbsp;<a href=\"\">May Session</a>, and we don&#39;t want Michigan (or Au Sable) to garner that type of reputation! &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Our next goal: make sure they stick around until the&nbsp;<a href=\"\">Field Botany</a>&nbsp;students come for Summer Session I.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Trillium\" src=\"{filedir_5}Trillium.jpg\" style=\"cursor: default; float: left; width: 350px; height: 266px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Trout Lily\" src=\"{filedir_5}Trout_Lily(1).jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 350px; height: 258px; \" />&nbsp; &nbsp;Trillium&nbsp;(<em>Trillium grandiflorum</em>) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Trout Lily&nbsp;(<em>Erythronium americanum</em>)</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Dutchman\'s Breeches\" src=\"{filedir_5}Dutchmans_Breeches.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 350px; height: 263px; \" />&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Dutchman&#39;s Breeches (<em>Dicentra Cucullaria</em>)</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Spring Beauty\" src=\"{filedir_5}Spring_Beauty.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 350px; height: 263px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Spring Beauty (<em>Claytonia virginica</em>)</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Trout_Lily1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(240,1,8,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','1','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(237,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Associate Director Dave Mahan reviews Jim Ball&#39;s (EEN) new book, &quot;Global Warming and the Risen Lord.&quot;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<strong>Book Review: &lsquo;Global Warming and the Risen Lord&rsquo; by<a _mce_href=\"http://krusedesignllc.com/ausable/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Global_Warming_and_the_Risen_Lord-cover1.jpg\" href=\"http://krusedesignllc.com/ausable/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Global_Warming_and_the_Risen_Lord-cover1.jpg\"><img _mce_src=\"http://krusedesignllc.com/ausable/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Global_Warming_and_the_Risen_Lord-cover1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-721\" height=\"193\" src=\"http://krusedesignllc.com/ausable/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Global_Warming_and_the_Risen_Lord-cover1.jpg\" style=\"border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: right; \" title=\"Global_Warming_and_the_Risen_Lord-cover\" width=\"125\" /></a>Reverend&nbsp;Jim Ball and published by the Evangelical Environmental Network (www.creationcare.org).</strong></p>\n<p>\n	The book&rsquo;s subtitle, &lsquo;Christian Discipleship and Climate Change&rsquo; is an apt foretaste of what awaits the reader. This book is a fresh look at the subject of climate change from a distinctly Christian perspective.&nbsp; Part one is a general, but comprehensive overview of the basics of climate change and its impacts on the Earth and the people of the Earth, particularly the poor.&nbsp; The second part of the book is really a spiritual challenge, encouraging us to apply our faith to fundamental issues in life or as the author puts it, to &lsquo;serve the Risen LORD.&rsquo;&nbsp; Part three offers a series of suggestions for addressing climate change, both individually, in our society and in a broader world perspective.&nbsp; While Christians are encouraged to be &lsquo;agents of transformation&rsquo; in all we do, the author reminds us of the unique presence of Christ that is with all believers to encourage and strengthen us in our work.</p>\n<p>\n	While the book is well-researched in the basics of climate change, its highlight, at least to this reader, was its distinctly personal approach.&nbsp; Jim uses a number of personal stories to both illustrate his points and to challenge the reader.&nbsp; One can&rsquo;t help but be impressed with Jim&rsquo;s passion for service to his Lord and his commitment to care for this world that we have been called to steward as the Creator&rsquo;s representatives.</p>\n<p>\n	&ndash;&nbsp;<em>Dave Mahan, Associate Director, Au Sable Institute</em></p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Global_Warming_and_the_Risen_Lord-cover.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(241,1,1,'','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(242,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-PhotoContest_copy.jpg','xhtml','/news_and_resources/blog/friends_of_au_sable_photo_contest','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(243,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dust off your albums, dig out your old negatives, or fire up your computer - Friends of Au Sable is announcing its first ever&nbsp;<a href=\"http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=skjx7fdab&amp;et=1105889042228&amp;s=0&amp;e=0012AVVm0Ix4TU_vXXZZQ3VUKyuGAcEn4gD-G9_DJE2sI27t630WgqXnbfUh9IwBeY6kCRzmDxzVoEVmL2cxBVHOqFtHuNeGn725oq0JrlIV8e5uDWv-FltT1d3NCtDnZ_3\" linktype=\"link\" shape=\"rect\" target=\"_blank\" track=\"on\">Au Sable photo contest</a>!</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"Photo Contest banner\" src=\"{filedir_5}ASI-Photo-Contest.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px; height: 323px; float: right; \" />Dust off your albums, dig out your old negatives, or fire up your computer - Friends of Au Sable is announcing its first ever <a href=\"http://ausablephotocontest.weebly.com/\">Au Sable photo contest</a>!</p>\n<p>\n	Friends of Au Sable invites all members of the Au Sable community to submit their best, most memorable photos taken during their time at Au Sable for the contest (see below for how to enter). Photos can be submitted for three categories: <em><strong>Field </strong></em>(photos of nature), <strong><em>Community</em></strong> (photos that capture Au Sable community), and <em><strong>Place</strong></em> (photos that capture the interaction between the Au Sable community and the natural world). Photos will be voted on by the greater Au Sable community to win prizes.</p>\n<p>\n	If you&#39;d like to enter, please submit your photos, ranked in order of preference, by <strong>midnight on Thursday, June 16th</strong> to this e-mail address (dbouma@ausable.org). We will post a certain number of your pictures depending on the number of submissions we receive. All photos should include:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		Your name</li>\n	<li>\n		Submission category (field, community, place)</li>\n	<li>\n		Year and term photo was taken</li>\n	<li>\n		Location of the photo</li>\n	<li>\n		Ranked order of preference</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	The four main prizes are:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		<strong>The Dave Mahan</strong>: Your very own, newly purchased pair of (Dave&#39;s famous) purple biking socks and a $50 gift certificate to your favorite outdoor store</li>\n	<li>\n		<strong>The Bob Barr</strong>: You receive Bob&#39;s latest technological invention, his &quot;Blackberry Analog&quot; (e.g., pocket-size notebook) and a $50 gift certificate to a home repair, hardware or maintenance store for energy-efficient or green products of your choice</li>\n	<li>\n		<strong>The Trish Fagg</strong>: A bag of Trish&#39;s morning, pick-me-up fair trade coffee and a $50 gift certificate for book or other education item purchases to increase your knowledge of the natural world and stewardship</li>\n	<li>\n		<strong>The Martin Price</strong>: A gardening hat that matches Martin&#39;s and a $50 gift certificate to your favorite gardening or agriculture center&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	The grand prize, regardless of category, will be awarded by a panel of artistic, Au Sable alumni. The photo with the most votes for each category also will win one of the four prizes. The grand prize winner will choose their prize first, followed by the category winners in order of votes received. Voting will begin from June 17 to June 24 via our <a href=\"http://ausablephotocontest.weebly.com/\">Photo Contest Website</a> or our <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150214390509395&amp;set=a.10150214390064395.329329.45780179394&amp;type=1&amp;theater\">Facebook page</a> (click on either link). Vote on our photo contest website through our polling feature, or on our facebook page by simply clicking &quot;like&quot; for the photo of your choice.</p>\n<p>\n	Happy selecting!</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Red_Eft.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(239,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Trish Fagg, Au Sable Environmental Education coordinator, reviews this illuminating book on the myriad ways that children&#39;s interaction with the environment impacts their psychological well-being, healthy habits, educational performance, and spiritual development.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}last-child-louv.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 373px; \" />Ask children how they spend their free time and you usually get a list of indoor activities involving bright glowing screens and electronic gizmos.&nbsp; I, like Richard Louv, have been told by children that they cannot be too far from an electric outlet, especially if a video game consule is plugged into it.&nbsp; In his book,&nbsp;<u>Last Child in the Woods</u>, Louv unpacks the ways that these newfound inclinations for indoor play impact our children.&nbsp; What results is a wonderful ode to the outdoors as well as an alarm bell for our nation&rsquo;s children.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Louv documents the tendency of the last two generations of children to spend little time outdoors.&nbsp; This is not isolated to one geographic region but is seen across the nation.&nbsp; It is radically different from all preceding generations.&nbsp; In the past, we took it for granted that children spent large amounts of time in natural settings and took in all the benefits that this time bestows, including a heart-felt love for particular places.&nbsp; Since we are shaped by what we love, the natural world has had a profound influence on who we are as human beings.&nbsp; It begs the question: how is a child&rsquo;s heart shaped by indoor spaces, video games, and screens?</p>\n<p>\n	Louv examines the impact of this &ldquo;nature deficit&rdquo; on our children &ndash; and if truth be told &ndash; on ourselves.&nbsp; He examines the impact on our mental, physical, and spiritual health. &nbsp;In doing the research for the book, Louv looked to a number of disciplines from education and educational psychology to neurology.&nbsp; He sought insight from the fields of environmental therapy, mental health, urban design, parks and recreation, creativity, and playground design. He also explored the relatively new field of ecopsychology.&nbsp; Most importantly, he interviewed children, parents, and teachers.</p>\n<p>\n	The outcome of his research is an exploration of the term he coined, nature&ndash;deficit disorder, which &ldquo;[describes] the human costs of alienation from nature.&rdquo;&nbsp; One cost is the atrophy of the senses.&nbsp; Direct experiences encompass what we see, feel, taste, hear and smell for ourselves.&nbsp; &ldquo;Without direct experiences, our experience of daily life is impoverished.&rdquo;&nbsp; Louv cites John Dewey&rsquo;s warning about relying on secondary experiences to teach children.&nbsp; Secondary experiences typically rely on only vision and hearing and ask children to learn through vicarious experience.&nbsp; Dewey felt secondary experiences come with the risk of depersonalizing human life.&nbsp; Multisensory experiences in nature, on the other hand, enrich life and help to build &ldquo;the cognitive constructs necessary for sustained intellectual development.&rdquo;&nbsp; Louv warns that nature-deficit disorder leads to &lsquo;cultural autism&rsquo; with atrophied, tunneled senses and feelings of isolation.</p>\n<p>\n	Another cost is difficulty concentrating.&nbsp; Involvement in nature enhances the ability to pay attention.&nbsp; Louv cites new studies that show the positive effects nature has on children suffering from ADHD.&nbsp; Time spent outdoors calms and improves one&rsquo;s ability to focus.&nbsp; Louv goes on to state that nature improves all children&rsquo;s ability to focus, hones their cognitive abilities, and gives resistance to negative stress.</p>\n<p>\n	A third cost of nature-deficit disorder is higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.&nbsp; Louv recalls the urgings of naturalist and professor, Elaine Brooks, who felt strongly that we needed to teach how to &ldquo;use the environmental to recover our wits.&rdquo;&nbsp; As one mental health researcher states, &ldquo;An indoor, sedentary childhood is linked to mental health problems.&rdquo;&nbsp; Louv cites that depression among our nation&rsquo;s children is on the rise.&nbsp; While exclusion from nature can lead to mental health problems, studies show that in many cases time spent in nature is as effective as medications in treating depression.&nbsp; Nature should be considered a preventative as well as a alternative treatment therapy for mental health issues. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Finally, nature-deficit disorder also impacts spiritual health since, as Louv rightly notes, &ldquo;conservation is, at its core, a spiritual act.&rdquo; &nbsp;As Louv points out creation is not ours but God&rsquo;s.&nbsp; We conserve creation for God as well as for those who come after us.&nbsp; Louv makes the connection between how one treats creation and loving one&rsquo;s neighbor: if I love my neighbor, I will not pollute his air, water, or food or diminish creation&rsquo;s ability to give him joy and health.&nbsp; We need to &ldquo;develop leaders who will do battle to save our natural world&rdquo; and &ldquo;take a stand for the greater justice for all people&rdquo; by caring for God&rsquo;s earth. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	While Louv&rsquo;s book is a thorough analysis of the myriad ways that the outdoors impacts us &ldquo;almost at a cellular level,&rdquo; it is this spiritual piece that affirms faith-based organizations like Au Sable Institute in &ldquo;help[ing] reclaim nature as part of the spiritual development of children.&rdquo;&nbsp; One is reminded of Au Sable Institute&rsquo;s roots.&nbsp; In 1959 nine men had a vision for a junior science summer camp.&nbsp; They saw the power of learning about God in the context of learning about God&rsquo;s world while living in close proximity to creation.&nbsp; And thus, Au Sable Trails Camp for Youth began.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	This vision continues in Au Sable Institute&rsquo;s environmental education program.&nbsp; Besides our day programs for local schools, Au Sable also provides two and three day programs for students from Christian middle and high schools.&nbsp; Christian students study aspects of creation in the context of their faith and scripture while living surrounded by creation&rsquo;s beauty on Au Sable&rsquo;s campus.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The principles of Louv&#39;s book undergird much of Au Sable&#39;s work, and hopefully others will be swayed by how convincingly it is written.&nbsp; If you have children in your life, it is critical that you take opportunities to get them outside.&nbsp; Be intentional.&nbsp; Make a plan.&nbsp; Give your children (or grandchildren) a daily touch point with creation.&nbsp; Childhood is short.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t put it off.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}last-child-louv.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(245,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Being in the field so much gives classes the opportunity to have some spectacularly rare and up close encounters with nature. Dr. Ken Petersen and his Ornithology class happened to be in the right place at the right time for this encounter with sandhill cranes.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Sandhill-Cranes.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px; height: 278px; float: right; \" />Being in the field so much gives classes the opportunity to have some spectacularly rare and up close encounters with nature. Dr. Ken Petersen and his Ornithology class happened to be in the right place at the right time for this encounter:</p>\n<blockquote>\n	<p>\n		<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \">&quot;On one occasion we had literally reached the end of the road (a tree that had blown down in a recent storm was blocking this particular dirt road) and were exploring a beautiful river valley on foot. As we passed a small, open field, one of the students spotted a pair of Sandhill Cranes foraging near the edge of the field. They were about 100 feet from us. They seemed to pay us little mind (very unusual), so we were able to watch them for several minutes. Abruptly one of the cranes lifted it&rsquo;s head and let loose a full-throated call. The other responded. The pair continued to duet like this for a minute or so. Because the location was otherwise peaceful, at our close range the calls were extraordinarily loud. These primal, rattling, bugling calls echoed through the valley. Shortly, another pair of cranes flew over the field. The pair that we had been watching unfolded their wings and lifted themselves off the ground, continuing to call. They gained about 30 feet of altitude, turned, and flew right past our position as if they knew we were already impressed and wanted to deepen the impression. They continued in a slow, wide, upward spiral, calling all the while. Eventually, their flight straightened out and they followed the other pair of cranes over the horizon.&quot;</span></p>\n</blockquote>\n','none','{filedir_1}Sandhill-Cranes-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(246,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	The first ever Friends of Au Sable photo contest was a success! &nbsp;Check out our winners, honorable mentions, and get involved with Friends of Au Sable.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	We&#39;re happy to announce the winners from the first ever <em>Friends of Au Sable</em> photo contest! If you&#39;re unfamiliar with&nbsp;<em>Friends</em>, it&#39;s a group of Au Sable alumni and supporters who give their time, energy, and financial support to help Au Sable further its mission. We are currently looking for people to serve on the <em>Friends</em> advisory board, so if you&#39;re interested, please contact Dieter for more information (dbouma@ausable.org).</p>\n<p>\n	We hope that you had as much fun with the <em>Friends&nbsp;of Au Sable</em> Photo Contest as we did! These beautiful pictures poured in throughout the week, and it was exciting to see the flurry of participation -- through votes, reminiscences, exclamations, and jokes. It reminded us how unique and special the Au Sable experience can be: the opportunity to learn about God&#39;s world around us, see beautiful wildlife and landscapes, and live in community together. <strong>Thanks to all of you who submitted pictures and brought us back to our own Au Sable experiences!</strong></p>\n<p>\n	While we were overwhelmed by the number of beautiful photos and talented photographers, we&#39;re pleased to announce our winners. A panel of artistic, Au Sable alumni made up of <a href=\"http://www.christisobel.com/\">Christi Sobel</a>, <a href=\"http://www.laurelsprengercards.com/\">Laurel Sprenger</a>, and Megan Stitzel selected our grand prize winner and honorable mentions. The winners for each category were selected by you, the wider Au Sable community. Winners will get to choose from our list of <a href=\"http://ausablephotocontest.weebly.com/prizes.html\">staff-inspired prizes</a>. &nbsp;You can view all of our photos on our <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Au-Sable-Institute-of-Environmental-Studies/45780179394\">facebook page</a>.</p>\n<p>\n	Without further ado, here are the winners and honorable mentions:</p>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Grand Prize Winner</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Spring Peeper\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-Whitsett-2-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 426px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Spring Peeper,&quot; Collin Whitsett (Great Lakes Campus, SSII 2009)</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>\n	&nbsp;</h2>\n<h2>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Runner-Up</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Mount Rainier\" src=\"{filedir_5}Amber-Unger-2-field.JPG\" style=\"width: 550px; height: 733px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Mount Rainier,&quot; Amber Unger (Pacific Rim, July 2010)</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>\n	&nbsp;</h2>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Runner-Up</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Students Jumping at Sleeping Bear Dunes\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-Whitsett-8-community.jpg\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 426px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Dune Jumping,&quot; Collin Whitsett (Sleeping Bear Dunes, SSI 2011)</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>\n	&nbsp;</h2>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Field Category Winner</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Big Twin Sunset\" src=\"{filedir_5}Amber-Yike-1-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 480px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Big Twin Lake, Sunset,&quot; Amber Yike (Great Lakes Campus, May 2010)</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>\n	&nbsp;</h2>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Community Category Winner</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Whidbey Island Barracks\" src=\"{filedir_5}Dannielle-Favela-1-Community _Whidbey Island.JPG\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 436px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Whidbey Island Barracks,&quot; Dannielle Favela (Pacific Rim, Summer 2007)</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>\n	&nbsp;</h2>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Place Category Winner</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Mount Pilchuck\" src=\"{filedir_5}Christy-Goulet-1-place.JPG\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 960px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Mount Pilchuck,&quot; Christy Goulet (Pacific Rim, SSI 2010)</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>\n	&nbsp;</h2>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(128, 0, 0); \">Honorable Mentions</span></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Ashley-Free6_campus_summer_1_2007-community.jpg\" style=\"width: 459px; height: 604px;\" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-Whitsett-4-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 426px; height: 640px; \" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Adan-Bretschneider-4-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 853px; \" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}christy-goulet-2-field1.JPG\" style=\"width: 550px; height: 825px; \" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Hannah-Boughton-2-Low Tide.png\" style=\"width: 552px; height: 370px; \" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Jacob-Eldridge-1-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 427px; \" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Marjie-Tobias-2-field.JPG\" style=\"width: 640px; height: 480px; \" /></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Ashley-Free4_campus_summer_1_2007-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 604px; height: 459px; \" /><br />\n	&nbsp;</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Collin-Whitsett-2-field_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(247,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Looking for something to do during this summer?&nbsp; Join us for a host of free outdoor&nbsp;programs every Thursday night almost all of July.&nbsp; All programs are family friendly and will take place outside on Au Sable&rsquo;s grounds. &nbsp;<a href=\"http://eeatausableinstitute.blogspot.com\">Sneak up on owls</a>, learn to read the landscape, discuss the history of sportsmen and conservation, and hunt for butterflies!</p>\n','none','<p align=\"center\">\n	Looking for something to do during this summer?&nbsp; Join us for a host of free outdoor&nbsp;programs almost every Thursday night at 7 PM in July. &nbsp;Our programs will culminate in our semi-annual butterfly day on Saturday, July 30th. &nbsp;All programs are family friendly and will take place outside on Au Sable&rsquo;s grounds.&nbsp; Cost of attendance is free, but donations are welcome to support Au Sable&rsquo;s on-going&nbsp;Environmental Education program for school-age youth throughout the Grand Traverse Bay region.</p>\n<p align=\"center\">\n	Au Sable is located at <strong>7526 Sunset Trail NE, Mancelona, MI 49659</strong>. &nbsp;Click here to view our <a href=\"{filedir_5}Au_Sable_Institute-Map.pdf\">printable map</a> or view an <a href=\"http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210531812765287704148.0004a1fca0a35620ccd0d&amp;msa=0&amp;ll=44.823765,-84.957876&amp;spn=0.017502,0.027595\">online map</a> to our campus.</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong>July, 7<sup>th</sup>, <em>7pm</em>- Owls!&nbsp; (All Ages)</strong></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}news-and-resources.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 113px; \" />Owls are one of the first creatures that we become familiar with as children.&nbsp; With their conspicuous eyes, spooky calls, and nocturnal nature they have a reputation of mysteriousness that children love.&nbsp; Sadly, during childhood is when many of us stop learning about these amazing creatures.&nbsp; Join us for a refresher on what makes owls so great and remind yourself what is like to be a kid again. &nbsp;<a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/owl_night_in_review\">READ OUR REVIEW OF OWL NIGHT</a>!</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong>July, 14<sup>th</sup>, <em>7pm </em>- Reading the Landscape (All Ages)</strong></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-Whitsett-3-field.jpg\" style=\"width: 115px; height: 173px; \" />Often as we stroll through the woods we are delighted by the call of a familiar bird or the bloom of a particular flower and rightly so.&nbsp; However, these occurrences are only a small part of the story being told all around you.&nbsp; As we learn to read the landscape we take into consideration the history of the land and the events that have lead to the current state of our surroundings.&nbsp; Come and find out how to read Au Sable&rsquo;s landscape, as we put together the pieces of the past and watch our understanding of the present unfold. <a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/the_story_of_our_place\">READ OUR REVIEW OF READING THE LANDSCAPE</a>!</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong>July, 21<sup>st</sup>, <em>7pm</em> - A History of Sportsmen and Conservation</strong> <strong>(Adults) </strong></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Amber-Unger-7-field.JPG\" style=\"width: 125px; height: 188px; \" />Northern Michigan&rsquo;s rolling forests and vast amounts of water make it a great place to be a sportsman.&nbsp; Yet there was a time when our nations land and water were being altered to the extent that it threatened the livelihood of our wildlife and wild places.&nbsp; In what would emerge as the beginning of the conservation movement, sportsmen stepped forward to protect the resources they loved so that future generations might also be able to experience a wild America.&nbsp; Join us for a discussion of sportsmen and the conservation movement and stay to tell a few stories afterward.</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong>July, 30<sup>th </sup>(<u>Saturday</u>), <em>1-3pm </em>&ndash; Butterfly Day!&nbsp; (All Ages)</strong></h2>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}DSC_1055.JPG\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 100px; \" />It&rsquo;s back!&nbsp; Au Sable&rsquo;s semi-annual butterfly day is here again.&nbsp; Join us for an afternoon celebration of native plants, gardens, and butterflies.&nbsp; Tour our butterfly house, be led on a butterfly hunt through our trails, and pick up some native plant ideas for the home.&nbsp; There&rsquo;s sure to be something for everyone!</p>\n<p align=\"center\">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p align=\"center\">\n	For more information about educational opportunities at Au Sable Institute&nbsp;visit:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/k12programs/\">http://ausable.org/k12programs/</a>&nbsp;and for updates about community events&nbsp;follow us on our blog at:&nbsp; <a href=\"http://www.eeatausableinstitute.blogspot.com/\">www.eeatausableinstitute.blogspot.com</a></p>\n','none','{filedir_1}butterfly_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(253,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Summer Research student Collin Whitsett discusses his research project on the threatened Pitcher&#39;s Thistle&nbsp;(<em>Cirsium pitcheri</em>). &nbsp;Collin is one of six students doing research this summer at Au Sable.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<em><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-Whitsett-headshot.jpg\" style=\"height: 100px; width: 92px; float: left; \" />Collin Whitsett is a senior Biology Major at Southern Nazarene University. &nbsp;Last year, he took our new course &#39;Molecular Tools for Field Biology&#39; at the Great Lakes Campus, which provided the foundation for his research this summer on genetic diversity in Pitcher&#39;s Thistle. &nbsp;Having already taken seven Au Sable courses during this college career, Collin has already achieved &#39;Au Sable Groupie&#39; status. &nbsp;</em></p>\n<div>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Pitchers_Thistle.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 300px; float: right; \" /><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">My research this summer involves mapping genetic diversity within and amongst populations of Pitcher&#39;s thistle (<em>Cirsium pitcheri</em>), a threatened plant species that resides exclusively in Great Lakes dune ecosystems. For this summer, I&#39;m examining four populations and 20 individuals within each population. While more sites will eventually be needed for greater inference power, the hope is that the data could shed light on historical distributional patterns for the species and other facets of its natural history.&nbsp;</span>Let me use an example to illustrate this. Suppose one of my northern population sites for the species produces more seeds than it has the carrying capacity (i.e. space, resources, etc.) to support and that much of the extra seed blows into Lake Michigan and is carried south by shoreline currents. Suppose then that the seeds come to rest at my southern population site for the species, which isn&#39;t able to produce enough seed to support its long term existence on its own, but, subsidized by seed from the first site that gets carried there by the lake currents, it can persist healthfully. Molecular genetic data can identify such connections between sites because plants at both sites would show a higher degree relatedness (i.e. similar genetic structure) to one another. Knowing such a relationship between two sites could improve management of the species. For a conservation organization with limited funds, for example, it would be more advantageous to protect the first site (the one that produces more seed than it can support on its own) rather than the second site because if the first site suffered, the second would likely suffer with it thanks to having lost part of its own seed supply.</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-in-lab.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 196px; float: left; \" />Now that I&#39;ve explained one of the benefits that molecular research can have, let me tell you how I&#39;m doing it. First, a quick background on DNA is necessary: within DNA, there are genes--molecular directions that determine how an organism gets built. But there are also large portions of DNA that, as far as scientists know, don&#39;t code for anything. When a mutation occurs in a coding part of DNA (i.e. a gene), the individual will be somehow affected by it. When a mutation occurs in a noncoding region of DNA, nothing at all happens to the individual. I&#39;m examining locations in Pitcher&#39;s thistle&#39;s DNA that don&#39;t code for traits in the plants. The advantage of using non-coding DNA is that it&#39;s a more neutral means of examination for genetic diversity. Since all changes in this area don&#39;t affect the plant, there&#39;s no chance that a change could occur and then be selected back out of the plant because it yields a less optimal physical expression. In other words, whereas selection can delete changes that occur in coding regions, there is no likelihood of that occurring in noncoding regions since changes don&#39;t actually affect any physical traits in the plant. Thus, more variation tends to accumulate in noncoding regions, which makes my job easier.&nbsp;</span></div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}DNA-analysis.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 188px; float: right; \" /></span></div>\n<div>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">So far, I&#39;ve extracted DNA from all my tissue samples (80 of them). Basically, this process involves smashing a small fragment of leaf tissue to a pulp and then treating it with a few different chemicals and filters to dissolve other molecules from the pulp and sift out all the non-DNA matter. Coming up, I will use a portion of each DNA sample I now have and isolate four different non-coding locations within the plant&#39;s genome. Once these regions are isolated, I can use a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify (i.e. make more copies) of the isolated strands. From there, each sample will then be examined on a genetic analyzer--a machine smaller than a dishwasher that costs $150,000 --, and this machine can tell me exactly how long each fragment of DNA is that I&#39;m examining. The length of each fragment is the genetic information I&#39;m ultimately after. I will then use the data I compile on each plant and compare the genetic variation I observe within and between populations.</span></div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Ok, I believe I&#39;ve written enough to overload just about anyone, but I hope you find this as fascinating as I find it!</span></div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	------</div>\n<div>\n	<a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/alex_de_sosa_wetlands_research\">Read about Alex de Sosa&#39;s research</a> to determine a &#39;representative&#39; wetland plant community as a guide for homeowners dealing with invasive species and how this work has taught academic and spiritual lessons.</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}Collin-Whitsett-headshot.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(248,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_1}HP-Rotator-July-Days.jpg','xhtml','/news_and_resources/news/2011_summer_community_programs_at_au_sable_institute','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(249,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Trish.jpg','xhtml','/donate/environmental_education_fund/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(250,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	As Summer Session II begins today, Eastern University student Brittany Bennett (SSII 2010) previews this session&#39;s &#39;Restoration Ecology&#39; course by reflectiong on what she learned and experienced in last summer&#39;s course.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	The following is a reflection by Brittany Bennett, Restoration Ecology student, SSII 2010:</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Restoration-Ecology-Working.jpg\" style=\"width: 300px; height: 399px; float: right; \" />In the summer of 2010, I took the Restoration Ecology class with 11 other students. Our class project was to restore an area of the ASI &ndash;Great Lakes Campus (we chose the hill on the side of Earth Hall). There were three &nbsp;things that I learned about restoration that session, which I shared during the Vespers worship service that our class put together:</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>1) Restoration is never done, and not always satisfying.</strong></p>\n<p>\n	Dr. Warners explained this to us. A restoration project is never done, because ecology is dynamic, and we never fully know what that site was supposed to be, or how it will eventually be. You can put all kinds of effort into restoring an area, but you might not be around to see its succession. That&rsquo;s not to say that there aren&rsquo;t some experiences of satisfaction, because there is an amazing feeling that comes with seeing the work that your hands have done, which can be felt at multiple stages. Yet, we know that we have only gotten somewhere close. Still, we have to try. I love this quote from &ldquo;Dance to the Piper&rdquo;:</p>\n<p style=\"margin-left:.5in;\">\n	<em>&ldquo;<strong>There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is transplanted through you into action</strong>, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique&hellip;.You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open<strong>&hellip;. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest</strong> that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the other. And at times I think could kick you until you can&rsquo;t stand.&rdquo; </em></p>\n<p>\n	<strong>2) Restoration is sacred.</strong></p>\n<p>\n	It&rsquo;s amazing because we can all participate in some sort of restoration project in our communities. And when we do, we act in recognition of something so much bigger than ourselves. In recognition of something we grasp at the surface, and sense deeply. As followers of Christ, we recognize this as the work of bringing little pieces of the kingdom to earth. It is work that flows forth as recognition of the renewal that Christ has worked in us, and that He is working in all creation. I can&rsquo;t help it, so here&rsquo;s another reference to blessed unrest from a book with that very title!</p>\n<p style=\"margin-left:.5in;\">\n	<em>&ldquo;Healing the wounds of the earth and its people does not require saintliness or a political party, only gumption and persistence. <strong>It is not a liberal or a conservative activity; it is a sacred act. It is a massive enterprise undertaken by ordinary citizen everywhere</strong>, not by self-appointed governments or oligarchies.&rdquo; (Paul Hawken, &ldquo;Blessed Unrest&rdquo;)</em></p>\n<p>\n	<strong>3) Restoration is humbling.</strong></p>\n<p>\n	To repeat &ndash; it involves ordinary citizens. My classmates and I were basically let loose on our restoration project. Yes, we were college students specializing in this area, and we had some guidance from our professor, but we were still kids, and we had no money and only two weeks. Can you realize that all it takes is a few people who know what they&rsquo;re doing to get the rest of us making an impact? I have to think there&rsquo;s always something that the average person with little/no experience can do on these restoration projects.</p>\n<p>\n	But it&rsquo;s not just that we were ordinary. I feel incredibly humbled during restoration, because of the fact that I can be used by God in this way. To mix my labor with something that was dysfunctional and degraded, and see it change into something it used to be or just help it be closer to what it should be&hellip;is beautiful. And I&rsquo;m thankful for it. I also can&rsquo;t understand why a broken sinner like me should&rsquo;ve even been part of it. &nbsp;But then again I do, because I realize these are the type of people God works through:</p>\n<p style=\"margin-left:.5in;\">\n	<em>&ldquo;<strong>Think of what you were when you were called</strong>. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are, so that none may boast before Him.&rdquo; (I Corin. 1:26-29)</em></p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Ok&hellip; 4) It can also be really fun!</strong></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Restoration-Ecology-Celebration.jpg\" style=\"width: 399px; height: 300px; float: left; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	(Photos courtesy of Dave Warners)</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Restoration-Ecology-Celebration_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(251,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Our memorable night of all-things-owls: games, spooky stories,&nbsp;poems, and an &quot;owl walk&quot; to remember.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}owl-pic-2.JPG\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 174px; float: right; \" />Our first Communty Days program kicked off last night, introducing people to owls and their amazing adaptations that allow them to be successful, nocturnal creatures.<span>&nbsp;</span>Our audience was terrific: a group of 42 highly enthusiastic people hailing from as&nbsp;far away as Missouri, Colorado, and even Texas!<span>&nbsp;</span>When asked if they had come all the way up just for our presentation, they said no.<span>&nbsp;</span>They were up visiting family members on the lake. But we&#39;re pretty sure that if we&#39;d advertised in their home States, they would&#39;ve made the effort. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	It was a great night. Audience members were introduced to why owls are so alluring whether it be for their sage <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ0epRjfGLw\">Tootsie Pop wisdom</a>, their silly peculiar nature as in <a href=\"http://allpoetry.com/poem/8564617-The_Owl-Critic-by-James_Thomas_Fields\">James T. Fields poem&nbsp;<em>The Owl</em></a>, or their sometimes spooky association with scary stories and the dark; owls are culturally ubiquitous.</p>\n<p>\n	Before long we were outside enjoying the soft evening light that illuminated smiles on the children&rsquo;s faces as they tried their best to be sneaky like an owl in a game called &ldquo;Sneaky Owls Need to Trick Jake to Eat the Baby Opossum in the Middle of the Circle&rdquo; (other popular names for the same game include a much simpler, &ldquo;Owl/Opossum&rdquo;).</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Owl-pics.JPG\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 173px; float: left; \" />With all our tricky, &quot;owl&quot; children full on opossum, we headed out on the trail to try our luck at rounding up some owls on Au Sable&rsquo;s campus. Having hid taxidermied Snowy, Barred, and Great Horned Owls at various spots along the trail beforehand, participants had to use their owl eyes to locate the inconspicuous raptors during the hike (with the exception of the snowy owl -- it&rsquo;s frustratingly difficult to hide a white owl in the summer&hellip;). Alas, participants did a great job and with each sighting we were able to look at the owl up close and talk about the adaptations and habits of each individual bird.</p>\n<div>\n	<p>\n		As the evening wound down, we retired to the dining hall to fill our bellies with cookies, coffee, and lemonade (it&#39;s surprising how kids can make room after eating a full meal of opossum). It was the end of a great night and the beginning of a fun stretch of <a href=\"http://ausable.org/news_and_resources/news/2011_summer_community_programs_at_au_sable_institute\">Thursday evening Community Days programs</a> we will be hosting most of the month. Next up at 7pm on Thursday, July 14<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;we will be learning how to read the landscape. Join us again for an exciting time out on the trails learning how to decipher the story being told by the plants and animals all around us. We hope to see you there!</p>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}BarnOwls.PRI__thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(252,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Last Thursday&#39;s Community Days program explored the ingredients of our place.&nbsp; Weaved with story, Trish Fagg led children and adults alike on a hike that worked to link the history of our land with our present understanding.</p>\n','none','<div id=\"cke_pastebin\">\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"Sharing the Story\" src=\"{filedir_5}RTL 1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 166px; \" />Fortunately the weather held out last Thursday for our community program that took participants around Au Sable&rsquo;s trails to decipher the story of our landscape.&nbsp; The program was lead by Trish Fagg, founder of Au Sable&rsquo;s environmental education program.&nbsp; Trish has been at Au Sable for 34 years and knows as well as anyone how the landscape has changed since she first arrived.&nbsp; But there was more to her story than that&hellip;</p>\n	<p>\n		With most of the 20 participants in attendance joining us from around Big Twin Lake, the story Trish presented of Au Sable&rsquo;s woods is also the story of their woods as well.&nbsp; It&nbsp;began with a description of the pristine wilderness that preceded European settlement and even Michigan statehood in 1837.&nbsp; Trish asked us to imagine a landscape where towering white pines dominated the expanse, where human beings were as rare a creature as the bear or wolf. &nbsp;Our story of the landscape began&nbsp;&nbsp;amongst the the ecologically mature, old growth forests.</p>\n	<img alt=\"Calling for Birds\" src=\"{filedir_5}RTL 2.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 166px; float: right; \" />\n	<p>\n		Trish continued to tell of the changes undergone since that &ldquo;pristine&rdquo; moment in time.&nbsp; European trappers&nbsp;and Catholic missionaries were some of the first outsiders to move through the area. &nbsp;Their presence affected the way Native Americans had grown accustom to using the land.&nbsp; Later, loggers like Louie Sands moved through and began harvesting the great northern forests.&nbsp; Stumps on our Au Sable property, like statues to a different time, remind us of the men who labored winter after winter to log our great white pines; their body heat perhaps the only warmth emanating from the forests those cold winter months over a hundred years ago; their voices and saws perhaps the only sounds.</p>\n	<img alt=\"Trish in the Field\" src=\"{filedir_5}RTL 4.jpg\" style=\"width: 166px; height: 250px; float: left; \" />\n	<p>\n		In the aftermath of the economic boom fueled by the immense logging that took place in our northwoods, the landscape and it&rsquo;s sandy soil was primed for fire.&nbsp; Coal from the railroad ignited the dried slash and set to blaze the surrounding land.&nbsp; Stumps charred with fire scars show evidence of the intensity of the fire that spared precious few trees.&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		As our walk continued, Trish wove the variety of plants around us into the story.&nbsp; Our forest today tells the story of succession, mosses prepare the denuded soil for grasses and sun-craving shrubs and trees.&nbsp; The aspen and birches of our forest slowly bow to climax species like white pine and red pine, the pines regaining their stature as kings and queens of the land.</p>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"Walking the Forested Trails\" src=\"{filedir_5}RTL 6.jpg\" style=\"width: 166px; height: 250px; float: right; \" />In the time Trish shared with us, I was reminded how wonderfully perseverant a forest is.&nbsp; In light of near constant disturbance, whether it comes from man&rsquo;s saw or heavens lightning our landscape is constantly reworking itself, to take in stride the obstacles that are thrown at it, and to forever strive for something greater.&nbsp; In times of our own distress we should find great encouragement in that.</p>\n	<p>\n		Join us this Thursday for a discussion on Sportsman and Conservation.&nbsp; This event is geared more towards adults, but is appropriate for anyone with a historical itch.&nbsp; 7pm in the Lodge. &nbsp;Cookies, coffee, and lemonade provided during the talk.</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		<em>Photo Credits: Collin Whitsett</em></p>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}RTL_1_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(254,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Butterfly-Day5k-2014.jpg','xhtml','/k12programs/events/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(553,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','<p>\n	Azusa Pacific University&rsquo;s (APU) is beginning a new Ecology emphasis within their Biology program, and Au Sable Institute courses are helping to make it both an enticing new program of study and a world class education.</p>\n<p>\n	Au Sable courses are considered part of the science curriculum at the sixty-four colleges that participate with the Institute each year. This seamless integration makes it possible for schools to build new majors, minors, and science tracks using Au Sable courses. Integrating Au Sable courses has allowed APU to strengthen its Ecology emphasis for Biology majors.</p>\n<p>\n	The opportunities that arise from the APU&rsquo;s connection with Au Sable has been good for Kelsey Rodin, one of the fifteen students who have enrolled in APU&#39;s Ecology emphasis in the one semester that it has been available.</p>\n<p>\n	Says Rodin, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m absolutely loving the [new ecology emphasis], and I can&#39;t wait for Au Sable. I hope to develop an even deeper understanding of what it means to be a servant leader over creation and how to live with it in a way that glorifies God. I&rsquo;m looking forward to being provided the tools to be more effective as a Christian in the field of ecology as well as more effective at protecting God&#39;s creation.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	Rodin will be taking the &lsquo;International Development and Environmental Sustainability&rsquo; and &lsquo;Environmental Health&rsquo; courses during Summer Session II this summer, two of the 24 Au Sable courses open to APU students, making it possible for them to tailor their studies in ecology to aquatics, wildlife, conservation, natural resource stewardship, and much more.</p>\n<p>\n	Adding Au Sable&rsquo;s courses to APU&rsquo;s current ecology curriculum gives students access to a course of study on par with major public research universities throughout the Los Angeles area (see course listing below), but with a critical difference. APU students learn through studies at their home college and at the Institute about who is behind the vast and wonderful natural world they have the good fortune of exploring and studying and about God&rsquo;s deep love for creation and our calling to care for it in ways that serve and protect it. The Christian faith informs illuminates our work as scientists and caretakers of creation.</p>\n<p>\n	Says Scott Kinnes, Professor of Biology and Au Sable faculty representative at APU, &ldquo;As with all our programs we want to produce students with solid scientific backgrounds who can compete at the highest academic and professional levels but who have a distinctly Christian worldview that includes training in integrating their discipline with their faith.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	APU Biology students in the Ecology emphasis requires students to take 11 credits of upper division Biology electives, including four from a field program.</p>\n<p>\n	Adds Kinnes, &ldquo;While we are open to other such programs, Au Sable is, of course, the one we direct them to, and [we have] a record 9 students [attending Au Sable] this summer.&rdquo;</p>\n<h2>\n	APU-Au Sable Course Connection</h2>\n<p>\n	Azusa Pacific University &ndash; Ecology Emphasis course options in partnership with Au Sable (Au Sable courses in <strong>bold</strong>):</p>\n<p>\n	BIOL 320: Ecology<br />\n	BIOL 336: Vertebrate Biology<br />\n	BIOL 340: Invertebrate Biology<br />\n	BIOL 350: Mammalian Physiology<br />\n	BIOL 365: Plant Biology<br />\n	BIOL 435: Stewardship Ecology<br />\n	BIOL 495: Advanced Topics in Biology</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>BIOL/GEOL/GEOG 301: Land Resources</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 302: Limnology (Water Resources)</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL/AGRIC/GEOG 303: Ecological Agriculture</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL/GEOG 304: International Development and Environmental Stewardship</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 305: Field Ecology of Birds</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 311: Field Botany</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 318: Marine Biology</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 321: Animal Ecology</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 322: Aquatic Biology</strong><br />\n	<strong>CHEM 332: Environmental Chemistry</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL/AGRIC/GEOG 343: Tropical Agriculture and Missions</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 345: Wildlife Ecology</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL/GEOG 355: Watershed Stewardship</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 359: Marine Mammals</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 360: Molecular Tools for the Field Biologist</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 361: Field Biology in Spring</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 427: Ecology of the Indian Tropics</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 452: Environmental Health</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL/GEOG 471: Conservation Biology</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 478: Alpine Ecology</strong><br />\n	<strong>BIOL 482: Restoration Ecology</strong></p>\n','none','{filedir_1}IMGP6508_thumb.JPG','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(255,1,1,'<h1>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;\">Environmental Education Fund</span></h1>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Trish-red-outfit.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 200px; float: right;\" />In 2011, on the occasion of Trish Fagg&#39;s retirement, Au Sable had the opportunity to celebrate her vision, passion, teaching acumen, mentorship, and example. Trish Fagg created and led the program for over 34 years, making it one of the premier environmental education programs throughout the Grand Traverse Bay Region. In Trish&rsquo;s role as coordinator, she provided environmental education for over 120,000 K-12 students and trained 230 interns. These programs offer students a unique and important opportunity in their learning life, giving them the eyes to see, ears to hear, courage to explore, wonder to behold, and sensibilities to steward the natural world both now and for the rest of their lives.</p>\n<p>\n	To continue critical environmental education for our children, Au Sable established an Environmental Education Fund to ensure that this important work endures. This fund will:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		Provide scholarships for local school children</li>\n	<li>\n		Train future environmental education leaders</li>\n	<li>\n		Expand short-term residential programs</li>\n	<li>\n		Ensure creation of new curriculum</li>\n	<li>\n		Supply scientific and educational materials.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	The Environmental Education Fund will continue Au Sable&rsquo;s goal to protect our shared future by teaching students to love and care for the natural world around them. With your help, we can make this possible.</p>\n<p>\n	See that this vital program continues today.<strong>&nbsp;Make a donation to our new Environmental Education Fund online (<a href=\"/donate/\">www.ausable.org/donate</a>) </strong>or mail us a check: Au Sable Institute, 7526 Sunset Trail NE, Mancelona, MI 49659.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"/news_and_resources/news/trish_fagg_motivation_and_legacy\">Read more</a> about Trish&#39;s life and legacy.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(360,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Morphological_Masterpieces1.jpg','xhtml','/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/#Insect%20Biology','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(256,1,1,'<h1>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}EEIP Webpage Header(1).png\" style=\"width: 600px; height: 189px;\" /></h1>\n<p>\n	<strong>Environmental education</strong>&nbsp;or &quot;EE&quot; is a process that allows individuals to explore&nbsp;<strong>environmental issues</strong>, engage in <strong>problem solving</strong>, and <strong>take action</strong> to<strong> improve the&nbsp;environment</strong>. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of&nbsp;environmental&nbsp;issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions (EPA). &nbsp;Done well, EE is place-based, hands on, and experiential by nature. &nbsp;Au Sable&#39;s environmental education programs work with local student and teachers in an outdoor setting to help participants gain a better understanding of the natural world and how to care for it. &nbsp;Environmental education interns lead programs with the public that work towards this end. &nbsp;The personal and professional benefits of the program are diverse. &nbsp;If you are wondering how a internship experience in environmental education can help develop you as a professional in the science field, click on the presentation below. &nbsp;Page down to learn how to <strong><a href=\"#Application Process\">apply to be an Environmental Education Intern</a></strong>. We look forward to working with you!</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n	<a href=\"https://prezi.com/view/A2JLgZFb956cFUJWvO14\" target=\"_blank\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Screen Shot 2017-12-05 at 8_59_58 AM.png\" style=\"width: 500px; height: 366px;\" /></a></p>\n<h3>\n	<a name=\"Application Process\"></a>Application Process and Description</h3>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}environmental-ed.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 204px; float: right; \" />Au Sable is a Christian, environmental non-profit dedicated to educating people about the natural world. Our environmental education program has been in operation for over 35 years and&nbsp;works to educate local school children through hands-on, experiential lessons that range from one&nbsp;to several days in length. Interns are trained in the basics of natural history, teaching&nbsp;methodology, group leadership, program development, and risk management. Our campus is located&nbsp;35 miles east of Traverse City in Mancelona, MI and is situated on 120 acres of mixed-coniferous forest, pond, bog,&nbsp;meadow, and kettle lake ecosystems.</p>\n<h3>\n	Duties</h3>\n<p>\n	Lead and teach natural history lessons for K-12 students in groups of 8-12, assist with cleaning&nbsp;and preparation of campus facilities, maintain some educational equipment; occasionally lead&nbsp;night programs or canoe trips; winter internship involves daily snowshoeing and some cross-country skiing. Photos of interns at work with students can be viewed in the Environmental Education Internship&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_11}gallery_detail/environmental_education_internship_program/2\">photo gallery</a>.</p>\n<h3>\n	Dates</h3>\n<p>\n	Fall 2017: September 11 - October 20</p>\n<p>\n	Winter 2018: January 22 - February 16</p>\n<p>\n	Spring 2018: Apri 23 - June 1</p>\n<h3>\n	Benefits</h3>\n<p>\n	Stipend pay of $200/week paid on bi-weekly basis; free housing with private room, communal&nbsp;kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Additionally the Internship:</p>\n<p>\n	&bull; Partially fulfills requirements for a Naturalist Certification from the Institute.</p>\n<p>\n	&bull; Provides experience in environmental education and natural and cultural interpretation.</p>\n<p>\n	&bull; Is a wonderful opportunity to explore career options, discover your gifts, and grow&nbsp;spiritually in a small Christian community in a rural setting.</p>\n<h3>\n	Requirements</h3>\n<p>\n	B.S. or B.A. preferred in biology, environmental studies, education, or related field.&nbsp;Preference is given to students of at least junior status and recent graduates from Au Sable&rsquo;s&nbsp;participating colleges. Must be enthusiastic, conscientious, and able to build rapport with children.</p>\n<h3>\n	To apply</h3>\n<p>\n	Submit a cover letter explaining why you would like to do the internship, a resume, and three letters of reference (one from a pastor or mentor describing your Christian commitment and maturity) to Paul Wiemerslage (paul.w@ausable.org), Environmental Education Coordinator. For more information about Au Sable visit our website at www.ausable.org.</p>\n<h3>\n	Contact</h3>\n<p>\n	Paul Wiemerslage, Environmental Education Coordinator<br />\n	Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies<br />\n	7526 Sunset Trail, NE, Mancelona, Michigan 49659<br />\n	Phone: (231) 587-8686 &ndash; Email: paul.w@ausable.org</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(257,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Cornerstone University','none','rob.keys@cornerstone.edu','none','','none','(616) 949-5300 ext. 1306','none','<p>\n	Dr. Rob Keys coordinates our research program and teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/\">Research Methods II</a> course during Summer Session II.&nbsp; He is currently the Associate Professor of Science at Cornerstone University. He received his BA in field biology from Cornerstone, M.Ed in Environmental Education from Gannon University and his PhD in Science Education with an Ecology emphasis from Western Michigan University.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}Rob_ZntelopeCanyon_2011-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0022','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	His research interests involve the movements and interactions of wildlife across landscape matrices with emphasis on the impact of white-tailed deer on other animal movements. He also works on developing ecological models for teaching ecology concepts to students and helping undergraduate students with their research.</p>\n<p>\n	Rob says, &quot;My love for Au Sable goes back to 1982 when I was a student&nbsp; here. The relationships that I developed and the things that I learned were a great part of who I became and what I am currently doing. The opportunity to now share that with this generation of Au Sable students is a true joy for me.&quot;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(259,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	We had beautiful weather last saturday as our summer community events culminated with Butterfly Day!</p>\n','none','<div id=\"cke_pastebin\">\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}BD5.jpg\" style=\"height: 200px; width: 600px;\" /></p>\n	<p>\n		The idea behind our community events is simple: to directly engage those closest to us in our mission of promoting environmental stewardship.&nbsp; We ran four events this summer with that goal in mind and we are happy to announce that we plan on doing more community events in the future.&nbsp; Over the course of the last month we have learned a lot about the types of programs that people like best and events that people would like to see more of (if you have some suggestions for program topics and we are all ears!&nbsp; Please shoot me an email <a href=\"mailto:paul.w@ausable.org\">paul.w@ausable.org</a> or leave a comment).&nbsp;&nbsp; We have even had calls for programming during the school year, which is promising.&nbsp; This is all great news and gives us something to think about.</p>\n	<p>\n		You would think that having lived and worked as an environmental educator for the past 5 years I would be a very capable gardener.&nbsp; I spend my days, weeks, months, and years teaching individuals about nature, and yet somehow in the garden I feel as out of place as a nun at a NASCAR race.&nbsp; Which explains but does not excuse my complete oversight of one key detail in taking proper care of our garden; deer.</p>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}BD4.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 190px; \" />Native plants are important for many reasons.&nbsp; They are adapted for the climate and soil, which makes them resistant to regional climatic stresses and disturbance.&nbsp; They attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies and bees.&nbsp; They provide habitat for all sorts of critters, and they are every bit as beautiful as exotic flowers.&nbsp; This far from exhaustive list covers the typical supporting arguments for using native plants in landscaping.&nbsp; What they don&rsquo;t include on the list, and in hindsight maybe they shouldn&rsquo;t have to, is that in bringing in native flora, the native fauna follow close behind, mainly deer and rabbits.&nbsp; In my naivety, I did not pay enough attention to the importance of protecting the garden from hungry animals who when stumbling upon this 400 sq ft. piece of real-estate must have likened the experience to heaven.&nbsp; At any rate all of the deer and their grandparents must have had a ball chewing our garden to scat.&nbsp; With butterfly day looming, we had a serious problem on our hands.</p>\n	<p>\n		Luckily, with the help of several organizations and a couple dedicated folks our garden, which at the time more closely resembled a green palate used by Bob Ross to make &ldquo;happy trees&rdquo;, was transformed into a beautiful mosaic of color.&nbsp; Pine Hill Nursery came up huge for us with a donation of nectar plants that in addition to adding much needed color to the garden also gave our butterflies something sweet to nibble on.&nbsp; Thanks also to Master Gardener Mary Walker and her wonderful husband Dick for tending the flowers, watering them everyday, whispering words of encouragement to them each evening, and standing guard to keep the deer off of them morning and night. Their work, along with several fresh loads of wood-chips delivered by Great Lakes Energy breathed spanking new life into our Butterfly Garden.</p>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}BD1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; \" />And with that we were ready for the big day.&nbsp; A smattering of new and familiar faces graced our butterfly house this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;Attendees received information on native plant gardening, toured the butterfly house, and were able to take a look at butterflies up close through a microscope.&nbsp; A super addition to the day was the help from Tim Burkholder&rsquo;s insect ecology class who enthusiastically guided participants on butterfly hunts around Au Sable&rsquo;s campus.&nbsp; Not only was their presence a big help in facilitating activities but also was a terrific opportunity for community members to be introduced to Au Sable&rsquo;s college program directly.</p>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}BD2.jpg\" style=\"width: 350px; height: 156px; \" />In closing I would like to add that over the past month Trish and I have been delighted by the turnout our programs have received. While it is great to see so many new faces, it is also a humbling experience in the realization that we can have so many neighbors that we do not know.&nbsp; In that realization I have come to understand how necessary continuing these events is; if not for helping inspire stewardship, then simply for helping us as neighbors act more neighborly.&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		And finally, each program owes a great deal of its success to the work of many people behind the scenes; from maintenance and cook staff all the way up to our executive director who personally volunteered to hand-deliver event flyers around Big Twin Lake.&nbsp; Of course we also could not have done any of this with out the many wonderful folks who attended our events.&nbsp; Thank you all!&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		Until next time,</p>\n	<p>\n		Paul</p>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}BD11_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(260,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Trish Fagg created and led one of the premier environmental education programs in the Grand Traverse Bay Region for 34 years. &nbsp;This August, she will retire from Au Sable. &nbsp;Read about Trish&#39;s life and legacy.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Patricia-Fagg-small.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 292px; float: right; \" />This Summer, Au Sable&rsquo;s founding Environmental Education Coordinator Trish Fagg received a surprise package in the mail. &nbsp;Students from her first job as a high school biology teacher in New York compiled a scrapbook of pictures from their class and accompanied it with notes. &nbsp;The pictures were fun, bringing back memories about old times, old jokes, and old projects. &nbsp;But there was note in particular that stood out. &nbsp;A former student wrote, &ldquo;Ms. Fagg, you taught me how to love the Earth. &nbsp;You made me realize it&rsquo;s worth my time to preserve it.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Like any good program, the Au Sable Environmental Education Program has five goals and prioritizes 12 major environmental concepts for its students. &nbsp;But if you asked Trish what she would count as success, it would be that each of the 120,000 K-12th grade students she&rsquo;s encountered over the years would have those words on their lips. &nbsp;Love the Earth. &nbsp;Preserve it.</p>\n<h2>\n	The &ldquo;Heart Connection&rdquo;</h2>\n<p>\n	There&rsquo;s a term Trish uses to describe the attachment the environmental education program strives to achieve between student and natural world: a &ldquo;heart connection.&rdquo; It starts with what she describes as the most gratifying part of her job (besides serving as Rocky the Raccoon during the puppet show), &ldquo;I love seeing when the little light bulb goes on, when there&rsquo;s that &lsquo;oh wow&rsquo; moment that leads to a sense of wonder.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}kid-microscope.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 299px; float: left; \" />Encounter... leads to wonder... leads to love. &nbsp;Dipping a net into the pond to pull out tadpoles, staring intensely through a microscope at a butterfly&rsquo;s wings, seeing grouse snuggle down into the snow for insulation, these experiences at Au Sable are about forging that connection. &nbsp;Trish created the program to do that.</p>\n<p>\n	Trish&rsquo;s own &ldquo;heart connection&rdquo; developed during her family&rsquo;s weekend ritual of traveling from her city home to her grandparents&rsquo; farms in rural Ohio.</p>\n<p>\n	Trish says, &ldquo;My grandparents conveyed a love for the land and a stewardship ethic that was profound and left a lasting impression. &nbsp;They gave me the opportunity to see how life advances through the seasons.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	In many ways, under Trish, student field trips to Au Sable became weekend trips to the farm. &nbsp;Much like her experience at Au Sable, it was the physical place suffused with community that led Trish towards a deep love for the outdoors and the means to care for it.</p>\n<p>\n	Trish explains, &ldquo;At Au Sable, I wanted to give children both the opportunity to experience what I had when I was their age [on the farm] as well as what I wish I had when I was their age.&rdquo;</p>\n<h2>\n	&ldquo;Protecting Northern Michigan&rdquo;</h2>\n<p>\n	But while Trish made her &ldquo;heart connection&rdquo; with her grandparents&rsquo; farms, she also felt the cruel sting that this land she loved could be taken away. &nbsp;When she was still young, a coal company stripped her paternal grandparents&rsquo; farm for coal. &nbsp;Her grandparents owned all of their land except for the mineral rights. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Trish says, &ldquo;This experience had a profound impact on my life and what I chose to do with it.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	The tragic loss of this place she loved and the place where she learned to love guided her life course. &nbsp;It also deepened the connection she wanted her students at Au Sable to make with the natural world: protect it because you love it.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}kids-water.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 206px; float: left; \" />This opportunity came to bear in a very tangible way in the early 1990s. &nbsp;Au Sable received a Kellogg Foundation Grant to teach groundwater education. &nbsp;With the oil and gas industry playing a growing role in Northern Michigan, it provided the opportunity to teach children about ground water and how it can become contaminated.</p>\n<p>\n	Trish says, &quot;I was most proud of this program. &nbsp;The Kellogg Foundation told us that of the money they distributed for ground water education, this program got the most out of the money they gave. &nbsp;And in addition, the program didn&rsquo;t just educate the children, it educated our teachers and chaperones as well. &nbsp;They would keep coming to me and saying, &#39;We never knew this!&#39;&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	Once Trish was meeting with a board member who asked, &quot;What do you see as the overarching goal of your program?&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	She answered, &quot;To protect the environment of Northern Michigan.&quot;</p>\n<h2>\n	Food Webs, Knowledge Webs</h2>\n<p>\n	When Trish started out, she found that forging these connections for child can be immensely difficult and deeply troubling. &nbsp;A story she often tells is about going to a 3rd grade class one day to prep them for their visit to Au Sable. &nbsp;The Au Sable lesson was on food webs, and seeing as she had just come from the grocery store, she decided to bring her groceries to class to use as a demonstration. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	She started by holding up a loaf of bread, asking, &quot;Can you tell me where this bread came from?&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	Hands shot up in the air, and a child responded, &quot;From the grocery store.&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	Trish said, &quot;That&rsquo;s right. &nbsp;But how about before the grocery store. &nbsp;Where did this bread come from?&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	There was a long pause, students&rsquo; wheels turning, until one boy raised his hand and said, &quot;Well I went to the store once with my mom and saw a truck, and in the back, it had loaves of bread. &nbsp;So it must have come on the bread truck.&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	Trish responded, &ldquo;Well, how about before it came on the bread truck? &nbsp;Where did it come from?&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Michigan-history.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 213px; float: right; \" />The class went silent for a long time, so Trish used a different tact, saying, &ldquo;Bread is made up of flour. &nbsp;What makes up the flour we use in our bread?&rdquo;</p>\n<div>\n	<div>\n		<p>\n			After a long silence, one child responded, &ldquo;Is it ground up rocks?&rdquo;</p>\n		<p>\n			Astonished, Trish changed course again. &nbsp;She asked, &ldquo;Where does the water in our houses come from?&rdquo;</p>\n		<p>\n			No one knew.</p>\n		<p>\n			On the ride home, the image of her grandparent&rsquo;s farm was vivid in her mind. &nbsp;She knew where bread and water came from when she was their age because she saw it. &nbsp;It was plain before her eyes each weekend. &nbsp;Flour ground from wheat, water from the well. &nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			When she returned to Au Sable, she formulated a program to take students back to the early 1900s when it was impossible to be ignorant of the sources of human subsistence. &nbsp;It was called Michigan History, and quickly became one of the most popular programs at Au Sable. &nbsp;Students interacted with historical characters from the 1900s. &nbsp;With no light bulbs, automobiles, or grocery stores to keep students comfortable, the dependence on the natural world to meet these needs became strikingly obvious. &nbsp;It produced &ldquo;oh wow&rdquo; moments. &nbsp;They stepped onto the family farm.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Serve the School</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Trish-teaching-small.jpg\" style=\"width: 239px; height: 166px; float: left; \" />While teaching children is the goal of education, new administrative policies and guidelines created an ever-changing education environment during Trish&rsquo;s 34 years. &nbsp;But it also gave rise to the environmental education program in the first place. &nbsp;In March of 1977, Trish ran the first environmental education program at Au Sable with the Mancelona school system. &nbsp;The program was a success, and she loved the work, but questions remained about future support for the program. &nbsp;Two events in particular led the program to swell and become the environmental education program it is today. &nbsp;First, she received strong administrative support. &nbsp;Both Kalkaska and Mancelona principals felt that environmental education should be a part of each child&rsquo;s learning experience. &nbsp;Second, in 1976-1977, the Michigan Department of Education felt the same way and required that every school needed to teach environmental concepts by the 1978 school year. &nbsp;Trish was ready to meet the challenge. &nbsp;Seizing on this opportunity, she invited schools to participate in Au Sable&rsquo;s programs to fulfill their requirements. &nbsp;By 1978, the curriculum at Au Sable expanded to fill their environmental concepts requirement, and Au Sable&rsquo;s environmental education program became a fixture in the school system.&nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			Over the next thirty years, these requirements changed repeatedly. &nbsp;With each progression, Trish folded the environmental ed program into the new Michigan standardized test (MEAPs) and grade level content expectations (GLCEs). &nbsp;The bottom line was making sure that she did everything possible to support teachers in helping them do what they were tasked to do.</p>\n		<p>\n			She also went above and beyond to make sure that the program not only met science requirements but also connected with the other subjects students were learning: math, language arts, social studies. &nbsp;Trish also convened roundtable meetings with teachers to discuss how the program could best meet their needs. &nbsp;It kept the program relevant and cutting edge. &nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			It was this level of commitment to high quality standards and content that built the program from a single school, Mancelona Public, to 36 school districts and 11 counties throughout the Grand Traverse Bay area.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Future Leaders</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Trish-Interns.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 214px; \" />The opportunity to spread the program&#39;s influence beyond the Grand Traverse Bay area arose in 1982 when the environmental education program&#39;s growth coincided with the birth of the college program. &nbsp;Au Sable became classified as a &quot;vocational institution&quot; when the college program began, and in 1982, Trish taught her first college course on &#39;The Foundations of Environmental Education.&#39; &nbsp;The course taught hands-on, applied, skill-based lessons and assignments for her students in environmental education. &nbsp;This course soon morphed into the internship program. &nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			Trish never strayed from teaching vocationally over the next 30 years, saying, &quot;With the internship, one of the things I stressed is looking at each one&#39;s giftedness and seeing that they use that giftedness in service, to children, teachers, chaperones. &nbsp;The internship moved interns out of their comfort zone, and seeing them gain confidence and shine was a blessing. &nbsp;We&#39;d think through career goals, and later I would hear about how students had found their dream job because of the internship, or received a teaching assistantship in graduate school, or be better prepared for their first year of teaching because they knew how to make lesson plans. &nbsp;The internship program was an eye opener.&quot;</p>\n		<p>\n			An eye-opener for 230 interns over 30 years.</p>\n		<p>\n			As a former intern put it,&nbsp;&quot;It was the seasons spent as an environmental education intern...that had the greatest impact on my life. &nbsp;It was through these internships that I gained a greater knowledge and passion for the creation and the means to more effectively convey the message of stewardship with those of the next generation.&quot;</p>\n		<p>\n			The internship had a profound impact on one of Trish&#39;s former interns in particular, Paul Wiemerslage, Trish&#39;s successor. &nbsp;The internship led Paul into a Master&#39;s program in Environmental Education at Western Washington University and ultimately back to Au Sable.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Generations to Come</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Paul-Harold-Trish.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 265px; float: right; \" />Starting in the fall, Paul will inherit the environmental education program, and Trish couldn&rsquo;t be more thrilled.</p>\n		<p>\n			&ldquo;We just started our 3rd generation of students coming to Au Sable. &nbsp;I think that signals a time to step down!&rdquo; she laughs. &nbsp;&ldquo;I see grandmothers in the grocery store who came to Au Sable. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s exciting to think about how teaching generation after generation can make an impact. &nbsp;I&rsquo;m so happy Paul is picking up the torch, finishing the third generation, then the fourth.... &nbsp;That&rsquo;s how we make change.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			As for Trish, during the environmental internship, she challenges students to step outside of their comfort zone, to identify their giftedness, and to be persistent.</p>\n		<p>\n			When asked about thinking to the future, she sounds a lot like many of the interns, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure where my path will take me.&rdquo; &nbsp;And then, &ldquo;It seems like wherever I go, my giftedness is in environmental education.&rdquo;</p>\n		<p>\n			(As if we didn&rsquo;t know.)</p>\n		<hr />\n		<p>\n			To honor Trish and to continue critical environmental education for our children, Au Sable established an Environmental Education Fund to ensure that this important work, and Trish&rsquo;s legacy, endures. Make a donation in Trish&rsquo;s honor to the Environmental Education Fund online (<a href=\"http://www.ausable.org/donate\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 204); \" target=\"_blank\">www.ausable.org/donate</a>) or send a check to &lsquo;Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies,&rsquo; 7526 Sunset Trail NE, Mancelona, MI 49659.&nbsp;</p>\n	</div>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_2}patricia-fagg.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(261,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Environmental Education Program Coordinator','none','paul.w@ausable.org','none','Mancelona, MI','none','','none','<p>\n	As Environmental Education Program Coordinator, Paul works with local schools to deliver hands-on, field-based K-12th grade environmental education experiences through our <a href=\"/k12programs/\">Environmental Education Program</a>.&nbsp; In addition, Paul leads the Environmental Education Internship Program (EEIP), which works to equip college graduates with the skills necessary to be effective environmental educators.</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}Paul-Wiemersalge-HeadShot-100pxl1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0020','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Paul took classes at Au Sable while working towards his Biology degree at Bethel University in St. Paul.&nbsp; Upon graduating, Paul participated in Au Sable&#39;s Environmental Education Internship Program (EEIP) and later took on the position of the Institute&#39;s Program Assistant.&nbsp; In 2009, Paul left Au Sable to pursue a Master&rsquo;s degree in Environmental Education from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.&nbsp; While completing his degree Paul worked as an instructor for the North Cascades Institute in North Cascades National Park.&nbsp; Additionally, he volunteered with the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, leading lessons designed to raise awareness and appreciation for salmon and salmon habitat.</p>\n<p>\n	Paul says, &quot;I am grateful for the transforming role Au Sable plays in so many people&rsquo;s lives. &nbsp;I witnessed it as a college student years ago, and I continue to witness it today in the lives of our students.&nbsp; It is a testament to the importance of place, and the power of community.&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	An avid outdoor enthusiast, Paul loves fly-fishing, mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and photography. Slightly spontaneous and leaning towards the impulsive, he enjoys slowly working his way through no less than four books at a time.&nbsp; He has never learned to sleep comfortably in a hammock, is naively optimistic about his cribbage play, and instinctively trusts anyone with dog hair on them.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(266,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Alex de Sosa&#39;s wetlands research this summer led to some exciting discoveries -- everything from bald eagles to the nature of God.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<em>Alex de Sosa is a senior at aWheaton&nbsp;College in Wheaton, IL. &nbsp;This summer, she&#39;s studying wetland plants of Grand Traverse Bay shoreline. She is assessing wetland plants to get a handle of what a &#39;representative&#39; community should look like as a reference for homeowners dealing with Phragmites (an invasive reed).</em></p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Alex-de-Sosa.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />I was just about ready to leave the park. It had been a long weekend, and I was too tired to finish the rest of the wetland inventory I had set out to do that Tuesday morning. I packed up the measuring tapes, the GPS, the quadrat, notebook and pencil, a 45-minute drive the only thing between me and a nap. As I slung my pack onto my shoulders, I looked up. Directly in front of me, a massive bird--brown, with a big white tail--swung low to say, &quot;Hello.&quot; A bald eagle. I had never seen one so close and I think I yelled, &quot;Shut up!&quot; (my common expression of disbelief). Instead of leaving, I decided to stay. Who knows what wonders I would have missed if I retreated to my comfy bed?</p>\n<p>\n	And that&#39;s exactly what this summer doing research at Au Sable has been like. I came in nervous about doing research, scared that I am not &quot;scientific&quot; enough to examine God&#39;s creation. Despite the fact that I am the only research student not currently considering grad <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Alex-de-Sosa-plant.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 270px; \" />school (I want to be an innkeeper, a farmer, and maybe even a pilot -- the jury&#39;s still out!), I have seen so clearly this summer that God has not called scientists alone to wonder at the things he has made. He calls everyone, potential innkeepers included. Every long drive out to&nbsp;Traverse City was filled with anticipation of the different plant species I would find in the wetland. From Loesel&#39;s Twayblade to the Common Arrowhead, each trip was an exercise in discovery. Every time I recorded a species I had never seen before, I felt as though I had discovered it for the first time. I might not have known it was there, but God knew. And, to think, I would have missed it all if my nerves would have kept me away from Au Sable!</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Alex-de-Sosa-snake.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 166px; \" />Research was not just course work for credit, it&nbsp;has left me with a deeper appreciation of the mysteries that lie inside every forest, wetland, or lake, a deep reminder that God is full of mysteries. My project allowed me to take my time in each wetland. I didn&#39;t have to rush through to collect data, I could pause and look out on Lake Michigan, play with frogs, or examine plants I had never seen. I want my life to be like that, a slow and memorable discovery of all the Lord is.</p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/collin_whitsett_pitchers_thistle_research_part_1\">Read about Collin Whitsett&#39;s research</a> on the Pitcher&#39;s Thistle and how his work can help to conserve this threatened species.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Alex-de-Sosa-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(267,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Exciting developments are taking place at Geneva College, where the board of trustees just approved a new Environmental Science and Technology Program.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	For the past few years, my colleagues and I at Geneva College have been shaping curriculum for a new Environmental Science and Technology Program. &nbsp;With the approval of an Environmental Science major by the board of trustees this past May, we look forward to beginning the fall semester with the new major as part of the curriculum.</p>\n<div style=\"font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); \">\n	<p>\n		The environmental science major is an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to equip our students with knowledge and skills needed to understand and address current environmental issues from a Christian perspective. &nbsp;The curriculum consists of courses in biology, environmental science, environmental ethics, chemistry, statistics, public policy, and land resources (at Au Sable) and 3 additional Au Sable courses. Geneva&rsquo;s partnership with Au Sable is a key strength of the new major, providing students with a selection of field-based courses that greatly enhance Geneva&rsquo;s curriculum. &nbsp;In addition to completing required coursework, students will be encouraged to participate in an internship or summer research experience. &nbsp;It is our hope that some will take advantage of research and internship opportunities offered at Au Sable.<br />\n		<br />\n		Students have the option of completing 16 credits of Au Sable courses in a single summer, applying some of their regular financial aid package to this summer semester, and graduating a semester early. &nbsp;This option enables students to benefit from Au Sable&rsquo;s program without the added expense that summer courses typically require.<br />\n		<br />\n		Also new to the Geneva curriculum this fall is an environmental engineering concentration within the engineering major. These additions to the curriculum are just one piece of a broader vision for environmental stewardship at Geneva College. &nbsp;In the future, we hope to develop a &ldquo;green campus&rdquo; on property near the college. &nbsp;We envision this site as a living laboratory, a model for sustainability on campus, and a means of serving the community. &nbsp;We hope to eventually build a LEED certified building that can serve as an environmental laboratory and retreat center. &nbsp;At such a site, students could be involved in studying local ecosystems, designing solar and wind power systems and environmentally-friendly water and wastewater systems, and teaching others to value and care for creation.<br />\n		<br />\n		We pray that God will provide us with guidance and resources as we strive to teach our students to faithfully serve God and his creation.</p>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_8}Geneva_College_logo.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(264,1,6,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_4}Env-Ed-Fund-sidebar-ad1.jpg','xhtml','/donate/environmental_education_fund/','none','','none','[193] Donate\r[194] Environmental Education Program\r[195] News\r[196] News and Resources','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(265,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Grad-Fellows1.jpg','xhtml','/alumni_and_grad_fellows/#GradFellows','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(268,1,1,'<h1>\n	Sadie Wunder (SSI 2008, SSI/SSII 2010)</h1>\n<h1>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Sadie-w-fish.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 140px; height: 161px; \" /></span></h1>\n<p>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; \">Recent Au Sable alum and Messiah College graduate Sadie Wunder (SSI08,&nbsp;SSI/SSII10) has one of those jobs everyone talks about post-college, but one very few people actually have the courage to pursue. &nbsp;Her life after college resembles a reality TV show, though not the kind you expect.&nbsp; Waves heave ship vessels skyward, coarse nets bulge and spill fish, ocean wildlife surprise during moments of boredom: Sadie&rsquo;s life is a living episode of the Discovery Channel&rsquo;s show &ldquo;Deadliest Catch.&rdquo;</span></p>\n<p>\n	Sadie is a fisheries observer, trolling the Alaskan seas with fishing boats venturing out from Dutch Harbor and Kodiak Alaska.&nbsp; The job varies from flurrying activity and intense concentration to lazy afternoons shooting the breeze and playing cards.&nbsp; Sadie&rsquo;s role on the <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Sadie-ballyhoo.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 173px; \" />ship is unique.&nbsp; She collects critical data on all the fish caught on her ship.&nbsp; She also records threatened and other species accidentally caught (called &ldquo;bycatch&rdquo;), marine mammals and birds observed, and any fishing regulations broken.&nbsp; If it doesn&rsquo;t sound glamorous, that&rsquo;s because it isn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; But the hint of adventure and the knowledge her careful calculations make a difference keeps her going.&nbsp; Sadie&rsquo;s data gets compiled with all of the other data collected on fishing boats throughout Alaska and used to manage the whole Alaskan fishery.&nbsp; Policymakers use this data to determine &ldquo;total allowable catch,&rdquo; the amount of fish a boat can catch of a particular species in a given year.&nbsp; With fisheries collapsing and many more threatened around the globe, Sadie is one small, but vital piece, in working towards a sustainable planet.</p>\n<p>\n	This realization that as individuals we have personal, as well as collective, responsibility for caring for God&rsquo;s world is a&nbsp;spiritual lesson she learned at Au Sable.&nbsp; Reflecting on her time at Au Sable, Sadie says, &ldquo;The best part about Au <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Sadie-Au Sable at the Canoe Marathon(2).jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 152px; \" />Sable is the overall attitude of the institution.&nbsp; The level of spiritual growth through Christian environmental stewardship creates a burden that the students and professors alike can carry together. Knowing that together we are working to be better stewards of creation by finding our own niche in the world and making differences there is a realization I had while at the Michigan campus in 2010. It was this notion that has stuck with me into my career choices and the steps I have taken after graduating. I know that I have done a majority of growth as a person thus far, during my summers in both Washington and Michigan.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	The Au Sable community helped to shape and form Sadie&rsquo;s thinking, passions, and loves.&nbsp; It helped to shape her calling.</p>\n<p>\n	But Au Sable also went beyond motivating and guiding.&nbsp; It gave her the skills and tools to make a difference.&nbsp; Early in her college career, Au Sable provided an avenue for Sadie to&nbsp;pursue her specific interest in biology, Marine Biology.&nbsp; <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Sadie-Restoration-class.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 300px; height: 283px; \" />&ldquo;I initially went to Au Sable to take Marine Biology because I have always had a passion for Marine systems but Messiah did not have any options for me on campus. There was great opportunity to experience marine life at Pacific Rim on Whidbey Island. I fell in love with Puget Sound&#39;s beauty as well as the creatures that live beneath its waters.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	Sadie came back in 2010, this time to the Great Lakes Campus to take &lsquo;Environmental Chemistry,&rsquo; &lsquo;Animal Ecology,&rsquo; and &#39;Restoration Ecology&#39; to reinforce what she&rsquo;d learned about marine ecosystems and to complete her degree requirements and course electives.&nbsp; She found her experience to be the same: &ldquo;The professors are always at your disposal and have high expectations for the class. The field components made the theory behind the class come to life.&nbsp; And the community of science nerds is absolutely refreshing.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	Sadie is one of 101 students in 2010 who ventured out from Au Sable to make their impact for God&rsquo;s world, to find their place in the story of redeeming creation.&nbsp; She found hers in the heart of the sea.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(269,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Paul Wiemerslage is Au Sable&#39;s incoming Environmental Education Coordinator. &nbsp;He also has &quot;never learned to sleep comfortably in a hammock, is naively optimistic about his cribbage play, and instinctively trusts anyone with dog hair on them.&quot;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Paul-Wiemerslage-Head-Shot.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 200px; \" />Paul Wiemerslage is Au Sable&#39;s incoming Environmental Education Coordinator. &nbsp;In many way, he found himself at Au Sable, through the Environmental Education Internship and while serving as a Program Assistant for Trish. &nbsp;His experiences in the program led him to pursue a Master&#39;s in Environmental Education at Western Washington University. &nbsp;While completing his degree Paul worked as an instructor for the North Cascades Institute in North Cascades National Park.&nbsp; Additionally, he volunteered with the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, leading lessons designed to raise awareness and appreciation for salmon and salmon habitat.&nbsp;</p>\n<div style=\"font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); \">\n	<p>\n		Other than his environmental pursuits, Paul has &quot;never learned to sleep comfortably in a hammock, is naively optimistic about his cribbage play, and instinctively trusts anyone with dog hair on them.&quot;</p>\n	<p>\n		We asked Paul some questions about his environmental education influences growing up, his Au Sable experience, and his vision for the Environmenal Ed program:</p>\n	<p>\n		<em>Where did you grow up?</em></p>\n</div>\n<p>\n	I never did.&nbsp; Actually, I grew up in an almost suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota called Hudson, Wisconsin.&nbsp; There is a five or six mile buffer of cornfield and forest that separates the true suburbs of the Twin Cities from my hometown.&nbsp; It is a pretty amazing place actually.&nbsp; My home was located a stones throw from Willow River State Park.&nbsp; During the summer, the band of neighborhood kids and myself would voyage with peanut butter sandwiches in hand and Swiss army knife in pocket through the park to swim and fish, and then sneak back to our homes before our parents would call us in for supper.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What were your majors in college?&nbsp; What Colleges did you go to?</em></p>\n<p>\n	I recently graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA with a Master&rsquo;s in Environmental Education.&nbsp; Prior to that I attended Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and graduated with a degree in Biology and a minor in Philosophy.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What courses did you take at Au Sable?&nbsp; Any favorites?&nbsp; </em></p>\n<p>\n	I took a number of courses at Au Sable: Plant Ecology and Biosphere Science at Pacific Rim and Limnology, Insect Biology and Ecology, and Winter Stream Ecology at the Great Lakes Campus.&nbsp; I don&rsquo;t think I could pick a favorite.&nbsp; Every class had something memorable and meaningful.&nbsp; In Plant Ecology, we hiked to the base of a glacier and <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Paul-Hydrology Lesson.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 232px; \" />crossed several torrential streams in blanket fog to study life zones.&nbsp; Emerging from the confusion of the fog at the base of a glacier is a dream-like memory.&nbsp; In Biosphere Science we explored the marine environment of Puget Sound by snorkel!&nbsp; Here at the Great Lakes campus, Limnology met everyday on a different aqua colored lake to take samples from aboard a pontoon boat.&nbsp; Insect Ecology revealed to me the fascinating world of insects.&nbsp; I am a grown man, and I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoy chasing butterflies with a net.&nbsp; And how could I forget Winter Stream Ecology.&nbsp; Below zero temperatures; gobs of snow everywhere, yet we found an abundance of life thriving in the streams.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>How has your Au Sable experience influenced you?</em></p>\n<p>\n	I think it made me aware of the greater world of science beyond the university.&nbsp; For whatever reason I bought into the idea that school was enough to prepare me for the outside world, and it wasn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; Au Sable&rsquo;s classes, professors, and staff opened doors that I never knew existed. The world opened up for me here, and I have seen this same thing happen for so many other students as well.&nbsp; There is something special and deeply engrained in the heart of this place.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s difficult to explain, but I continue to see its result.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What role did environmental education play in your early years?</em></p>\n<p>\n	I grew up among a cadre of informal educators comprised of parents and friends who shared their joy of nature with me.&nbsp; Aside from my father and mother taking me camping and fishing from a very early age; Mrs. Miller, the mother of a childhood friend also heavily influenced me.&nbsp; During the summer we would pick berries and peas from her garden, hunt gophers with bow and arrow, search for agates and salamanders in the gully, and sell gourds, pumpkins and corn in the fall.&nbsp; One time we dug a hole twelve feet deep in the middle of the front lawn just to see if we could find the water table.&nbsp; She encouraged us to explore.&nbsp; In talking with Trish [Fagg, our former Environmental Education Coordinator] recently, she told me that the first step in being a naturalist is to simply ask questions, and I think she is right.&nbsp; In that sense, Mrs. Miller taught us to be naturalists by encouraging us ask questions like, &ldquo;At what color is a raspberry perfectly ripe?&rdquo; or &ldquo;What kind of food do salamanders like best?&rdquo; or even, &ldquo;Is it possible to dig a hole to China?&rdquo; and then allowed us the freedom to discover the answers ourselves.&nbsp; Sometimes we found the answers, sometimes we didn&rsquo;t, but we were always learning.&nbsp; I am still not convinced that with the right tools, we can&rsquo;t make it to China&hellip;</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What made you realize that Environmental Education was the right vocation for you?</em></p>\n<p>\n	When I was in high school I actually wanted to work in construction.&nbsp; It took sports and my parents&rsquo; relentless insistence to get me to attend college.&nbsp; When I graduated with my biology degree I was still thinking that construction might be the path for me.&nbsp; Almost by accident (or divine plan&hellip;) I ended up working as an intern for Au Sable&rsquo;s <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Paul-Winter-Interns-07.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 236px; \" />environmental education program.&nbsp; The internship only operates for part of the year, so I ended up working construction with my brother in-law during the off-season. &nbsp;It was while working with him that I realized I would never be satisfied doing something that didn&rsquo;t directly impact others.&nbsp; While construction is a great trade, I felt restless and was constantly thinking about purpose in life.&nbsp; &nbsp;I was being called to put my education and my passion for God and the environment to use.&nbsp; Environmental education emerged from that moment as a real possibility for me, not just a one-time experience but as a potential career.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>What is your hope and vision for the Environmental Education program in the future?</em></p>\n<p>\n	Trish founded this program 34 years ago.&nbsp; In that time over 120,000 students have participated in our program.&nbsp; It has trained 230 interns and our reach beyond that is perhaps incalculable.&nbsp; In the past ten years or so we have seen our numbers slowly decline each year.&nbsp; There are a lot of reasons for this; chiefly the economic hardships that we and everyone else have had to endure.&nbsp; That being said, teachers are hard pressed to justify and fund field trips.&nbsp; In light of the situation I will be working closely with teachers to assure them that Au Sable&rsquo;s programming is worth the cost and will exceed their expectations.&nbsp; Where our programming doesn&rsquo;t meet their needs, we will create programs that do.&nbsp; Where costs are an issue, we will work to find funding or create programs that work within their constraints.&nbsp; All options are on the table. Creating a demand and increasing participation will allow us to increase the extent of the internship and the vitality of the organization.&nbsp; There is no reason we can&rsquo;t have year round educational programming and outreach for the communities of northern Michigan.</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Any last thoughts?</em></p>\n<p>\n	I&rsquo;m happy to be here.</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}Paul-Wiemersalge-HeadShot-100pxl1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(270,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Professor Dave Unander provides a report on his first time teaching &#39;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&#39; course in Costa Rica.</p>\n','none','<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}sugar-cane.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 300px; height: 155px; \" />&lsquo;Tropical Agriculture &amp; Missions&rsquo; (TAM), offered since 2003, was taught in Costa Rica&nbsp;for the first time. Eight American students from five schools were enrolled, and a Costa Rican student sat in as well. Typical of the TAM course, they were a fantastic class to teach, most already seriously considering service as Christians in poorer regions of the world. They were hard-working, but also a fun group, too, very adventurous, quickly bonding, and patient with delays in the schedule.</p>\n<p>\n	About two of the three weeks were based in a town called Vara Blanca. At&nbsp; 6,000 ft, temperatures were in the 50s-70s, and it rained heavily, often daily. Our collaborator, Eastern Univ. alum Tom&aacute;s Dozier, grew up in Vara Blanca, returning with his family after an earthquake in Jan. 2009 killed dozens and left many homeless. After the initial relief work, a community survey revealed that a high school was a high priority. Tom&aacute;s and Chelsea Dozier formed ADE (Association for Development through Education), and began a high school. They and a small staff, mostly alumni of Eastern University&rsquo;s graduate program in Intl. Development, are also involved in the one evangelical church in the area, and sharing their faith in the community. ADE has long-term access to a cabin in a primary rainforest that is ideal for an Au Sable class, and they facilitated visits with farmers, research centers, national parks, etc.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Besides units on the scientific foundations of sustainable agriculture, basic tropical ecology, and some missiology, we visited farmers, and observed the upland rainforest and regional geology of Vara Blanca. That includes the effects from the very live Poas Volcano, 10,000 ft high, and close enough to us that we could drive to visit the billowing crater in an hour.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Cassava orientation EARTH mature roots.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />The first week, groups of the HS students gave presentations to our class about the types of agriculture in the valley (strawberries, dairy cattle, some dairy goats, trout, and ornamentals, especially potted ferns, for export to the US).</p>\n<p>\n	The third week, groups of Au Sable students gave seminars to the HS students, each covering a plant family &ndash; its basic botany and agricultural &amp; nutritional value. Two Spanish-speaking students within the TAM class got to try their translation skills, too!</p>\n<p>\n	Our wonderful cook, Rosa Elena, was mom of Fabian, one of the HS students. Vara Blanca is little homes spread out over hills &amp; hollows much like Appalachia. It&rsquo;s a mile or so walk uphill from the rainforest to a paved road. Living there, we interacted with HS students and their families daily: some were neighbors. Kids often dropped by to hang out and try English, while the TAM students tried Spanish. Locating TAM in a small, rural and poor community changed the dynamic from academic abstractions about missions and development toward names and faces of people we knew.</p>\n<p>\n	Although this was the trial run of TAM in Costa Rica, response of the students was positive. Besides class units and visits with farmers in greater Vara Blanca, Costa Rica offers world class research and teaching institutions. &nbsp;Ones we visited for orientations included CATIE (Centro Agron&oacute;mico Tropical de Investigaci&oacute;n y Ense&ntilde;anza), an international research center established in 1940, governed by a board from 14 Latin American countries; EARTH University, an international university founded in 1990 to train students in environmentally sustainable tropical agriculture, with an emphasis on hands-on practice and business training, and a student body of 400 drawn from across the global Tropics; OTS La Selva Station (Organization for Tropical Studies, founded in 1968 by a biology research consortium, located in a lowland rainforest that receives 4 m of rain a year, and abuts one of the largest national parks in Costa Rica, that ascends to peaks ca. 10,000 ft high); national park visits that included Poas Volcano (looming over Vara Blanca), the Arenal Volcano area, Cahuita, a Caribbean tropical maritime forest near the Panama border; and CoopeSarapiqui, a fair-trade coffee-growers cooperative that exports to North America and the European Union.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Poas Volcano extinct crater ca 8K ft w acidic water but 2ndary forest.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />Educationally, doing the class in Costa Rica seemed successful. It was harder to cover certain science units, but other topics were facilitated by living in a rainforest, in walking distance to small farms owned by hardworking, poor families. Spiritually, I was blessed how the students quickly made friends in the community and volunteered to clean and cook, and, in some cases got in significant discussions with neighbors about life in Vara Blanca. Like all small towns, there are many dynamics going on in Vara Blanca. Attending a tiny church with limited resources was also a good education about Christian ministry: I trust many will remember to pray for that little church. They invited me to preach one Sunday, and I did, in Spanish and English! &nbsp;And then there are those unplanned conversations and prayer times that God seems to arrange when we&rsquo;re not looking.</p>\n<p>\n	Thank you also to those who prayed for this course. All went so well, and we pray that God will use this course in the lives of the students who took it, too. It will be exciting to learn where they end up in years to come! God willing, I am hopeful Costa Rica may be a good long-term home for the TAM course.</p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<a href=\"http://ausable.org/news_and_resources/photo_gallery/\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 204); \" target=\"_blank\">View more photos</a>&nbsp;from the &#39;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&#39; course in our photo gallery.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}Costa-Rica-group-100pxls.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(271,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Watershed Stewardship professor Bill Deutsch wins the Alabama Water Conservationist of the Year Award.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Bill-Deutsch.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 300px; height: 279px; \" />Professor Bill Deutsch, who teaches Au Sable&#39;s <a href=\"/courses/course_information/watershed_stewardship/\">Watershed Stewardship</a> course, recently won the Alabama Water Conservationist of the Year Award from the Alabama Wildlife Federation&nbsp;for his work with Alabama Water Watch. &nbsp;He was honored on August 5th at the Governor&#39;s Conservation Achievement Award ceremony.</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"http://www.alabamawaterwatch.org/\">Alabama Water Watch</a>&nbsp;(AWW) uses community-based methods for monitoring watershed health, teaching citizen groups scientific testing methods for monitoring water quality and overall watershed health that can be used for local and State-level decision-making to improve water quality, local ecosystems, and public health.</p>\n<p>\n	In addition to establishing Alabama Water Watch through Auburn University in 1992, Dr. Deutsch also leads a world-wide network of citizen watershed groups through <a href=\"http://www.globalwaterwatch.org/\">Global Water Watch</a> (GWW), traveling to GWW&#39;s in-country offices in the Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, Brazil, and Ecuador to conduct trainings.</p>\n<p>\n	Congratulations Bill!</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Bill-Deutsch.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(272,1,1,'<h1>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Education Philosophy Webpage Header.png\" /></h1>\n<p>\n	Au Sable Institute&rsquo;s Environmental Education Program provides extraordinary opportunities for school children throughout northwest Lower Michigan to study our environment first hand through direct experiences. &nbsp;The curriculum is sequential and is designed to mesh with the objectives of classroom disciplines and the science objectives for the state of Michigan. &nbsp; These steps fall in four categories: &nbsp;Environmental Awareness, Environmental Dependency, Beginning Ecology, and Environmental Studies.</p>\n<h3>\n	Environmental Awareness</h3>\n<p>\n	These studies engage the students in a sensory exploration of the natural world that enhances their ability to observe. &nbsp;These studies familiarize students with the common plants and animals of our Northwoods region and in so doing instill a &ldquo;sense of place.&rdquo; &nbsp;Each study provides direct experience with the natural world that fosters wonder, joy, and delight. &nbsp;In addition to laying the foundation for environmental concepts, these studies include beginning science, math, and language arts skills. &nbsp;Special attention is given to support each school&rsquo;s science curriculum and the states science learning objectives.</p>\n<h3>\n	Environmental Dependency</h3>\n<p>\n	Many students do not understand that the environment supplies all of our basic needs. &nbsp;The study at this step in environmental understanding acts as a bridge between the environmental awareness studies and the beginning ecology studies. &nbsp;Students must understand that they are inextricably linked to the environment before proceeding to the study of ecology.</p>\n<h3>\n	Beginning Ecology</h3>\n<p>\n	These studies provide students with a basic understanding of some of the important principles that govern the interaction among living things and their interaction with the non-living portion of the environment.</p>\n<h3>\n	Environmental Studies</h3>\n<p>\n	These studies use techniques to measure the health of our environment. &nbsp;Whether the study focuses on surface water, groundwater, or an entire watershed the inter-link between the biotic and abiotc elements of our environment are examined. &nbsp;Each study emphasizes how individuals affect environmental quality. &nbsp;Students are given the training necessary to make decisions and develop lifestyles that maintain a productive and healthy environment.</p>\n<p>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; \"><em>These steps are designed to train stewards who can take leadership in our communities to bring healing to the land and protect environmental quality.</em></span></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(273,1,1,'<h1>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Day%20Programs%20Webpage%20Header.png\" /></h1>\n<p>\n	Each of the following field studies offers students the opportunity to engage in a four-hour study under the guidance of a trained environmental educator:</p>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<h3>\n	Environmental Awareness (K-3rd Grade)</h3>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"#Emphasis on Senses\">An Emphasis on the Senses</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Mammals\">Mammals</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Birds\">Birds</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Insects\">Insects</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Plants\">Plants</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Wetland Study\">Wetland Study</a></p>\n<h3>\n	<br />\n	Environmental Dependency (3rd-4th Grade)</h3>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"#Michigan History\">Michigan History</a></p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h3>\n	Beginning Ecology&nbsp;(3rd-5th)</h3>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"#Pond Ecology\">P</a><a href=\"#Pond Ecology\">ond Ecology</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Wetland Study\" style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Wetland Study</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Wildlife Study\">Wildlife Study</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Outdoor Exploration\">Outdoor Exploration</a></p>\n<h3>\n	<br />\n	Environmental Studies (6th-8th)</h3>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"#Outdoor Exploration\" style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Outdoor Exploration</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Michigan Wetlands\" style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Michigan Wetlands</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Winter Water Quality\">Winter Water Quality</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Advanced Animal Tracking\">Advanced Animal Tracking by Ski</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Groundwater\">Groundwater</a><br />\n	<a href=\"#Stream Science\">Stream Science</a></p>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 14px; \">For more information about the environmental education program or to schedule a field trip, contact Environmental Education Coordinator Paul Wiemerslage at paul.w@ausable.org or (231) 587-8686.</span></p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h1>\n	All Programs</h1>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Emphasis on Senses\"></a><img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" />An Emphasis on the Senses (Kindergarten)</h2>\n<p>\n	Senses guide our exploration of the world. Join us for a day of activities that focus on utilizing nature to explore the five senses. Activities include a sensory hike that encourages students to explore, discover, and describe their natural world. Canada geese, tadpoles, worms, and wildflowers are waiting to be discovered!</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Spring</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: LS1-1, ESS3-3</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" /><a name=\"Mammals\"></a>Mammals (1st-2nd Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Mammals are a fun group of animals to study not only for their charismatic qualities but also because students learn that they belong to this unique group as well! Students spend the day investigating what makes a mammal a mammal and later hike Au Sable&rsquo;s trails in search of these furry critters and the clues they leave behind.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em style=\"text-align: left; \">Offered</em><span style=\"text-align: left; \">: Winter, Spring</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" /><a name=\"Birds\"></a>Birds (1st-2nd Grade)</h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Discover what makes birds one of the most fascinating creature groups on earth. Students learn the importance of special adaptations like beaks, feathers, and hollow bones and how to differentiate common birds by shape, color, and call. Games, puzzles, and hikes guide this exploration.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\"><em>Offered</em>: Spring</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd&nbsp; - LS2-2, LS4-1</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" /><a name=\"Insects\"></a>Insects (1st-2nd Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Students discover the world of insects by exploring the Au Sable pond, meadow, and forest to find insects and draw connections between each type of habitat and the unique community of insects found there. As the students examine insects, they will learn what unique characteristics make insects a special group in the animal world.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\"><em>Offered</em>: Fall</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" /><a name=\"Plants\"></a>Plants (2nd-3rd Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Discover the wonder found in the plant world. Students engage in activities such as role-playing games about photosynthesis, pollinating flowers, and creating leaf rubbings of northern Michigan&rsquo;s dominant tree species. This study offers plenty of opportunities to be amazed by the micro- and macroscopic workings of plants.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1; 3rd &ndash; LS1-1, LS3-2, LS4-2</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Michigan History\"></a><img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" />Michigan History (3rd-4th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	A favorite study of many teachers and students, Michigan History demonstrates our dependency on our environment by taking students back in time when it was easily understood where our food, water, clothing, and energy came from. Students experience life at an 1800&rsquo;s fur trading post as they interact with voyageurs and traders to learn candle making, trading signs, and how to create fire using primitive methods. Later in the day, students travel to a 1900&rsquo;s logging camp where they are introduced to the life of a camp cook, river hog, and foreman. During their stay, students will help bake cookies in a wood stove, use a crosscut saw, and test their burling skills on dry land. Costumed instructors guide this interactive study that brings the past to life.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall, Spring</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Social Studies Standards: 3rd - H3.0.1, H3.0.3, H3.0.4, H3.0.5, H3.0.6, H3.0.8, H3.0.10, G5.0.1, G5.0.2, E1.0.3; 4th &ndash; H3.0.1, H3.0.5, H3.0.7, G4.0.1, G4.0.3, G5.0.1</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Pond Ecology\"></a><img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" />Pond Ecology (3rd Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	This study introduces students to beginning ecology lessons by examining how energy flows through an ecosystem to create food chains, food webs, food pyramids, and carrying capacities.&nbsp; Students collect plants and animals from our near-by pond and later get a chance to examine their findings more closely using hand lenses and microscopes.&nbsp; Through observation, games, and simulations, students learn how pond ecosystems work, and why wetland and habitat preservation is critical.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: right;\">\n	<em style=\"text-align: right;\">Offered</em><span style=\"text-align: right;\">: Fall, Spring</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: LS1-1, LS3-1, LS4-3</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Wetland Study\"></a>Wetland Study (2nd &amp; 4th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Students undertake an exploration of the processes involved in the water cycle using games, songs, simulations, and models. Students will learn that we all live in a watershed and human actions can have wide-ranging positive and negative effects. During the afternoon, students collect organisms from Louie&#39;s pond to sample the diversity of life hidden within its waters.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\n	<em>Offered:</em> Fall, Spring</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 2nd-LS4-1, ESS2-1, ESS2-2, ESS2-3; 4th-ESS2-1, ESS3-2</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" /><a name=\"Wildlife Study\"></a>Wildlife Study (3rd-4th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Wildlife Study introduces students to beginning ecology lessons by leading them through a variety of habitats to conduct a wildlife census. The data the students gather are used to highlight how energy flows through an ecosystem and create food chains, food webs, food pyramids, and carrying capacities. Students learn through their census, games, and simulations that all wildlife need unpolluted food, clean water, clean air, shelter, and space.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 3rd &ndash; LS1-1, LS3-2, LS4-2; 4th &ndash; LS1-1, LS1-2</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Michigan Wetlands\"></a>Michigan Wetlands (5th-6th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Demonstrations, models, and games help students understand how watersheds function and how human actions can impact water quality. Later, students compare and contrast several wetland types on Au Sable&#39;s property using a simple habitat assessment that includes chemical testing, biotic sampling, and a look at vegetative communities. Through this comparative study, students will use evidence gathered to classify wetland types.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\n	<em>Offered:</em> Fall, Spring</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: 5th - ESS2-1M1, ESS2-2M1, ESS3-1; Middle School - LS4-4, ESS2-4</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Outdoor Exploration\"></a><img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" />Outdoor Exploration (5th-6th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Develop the skills necessary to safely explore our northern environment with this outdoor adventure that combines science and survival skills into one amazing program. Students learn the basics of orienteering and compass work, explore the science behind weather to make simple forecasts, and discover the physics behind good fire building as they work to create small survival fires. Try this unit during the winter months for added excitement with snowshoes and snow!</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered:</em>&nbsp;Fall, Winter, Spring</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: Middle School - ESS2-5MI</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Winter Water Quality\"></a><img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" />Winter Water Quality (6th-8th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Students learn about water quality by comparing local Big Twin Lake with Au Sable&rsquo;s Louie&rsquo;s Pond. Students take water samples and temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen readings from both water bodies. Using microscopes, we compare the organisms found in the lake and pond. Through these tests, students determine the trophic level of both bodies of water and learn about factors affecting water quality in northern Michigan.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: Middle School &ndash; ESS2-4</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Advanced Animal Tracking\"></a>Advanced Animal Tracking by Ski (5th-8th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Experience a northern Michigan tradition with your students as they traverse Au Sable&#39;s trails by ski in search of winter wildlife. Part recreation, part science, students will combine skills to conduct a wildlife census and determine animal abundance in various habitat types. Students will answer questions, which habitats have the greatest amount of activity, which the least, and why?</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\n	<em>Offered: </em>Winter</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: Middle School - LS4-4, LS4-6</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<img align=\"\" alt=\"Anchor\" src=\"{filedir_11}themes/third_party/wygwam/lib/ckeditor/images/spacer.gif?t=A8LE4JO\" /><a name=\"Groundwater\"></a>Groundwater (6th-8th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Students learn how groundwater - our invisible, subsurface resource - moves and behaves underground. Students measure the water table and its fluctuations through a series of unique test wells on the Au Sable campus. They also test water samples for pH, hardness, and chlorides. Groundwater models aid students in understanding how groundwater can become contaminated, how contamination moves, and how it can be cleaned up. An emphasis is placed on actions each of us can take to protect groundwater.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right; \">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall, Winter, Spring</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: Middle School -ESS2-4, ESS3-1</span></p>\n<h2>\n	<a name=\"Stream Science\"></a>Stream Science (6th-8th Grade)</h2>\n<p>\n	Students will depart from Au Sable in Institute vans with waders and sampling equipment and will spend the day studying the nearby Manistee River. The day will begin with a stop at the logging ghost town of Deward where we will discuss the impacts of logging on the watershed. Students will conduct a stream profile to determine flow and discharge at two different locations on the river. Similarities and differences between study sites will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on watershed scale and hydrology and natural and human-caused disturbances and their effects on stream health. (35 student limit)</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\n	<em>Offered:</em> Fall, Spring</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Michigan Science Standards: Middle School - MS-LS2-4, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS3-3</span></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(1016,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable&rsquo;s Graduate Fellows have been hard at work all year. Read on to learn about the field work, research, and various projects each of the Fellows were working on this summer.</p>\n<p>\n	Keep up the good work of advancing God&rsquo;s kingdom through creation care and higher education, Fellows!</p>\n','none','<p>\n	Au Sable&rsquo;s Graduate Fellows have been hard at work all year. Read on to learn about the field work, research, and various projects each of the Fellows were working on this summer.</p>\n<p>\n	Keep up the good work of advancing God&rsquo;s kingdom through creation care and higher education, Fellows!</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Carissa De Young</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;This summer I interned with Shared-X, a social impact startup in Peru to develop metrics and stories to track and communicate their social and environmental impact. The company grows specialty coffee, organic bananas, and aromatic cocoa while providing access to markets and best agricultural technology for smallholder farmers in surrounding communities.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Steve Roels</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;I went on my 7th (and possibly final) research trip to central Panama. I spent 8 weeks in the field in June and July. In August, I was in Washington D.C. for the North American Ornithological Conference.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Doug Sponsler</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;Barring any unexpected complications, this was the last summer of my Ph.D. program. Accordingly, my focus has been on writing and job-searching. My wife and I had our second child in September, which is a source of great joy along with a renewed sense of urgency regarding graduation and prospective employment. Dream job: teaching and research in a liberal arts environment where I would have the opportunity to take students to Au Sable.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Geneva Langeland</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;Now that I&#39;ve graduated with my master&#39;s degree, I&#39;m starting a full-time job at the Michigan Sea Grant office. I&#39;ll be working as a writer and editor, communicating on social media, and assembling the regular newsletter. While settling into my new position, I spend my weekends traveling to see family and exploring a new corner of Ann Arbor.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Remington Moll</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;This summer I conducted field research in Cleveland, Ohio focused on urban wildlife community ecology. As well, I participated in a mentorship program that introduced high school students from under-represented groups to applied ecological research, and 3) continued work on several ongoing research projects associated with large-mammal predator-prey interactions.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Rachel Lamb</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;I started off my summer teaching Environmental Law &amp; Policy at Au Sable during the May-term. After my course, I worked full-time as Y.E.C.A.&rsquo;s National Organizer and Spokesperson and attending the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering in Indonesia in early August. At the end of August, I started a Ph.D. program in Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Nick Turman-Bryant</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;This summer was pretty laid back for me. I studied for comprehensive exams for next fall, took the fundamentals of engineering exam, and worked on a manuscript from this past year&#39;s research.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Sam Smidt</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;My summer largely consisted of finishing up research and turning those results into manuscripts. Right now, I&#39;m working with agricultural and water use data to better improve agricultural water management strategies, and I&#39;m also looking at how urban development impacts water and agricultural resources in the state of Michigan. I also moved to Illinois, where I started as a faculty member at Wheaton College in the fall.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Dan Gibson</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;I will be working in Michigan for my second field season sampling insect communities on native perennial flowers.&nbsp; This second summer of data aims to strengthen observations from last year as I try to identify which plants are most useful to beneficial insects such as pest predators and pollinators.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Molly Van Appledorn</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;I am currently in a post-doc at the USGS in La Crosse WI. I&#39;m working on floodplain inundation modeling projects here which involves some fun field work, but mostly a lot of computer time running simulations. I might be biased, but I think it is cool stuff.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Brad Gordon</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;This summer I will be wrapping up my research on the effectiveness of a small, edge-of-field agricultural tile drainage treatment wetland. I&#39;ll also spend a large portion of my time in front of the computer writing my dissertation and updating the agricultural best management practices handbook for Minnesota. When I&#39;m not working, I hope to run as many new trails and camp in the wilderness of Minnesota as much as possible.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>Julie Laudick</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;This summer I will be working on my MS thesis on the efficacy of plant-beneficial bacteria under different soil conditions. In my free time I&rsquo;ll be enjoying life in Wooster: biking, gardening, reading, volunteering at the farmer&rsquo;s market. I will also be visiting Atlanta for a research conference, catching up with old friends, and thinking about things.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong>David Wituszynski</strong></p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;I spent the last two months finishing my internship with Engineering Ministries International (eMi) in Uganda, and then&nbsp;at home with my family in New Hampshire; from here on out&nbsp;I&#39;ll be working on my research project in green infrastructure for urban stormwater management. Part of this will involve learning how to identify birdcalls, as we&#39;re recording soundscapes&nbsp;for species counts - I&#39;m really looking forward to this. I&#39;m also going to have to learn my bugs, which makes me happy.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n','none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL),(320,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Encounter-Wildlife3.jpg','xhtml','/courses/course_information/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(274,1,1,'<h1>\n	Kindergarten</h1>\n<h2>\n	An Emphasis on the Senses</h2>\n<p>\n	Senses guide our exploration of the world. Join us for a day of activities that focus on utilizing nature to explore the five senses. Activities include a sensory hike that encourages students to explore, discover, and describe their natural world. Canada geese, tadpoles, worms, and wildflowers are waiting to be discovered!</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: LS1-1, ESS3-3</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Spring</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Mammals</h2>\n<p>\n	Mammals are a fun group of animals to study not only for their charismatic qualities but also because students learn that they belong to this unique group as well! Students spend the day investigating what makes a mammal a mammal and later hike Au Sable&rsquo;s trails in search of these furry critters and the clues they leave behind.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter, Spring&nbsp;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(275,1,1,'<h1>\n	First Grade</h1>\n<h2>\n	Birds</h2>\n<p>\n	Discover what makes birds one of the most fascinating creature groups on earth. Students learn the importance of special adaptations like beaks, feathers, and hollow bones and how to differentiate common birds by shape, color, and call. Games, puzzles, and hikes guide this exploration.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd&nbsp; - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Spring</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Insects</h2>\n<p>\n	Students discover the world of insects by exploring the Au Sable pond, meadow, and forest to find insects and draw connections between each type of habitat and the unique community of insects found there. As the students examine insects, they will learn what unique characteristics make insects a special group in the animal world.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Mammals</h2>\n<p>\n	Mammals are a fun group of animals to study not only for their charismatic qualities but also because students learn that they belong to this unique group as well! Students spend the day investigating what makes a mammal a mammal and later hike Au Sable&rsquo;s trails in search of these furry critters and the clues they leave behind.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter, Spring</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(276,1,1,'<h1>\n	Second Grade</h1>\n<h2>\n	Birds</h2>\n<p>\n	Discover what makes birds one of the most fascinating creature groups on earth. Students learn the importance of special adaptations like beaks, feathers, and hollow bones and how to differentiate common birds by shape, color, and call. Games, puzzles, and hikes guide this exploration.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd&nbsp; - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Spring</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Insects</h2>\n<p>\n	Students discover the world of insects by exploring the Au Sable pond, meadow, and forest to find insects and draw connections between each type of habitat and the unique community of insects found there. As the students examine insects, they will learn what unique characteristics make insects a special group in the animal world.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Plants</h2>\n<p>\n	Discover the wonder found in the plant world. Students engage in activities such as role-playing games about photosynthesis, pollinating flowers, and creating leaf rubbings of northern Michigan&rsquo;s dominant tree species. This study offers plenty of opportunities to be amazed by the micro- and macroscopic workings of plants.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1; 3rd &ndash; LS1-1, LS3-2, LS4-2</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; \">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Mammals</h2>\n<p>\n	Mammals are a fun group of animals to study not only for their charismatic qualities but also because students learn that they belong to this unique group as well! Students spend the day investigating what makes a mammal a mammal and later hike Au Sable&rsquo;s trails in search of these furry critters and the clues they leave behind.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 1ST - LS1-1, LS1-2, LS1-3; 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter, Spring</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(277,1,1,'<h1>\n	Third Grade</h1>\n<h2>\n	Plants</h2>\n<p>\n	Discover the wonder found in the plant world. Students engage in activities such as role-playing games about photosynthesis, pollinating flowers, and creating leaf rubbings of northern Michigan&rsquo;s dominant tree species. This study offers plenty of opportunities to be amazed by the micro- and macroscopic workings of plants.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 2nd - LS2-2, LS4-1; 3rd &ndash; LS1-1, LS3-2, LS4-2</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Michigan History</h2>\n<p>\n	A favorite study of many teachers and students, Michigan History demonstrates our dependency on our environment by taking students back in time when it was easily understood where our food, water, clothing, and energy came from. Students experience life at an 1800&rsquo;s fur trading post as they interact with voyageurs and traders to learn candle making, trading signs, and how to create fire using primitive methods. Later in the day, students travel to a 1900&rsquo;s logging camp where they are introduced to the life of a camp cook, river hog, and foreman. During their stay, students will help bake cookies in a wood stove, use a crosscut saw, and test their burling skills on dry land. Costumed instructors guide this interactive study that brings the past to life.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Social Studies Standards: 3rd - H3.0.1, H3.0.3, H3.0.4, H3.0.5, H3.0.6, H3.0.8, H3.0.10, G5.0.1, G5.0.2, E1.0.3; 4th &ndash; H3.0.1, H3.0.5, H3.0.7, G4.0.1, G4.0.3, G5.0.1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall, Spring</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Pond Ecology</h2>\n<p>\n	Pond study introduces students to beginning ecology lessons by examining how energy flows through an ecosystem to create food chains, food webs, food pyramids, and carrying capacities. Students collect plants and animals from our near-by pond and later get a chance to examine their findings more closely using hand lenses and microscopes. Through observation, games, and simulations, students learn how pond ecosystems work, and why wetland and habitat preservation is important.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: LS1-1, LS3-1, LS4-3</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall, Spring</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Wildlife Study</h2>\n<p>\n	Wildlife Study introduces students to beginning ecology lessons by leading them through a variety of habitats to conduct a wildlife census. The data the students gather are used to highlight how energy flows through an ecosystem and create food chains, food webs, food pyramids, and carrying capacities. Students learn through their census, games, and simulations that all wildlife need unpolluted food, clean water, clean air, shelter, and space.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 3rd &ndash; LS1-1, LS3-2, LS4-2; 4th &ndash; LS1-1, LS1-2</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(278,1,1,'<h1>\n	Fourth Grade</h1>\n<h2>\n	Wetland Study</h2>\n<p>\n	Students undertake an exploration of the processes involved in the water cycle using games, songs, simulations, and models. Students will learn that we all live in a watershed and human actions can have wide-ranging positive and negative effects. During the afternoon students collect organisms from Louie&#39;s pond to sample the diversity of life hidden within its waters.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 2nd - LS4-1, ESS2-1, ESS2-2, ESS2-3; 4th &ndash; ESS2-1, ESS3-2&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall, Spring</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Wildlife Study</h2>\n<p>\n	Wildlife Study introduces students to beginning ecology lessons by leading them through a variety of habitats to conduct a wildlife census. The data the students gather are used to highlight how energy flows through an ecosystem and create food chains, food webs, food pyramids, and carrying capacities. Students learn through their census, games, and simulations that all wildlife need unpolluted food, clean water, clean air, shelter, and space.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 3rd &ndash; LS1-1, LS3-2, LS4-2; 4th &ndash; LS1-1, LS1-2</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(279,1,1,'<h1>\n	Fifth Grade</h1>\n<h2>\n	Michigan Wetlands</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Demonstrations, models, and games help students understand how watersheds function and how human actions can impact water quality.&nbsp; Later, students compare and contrast several wetland types on Au Sable&rsquo;s property using a simple habitat assessment that includes chemical tests and biotic sampling.&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: 5th &ndash; ESS2 &ndash; 1MI, ESS2-2MI, ESS3-1; Middle School -&nbsp; LS4-4, ESS2-4,&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Outdoor Exploration</h2>\n<p>\n	Develop the skills necessary to safely explore our northern environment with this outdoor adventure that combines science and survival skills into one amazing program. Students learn the basics of orienteering and compass work, explore the science behind weather to make simple forecasts, and discover the physics behind good fire building as they work to create small survival fires. Try this unit during the winter months for added excitement with snowshoes and snow!</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: Middle School - ESS2-5MI</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(280,1,1,'<h1>\n	Sixth Grade</h1>\n<h2>\n	Outdoor Exploration</h2>\n<p>\n	Develop the skills necessary to safely explore our northern environment with this outdoor adventure that combines science and survival skills into one amazing program. Students learn the basics of orienteering and compass work, explore the science behind weather to make simple forecasts, and discover the physics behind good fire building as they work to create small survival fires. Try this unit during the winter months for added excitement with snowshoes and snow!&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Michigan Science Standards: Middle School - ESS2-5MI&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Winter Water Quality</h2>\n<p>\n	Students learn about water quality by comparing local Big Twin Lake with Au Sable&rsquo;s Louie&rsquo;s Pond. Students take water samples and temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen readings from both water bodies. Using microscopes, we compare the organisms found in the lake and pond. Through these tests, students determine the trophic level of both bodies of water and learn about factors affecting water quality in northern Michigan.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: Middle School &ndash; ESS2-4</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Winter</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>\n	Groundwater</h2>\n<p>\n	Students learn how groundwater - our invisible, subsurface resource - moves and behaves underground. Students measure the water table and its fluctuations through a series of unique test wells on the Au Sable campus. They also test water samples for pH, hardness, and chlorides. Groundwater models aid students in understanding how groundwater can become contaminated, how contamination moves, and how it can be cleaned up. An emphasis is placed on actions each of us can take to protect groundwater.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	Michigan Science Standards: Middle School -ESS2-4, ESS3-1</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n	<em>Offered</em>: Fall, Winter, Spring</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(282,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable welcomes its new Executive Director, Dr. Fred Van Dyke, to lead the Institute.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Fred-VanDyke-239pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 239px; \" />With thanksgiving to God, the Au Sable Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Fred G. Van Dyke as the Institute&#39;s new Executive Director, effective September 1, 2011. Van Dyke is currently Professor of Biology, Chair of the Department of Biology and Director of the Environmental Studies Program of Wheaton College (Illinois).</p>\n<p>\n	The appointment is the culmination of an intensive search effort over the past year as the Institute&#39;s Search Committee, chaired by Dr. Orin Gelderloos, solicited and received numerous recommendations and nominations from a roster of qualified individuals. After a process of thorough review and evaluation, the Committee made its recommendation to the full Board of Trustees at its August 2011 meeting in Mancelona, Michigan. Van Dyke&#39;s appointment was unanimously approved.</p>\n<p>\n	With the naming of a new Executive Director, the Institute also acknowledged the leadership of Dr. Martin Price, former CEO of Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) in Fort Myers, Florida, who served during the past 12 months as the interim Executive Director of ASI.</p>\n<p>\n	In commenting about Van Dyke&#39;s new role, Price said, &quot;I was&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;</span>honored to be called upon to serve for one year to give Au Sable time to make a careful national search and elect a long-term Executive Director. I leave feeling very good about the progress Au Sable has made in recent years and share everyone&#39;s excitement with Dr. Van Dyke&#39;s appointment.&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	Van Dyke has had a long association with Au Sable, dating back to 1984 when he taught the Natural Resources Practicum in each of the two summer sessions. He also taught the May Term Natural History course from 1986 to 1999, and has served since 1992 as a Faculty Representative to Au Sable, from both Northwestern College (1992 - 2001) and Wheaton College (2001-2011); in addition, he has been a contributor at past Au Sable forums and conferences. Van Dyke also developed a special Au Sable internship in wildlife ecology in Montana, which he taught from 1988-1991 with the cooperation and support of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the US Forest Service.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;</span>As a member of the Au Sable Board of Trustees since 2009, he has served as its Faculty Representative, Treasurer (2009-2010), and, most recently, as Chair since November 2010.</p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Fred brings unique gifts to Au Sable: strong academic training and performance, success at initiating a college environmental science major, an impressive record of scholarly publications, and finally, a long-term personal commitment to Au Sable&#39;s mission of training leaders in the area of Christian environmental stewardship,&quot;<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>said Dr. David Mahan, associate director of Au Sable.</p>\n<p>\n	<span><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Fred-van-dyke-moose.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 250px; height: 179px; \" />A graduate in wildlife management with a B.S. degree from the University of Idaho, Van Dyke earned an M.S. in wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and a Ph.D. in environmental and forest biology from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York-Syracuse. His career has included work in academia, government conservation agencies, and private environmental consulting. He served as a wildlife biologist for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, a scientific and management consultant to the National Park Service, an ex officio member of numerous interdisciplinary management teams of the U. S. Forest Service, and a consultant to private industry in studies of the responses of wildlife to energy development.</span></p>\n<p>\n	While serving on the faculty of Northwestern College (Iowa) and later at Wheaton College (Illinois), Van Dyke established programs in Environmental Studies that have trained hundreds of students now serving in environmental agencies or organizations or pursuing advanced degrees in environmental conservation. His former students have found work in agencies and organizations such as the EPA, the National Park Service, US Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and The Nature Conservancy among many others.</p>\n<p>\n	&quot;There are few people from whom I have learned as much and have as much confidence in as Dr. Fred Van Dyke,&quot; said Board member and former Wheaton student Ben Lowe.&nbsp;&quot;As a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ in all areas of life, Fred brings a grounded vision and strong leadership to bear on Au Sable&#39;s mission, along with the wisdom, integrity, and skills to continue implementing it.&nbsp;Fred is the right person to lead the Institute forward, and I am greatly encouraged by his appointment as our Executive Director.&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	As a scientist, Van Dyke has specialized in investigations of wildlife ecology that address animal home range and habitat requirements, characteristics of community biodiversity, and the response of plant and animal communities to disturbance, especially fire and energy development. His studies have been published in numerous scientific journals and his textbook, Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications has been and continues to be used worldwide in college and university courses.</p>\n<p>\n	&quot;Dr. Fred Van Dyke is a multi-talented professional educator.&nbsp;His expertise in environmental science together with his vibrant Christian faith and his passion for excellence make him a superb choice for this important leadership position.&nbsp;I am confident that his appointment will be both strategic and positively transformational for the future of the Au Sable Institute,&quot; said Dr. James E. Bultman, President of Hope College in Holland, Michigan and former President of Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.</p>\n<p>\n	<span><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}fredbookcover.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 224px; \" />Long known for his contributions toward a Christian ethical and theological understanding of the purposes and applications of environmental conservation, his work in this field has been published in such journals and magazines as Conservation Biology, Science and Engineering Ethics, Christianity Today, The Evangelical Review of Theology, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, Trinity Journal, and Crossroads Monograph Series on Faith and Public Policy. Van Dyke is the senior author of the book Redeeming Creation: The Biblical Basis for Environmental Stewardship (InterVarsity Press 1996), as well as the author of Between Heaven and Earth: The History and Practice of Environmental Stewardship in the Judeo-Christian Tradition (Praeger Publishers 2010).</span></p>\n<p>\n	<span>Van Dyke</span><span>&nbsp;is a past recipient of The Henry Luce Scholarship Award from Evangelicals for Social Action in recognition of his contributions toward extending applications of Christian environmental stewardship to public environmental policy and Christian higher education, and has served as a consultant to the Global Stewardship Initiative program of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Center for Christian Studies, assisting in the development of curricula in environmental stewardship at private colleges and universities.</span></p>\n<p>\n	<span>Regarding the opportunity to relocate to the Mancelona area, Van Dyke says,&nbsp;</span>&quot;The Great Lakes campus of Au Sable is my favorite place in all the world, and the one where I always feel very much at home. Something happens to you when you learn the whole story of a place in understanding its physical landscape, its ecology, and its human cultural history. I&#39;m forever grateful that Au Sable taught me how to know and love these things.&quot; Van Dyke and his wife, Linda, look forward to making the move to northern Michigan and finding a home near the Institute.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Fred-VanDyke-239pxl_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(283,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Courses-Open3.jpg','xhtml','/courses/course_information/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(284,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Courses-Open-1.jpg','xhtml','/courses/course_information/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(288,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Catch up with the Environmental Education Internship as Paul introduces our Fall teaching staff.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Interns.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; \" />Wow, where does the time go?&nbsp; The internship has started, training week has flown by, and we are now at the end of our first week of teaching.&nbsp; So far, so good!&nbsp; But let me back up a bit. &nbsp;I feel a little guilty at this point referring to our interns as simply &lsquo;interns&rsquo;. Having worked with them for nearly two weeks now, I have gotten to know them much too well to introduce them under such a generic term. We&rsquo;ve gone over the curriculum, canoed the Manistee River, and laid down a decent coat of elbow grease getting this place ready for students.&nbsp; So without further ado, here they are, our Fall teaching staff:</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Jessica environmental education intern\" src=\"{filedir_5}Jessica(2).jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 254px; \" />Typically the majority of interns teaching with us are past students of Au Sable&rsquo;s college program.&nbsp; This year two of our three instructors are completely new to the Au Sable experience.&nbsp; Jessica Eggemeyer studied biology at Oral Roberts University and while she is not new to the Northwoods (her parents have a cabin in northern Minnesota), she is new to Michigan and Au Sable.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t need to hang around Jessica very long to tell that she is great working with children.&nbsp; In fact, in just this first week of teaching she has managed to receive enough hugs from the children to give a Macy&rsquo;s Santa Claus a run for his money.&nbsp; In the past, Jessica has worked as a counselor at summer camps and taught gymnastics classes.&nbsp; This is her first time teaching environmental education, and it seems as natural to her as breathing.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Dan environmental education intern\" src=\"{filedir_5}Dan.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; \" />Dan Brouwer is also new to Au Sable and joins us from a part of the world that is very close to my heart, the Pacific Northwest.&nbsp; Prior to the internship Dan was living and working in Surrey, BC.&nbsp; A truly eclectic individual, in addition to his studies in Biology at King&rsquo;s College, Dan&rsquo;s resume includes work as a carpenter, substitute teacher, and coffee barista.&nbsp; Dan&rsquo;s broad experience makes him very relatable with the students, and his passion for people, outdoor adventure, and nature further enhances his abilities as an educator.&nbsp; Of course he is 100% Canadian and is unable to hide this accent.&nbsp; So far every group we have had has picked up on the &ldquo;ehs&rdquo; and &ldquo;heys&rdquo;.&nbsp; While on the surface he seems to take minor offense to the fact that it is more noticeable than he assumes, secretly I think he likes it.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"Travis environmental education intern\" src=\"{filedir_5}Travis.jpg\" style=\"height: 250px; \" />Travis Silveus is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and is a past student of Au Sable&rsquo;s college program.&nbsp; Talking with Travis over the phone prior to the internship it became immediately apparent to me that Travis had a heart of gold.&nbsp; His work mentoring youth with the Boys and Girls Club during college has prepared him well for working with students, as evidenced by remarks I hear from children on their way to the bus that Travis&rsquo;s station was often their favorite part of the day.&nbsp; Travis has been super helpful during these first two weeks, even to the point that he would risk his own well being to help out the team.&nbsp; One day I asked the interns to start chopping wood in preparation for our first day of Michigan History (a living history unit that brings students back to a logging camp and a fur trading post).&nbsp; Without hesitation, Travis grabbed an axe and went to work.&nbsp; Moments later his finger was bandaged, and we were covering axe safety. It was later that night while burning and whittling spoons (another activity involving sharp tools and fire) that Travis informed me he was accident-prone.&nbsp; Noted:</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Travis Cut.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 113px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	So there you have it, a little background on our very excellent fall interns. Over the next month or so we will be updating the blog with stories from the EEIP.&nbsp; Check back to hear directly from our interns how they are doing and what we are up to!</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Interns2_thumb.JPG','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(289,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-StudentLife1.jpg','xhtml','/courses/student_life/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(290,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Endagered Species Act in the Southeast, Wildfire Management,&nbsp;Frog genetics,&nbsp;Fisheries Collapse, and Other News.</p>\n','none','<h2>\n	Endagered Species Act in the Southeast, Wildfire Management,&nbsp;Frog genetics,&nbsp;Fisheries Collapse, and Other News</h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; \">\n	<img alt=\"frog and forest wildfires \" src=\"{filedir_5}Page-cover.png\" style=\"width: 570px; height: 320px; \" /></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; \">\n	Photo credit: <a href=\"http://www.bbc.com/\">www.</a><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/\">b</a><a href=\"http://www.bbc.com\">bc.com</a>&nbsp;(left); <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com\">www.npr.</a><a href=\"http://www.npr.org\">org</a>&nbsp;(right)</p>\n<ul>\n	<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n		The US Fish and Wildlife Service made headlines this week by announcing it would begin a <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 115, 174); \"><strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/09/26/26greenwire-interior-to-consider-endangered-species-listin-98428.html\">review process of</a></strong></span><strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/09/26/26greenwire-interior-to-consider-endangered-species-listin-98428.html\">&nbsp;374 water-dependent species</a></strong> for inclusion under the Endangered Species Act. &nbsp;The species announced include&nbsp;13 amphibians, six amphipods, 17 beetles, three birds, four butterflies, six caddisflies, 81 crayfish, 14 dragonflies, 43 fish, one springfly, two isopods, four mammals, one moth, 35 mussels, six non-vascular plants, 12 reptiles, 43 snails, eight stoneflies and 75 vascular plants.</li>\n	<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n		In his <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 115, 174); \"><strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencefriday.com/\">Science Friday show</a></strong></span>, Ira Flatow interviews leading researchers in the southwest on &quot;<strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201109231\">Managing Forests to Manage Wildfires</a>,</strong>&quot; discussing fire ecology and new management techniques for controlling wildfires.</li>\n	<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n		Dwindling frog numbers have been a large concern throughout the conservation community for a number of years. &nbsp;Now, researchers believe they&#39;ve <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 115, 174); \"><strong><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15060980\">discovered genes that protect certain frog species</a>&nbsp;</strong></span>from deadly fungal diseases, paving the way for large strides in frog conservation efforts.</li>\n	<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n		&nbsp;The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) began a <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 115, 174); \"><strong><a href=\"http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/09/28/140805298/water-water-everywhere-but-not-enough-to-waste\">new campaign for protecting fresh water resources</a></strong></span> around the world this week, citing the immense importance of fresh water to global agriculture production.</li>\n	<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n		Researchers at Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego published an article on the <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110926173139.htm\">disparity between fish populations in two Southern California fisheries and catch rate</a></strong>, leading to fisheries collapse.&nbsp;</li>\n</ul>\n','none','{filedir_1}_55585740_frogcicjuvenilelaya.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(291,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Vincent Morris&nbsp;graduated from Gordon College in Massachusetts with a dual major in Youth Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies. After a decade as a youth minister in the western suburbs of Chicago, he embarked in a new direction, becoming Director of Risk Management at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. There Vince was responsible for a wide range of duties encompassing the health and welfare of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the College. In 2012, he began his current work at Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services as Executive Director of the Higher Education Practice.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Vincent-Morris._thumbjpeg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0021','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	He has been a member of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) since 1998, where he has served as past president and past member of its board of directors as well as chair and participant on many of its task forces and committees. Vince also served as URMIA&rsquo;s publications editor, and is widely published in his field. Beyond his professional activities, Vince, with his talented artist wife, Ellen, continues to interact with, mentor, and develop the faith of students by hosting student groups in their home. Through his Christian faith, which was nurtured by his parents, Vince has discovered his gifts for leading others to a mature faith in Christ and to confidence in God that propels them into a meaningful life of service. Among his academic and professional credentials, Vince earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Theology from Wheaton College, where he wrote his master&rsquo;s thesis entitled, &ldquo;Eighth-day creators: A Christian environmental stewardship ethic based on the &lsquo;image of God&rsquo; in the doctrine of creation.&rdquo; He is an Illinois-certified CPA and a lifetime learner: in August 2012 he completed a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Wheaton College, and he is now learning to weld. Vince is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Warrenville, Illinois, the same church where he worked as a youth minister, and continues to serve in this community, where he also keeps several hives of bees.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(306,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable has added three new board members that bring professional expertise and vibrancy to the Institute.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	Au Sable is pleased to announce the addition of three new board members who have graciously given of themselves to serve the Institute over the coming years:</p>\n<h3>\n	<strong>Mr. Ryan O&#39;Connor</strong></h3>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Ryan-OConnor.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 83px; height: 101px; \" />Ryan O&rsquo;Connor serves as the Alumni Representative on the Board and has been involved with Au Sable for nearly 15 years, attending Au Sable as a student in 1998, serving as an Environmental Education Intern in 1999, and engaging with the Graduate Fellows Program on several college campuses, including starting a precursor to the Graduate Fellows Program at the University of Michigan. &nbsp;Ryan works as the Acting Lead Botanist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Endangered Resources, the natural heritage program for the state, which is responsible for collecting, synthesizing, and communicating information on endangered species and high-quality ecosystems in Wisconsin. &nbsp;Ryan&rsquo;s passion and expertise are in identifying, protecting, and restoring rare and declining species and ecosystems in the Great Lakes region. &nbsp;He also loves to share information with others, and has taught a course on forest ecosystems at the University of Michigan Biological Station. &nbsp;He previously worked as a Conservation Scientist for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) and the Michigan natural heritage program, where he co-authored the book <u>Prairies and Savannas of Michigan: Rediscovering our Natural Heritage</u>, published by Michigan State University Press. &nbsp;The goal of the book and his life are to help others see and appreciate the beauty of the local environment, make scientific information accessible to those who need it, and encourage good stewardship. &nbsp;He holds master and bachelor of science degrees from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Ryan grew up with a close relationship with Christ. &nbsp;He enjoys pursuing knowledge of God&rsquo;s word as it relates to creation care and daily life through personal study, courses offered by his church, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. &nbsp;In addition to attendance at his church, he is involved in an intentional Christian community that meets weekly for spirit-filled prayer, praise, and fellowship. He grew up in the Traverse City area of northern Michigan, and currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin.</p>\n<h3>\n	<strong>Charlene Kalebic, J.D.</strong></h3>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<div>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Charlene_Kalebic.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 100px; height: 125px; \" />Charlene Kalebic currently&nbsp;serves as Counsel for the firm of SchiffHardin, a general practice law firm&nbsp;headquartered in Chicago with offices in seven cities.&nbsp; As&nbsp;legal counsel to privately-owned companies&nbsp;and not-for-profit organizations, Charlene has expertise in many areas of law, including corporate governance, shareholder and employee disputes, contract negotiations, and the maintenance of tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law and a B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from Augustana College (Rock, Island, Illinois).</p>\n	<div>\n		<p>\n			Charlene also has served as Chief Financial Officer of Probus Publishing Company,&nbsp;as financial analyst for Culligan International, Inc. and Lane Industries, Inc., and as staff auditor for Arthur Andersen and Company. She is currently a member of the Board of Regents of Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois), and also serves&nbsp;Trinity College as an adjunct faculty member, where she teaches a (very popular) course in business law.&nbsp;As former law clerk&nbsp;to the Honorable Morton Denlow of the federal&nbsp;District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Charlene has&nbsp;written&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;published judicial opinions, and is the author of several published articles, including &ldquo;Children, the Unprotected Minority&rdquo; (<i>Regent University Law Review&nbsp;</i>2002-2003), &ldquo;The Constitutionality of Human Cloning&rdquo; (<i>University of Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal</i>&nbsp;1998), and &ldquo;Banning Human Cloning&rdquo; in&nbsp;<i>The Reproduction Revolution</i>&nbsp;(Eerdmans and Trinity International University Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, 2000). A person who came to Christ at a young age in a devout Christian family, Charlene has continued to grow in her faith in Christ and her capacity to serve others.&nbsp;Married and mother of five children, Charlene and her family attend Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois. Charlene has served in various roles and ministries both within and outside of Christ Church, including being a past member of the Christ Church Board of Deacons, the Christian International Scholarship Fund, Illinois Citizens for Life, the Illinois Family Institute and Life Builders Ministry, an organization which provides&nbsp;support to AIDS orphans. Charlene has&nbsp;recently entered into a publishing agreement with Christian book publisher Deep River Books for her first book. &nbsp;</p>\n		<h3>\n			<strong>Mr. Vincent Morris</strong></h3>\n		<p>\n			&nbsp;</p>\n		<div>\n			<p>\n				<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}VinceMorris.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 78px; height: 84px; \" />Vincent Morris&nbsp;graduated from Gordon College in Massachusetts with a dual major in Youth Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies. After a decade as a youth minister in the western suburbs of Chicago, he embarked in a new direction as Manager of Risk, Environmental Health and Safety at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Eventually promoted to his current position as Wheaton&rsquo;s Director of Risk Management, Vince is responsible for a wide range of duties encompassing the health and welfare of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the College.</p>\n			<div>\n				<p>\n					He has been a member of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) since 1998, where he has served as past president and past member of its board of directors as well as chair and participant on many of its task forces and committees. Vince also served as URMIA&rsquo;s publications editor, and is widely published in his field. Beyond his professional activities, Vince continues to interact with, mentor, and develop the faith of students by hosting student groups in his home. Through his Christian faith, which was nurtured by his parents, Vince has discovered his gifts for leading others to a mature faith in Christ and to confidence in God that propels them into a meaningful life of service. Among his academic and professional credentials, Vince earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Theology from Wheaton College, where he wrote his master&rsquo;s thesis entitled, &ldquo;Eighth-day creators: A Christian environmental stewardship ethic based on the &lsquo;image of God&rsquo; in the doctrine of creation.&rdquo; He is an Illinois<span style=\"color: rgb(204, 0, 0); \">-</span>certified CPA, and is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Wheaton College, expecting to graduate&nbsp; in May 2012. Vince is a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Warrenville, Illinois, the same church where he worked as a youth minister, and continues to serve in this community.</p>\n			</div>\n		</div>\n	</div>\n</div>\n','none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(292,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Alexandra de Sosa identified 93 native plant species around Grand Traverse Bay to serve as representative species for restoring areas after invasive species removal.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}AAC-shoreline-plant1(1).jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 166px; \" />Our summer research students&#39; labors of love are starting to make ripples. &nbsp;Alex de Sosa&#39;s research has become front-page material for the latest <a href=\"{filedir_5}Invasives newsletter 9-11.pdf\">Grand Traverse Regional Invasive Species Network newsletter</a>. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	While at Au Sable, Alex worked in partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to catalog plant species found in six representative shoreline areas around Grand Traverse Bay. &nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Invasives newsletter 9-11(1).pdf\">93 plants species</a>&nbsp;she discovered would go on to make up a list of suggested species for homeowners, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to use when doing restoration work on Grand Traverse Bay shoreline.</p>\n<p>\n	Au Sable representative Dave Mahan and members of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy presented Alex&#39;s research as part of The Watershed Center&#39;s annual <a href=\"http://www.gtbay.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Freshwater-Summit-2011-agenda2.pdf\">Freshwater Summit</a>.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The Au Sable Academic Council (AAC) visited one of Alex&#39;s sites, the Maple Bay Preserve, for a field trip during their annual meeting. &nbsp;The site was also used by Collin Whitsett for his&nbsp;<a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/collin_whitsett_pitchers_thistle_research_part_1\">pitcher&#39;s thistle research</a>. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Read more about Alex&#39;s research experience this summer in her <a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/alex_de_sosa_wetlands_research\">end-of-summer&nbsp;</a><a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/alex_de_sosa_wetlands_research\">r</a><a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/alex_de_sosa_wetlands_research\">eflection piece</a>.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Alex-de-Sosa-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(293,1,1,'','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(294,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable intern Travis Silveus updates us on the remarkable discoveries his students (and he!) have made during his first weeks as an intern.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Travis.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 125px; height: 189px; \" /></p>\n<div>\n	<div style=\"font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); \">\n		<p>\n			I have had numerous students come up to tell me that the field trip to Au Sable was their big brother or sister&#39;s favorite field trip.&nbsp; What a huge compliment!&nbsp; Not only did they come away with bellies full of molasses cookies and waxed-tipped fingers from the homemade candles, they were able to experience history!&nbsp; I have seen both parent and child&#39;s eyes light up with discovery as they learn of the wonders of the living setting about them.&nbsp; Trees come to life as we discover just what goes on amidst the top-secret inner workings of their trunks. &nbsp;Common place animals take on mystery as one sees just what they&#39;re up to when we aren&#39;t around.&nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			One of those moments came during the day when we were able to roll over a fallen log and examine what was happening underneath.&nbsp; Students found all sorts of fun creatures that we were able to hold.&nbsp; (My group became excellent salamander hunters!)&nbsp; On another occasion we connected one of the fragrances of chewing gum with a tiny wintergreen plant.&nbsp; We helped to spread a cloud of spores from a club moss while we learned about reproduction.&nbsp; With a close look at the maple leaves, the little guys were able to see the differences between the red maple and the sugar maple.&nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			Childhood is exploration.&nbsp; Through touching, tasting, hearing, smelling and seeing, elementary students are able to interact with the world around them while we hiked the trails.&nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			I am reminded of a quote by Rachel Carson I read last week in Joseph Cornell&#39;s text.&nbsp; &ldquo;If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder... he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.&rdquo;&nbsp; I am so thankful for the opportunity to play a small part in this important role.</p>\n		<p>\n			------------------------<br />\n			<em>Travis is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and a past student of Au Sable&#39;s college program. &nbsp;Prior to Au Sable, he mentored youth&nbsp;through the Boys and Girls Club during college.</em></p>\n		<div>\n			&nbsp;</div>\n		<p>\n			&nbsp;</p>\n	</div>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}kid-microscope_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(295,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Lightning, bugs, woodpeckers. &nbsp;Au Sable intern Jessica Eggemeyer tells stories about introducing children to nature by peeling back the bark.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Jessica(2).jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 125px; height: 159px; \" /></p>\n<div>\n	<div style=\"font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); \">\n		<p>\n			Coming from a slightly more urban area, I have been around a lot of kids who haven&rsquo;t had the chance to truly experience nature.&nbsp; This isn&rsquo;t to say St. Louis is completely barren of trees or wildlife; rather, school aged children lack the opportunity to explore the wildlife surrounding them.&nbsp; I believe that in order to really experience something you have to get to know it first.&nbsp; At first this may seem confusing.&nbsp; How do I get to know nature, it&rsquo;s not exactly an individual I can shake hands with?&nbsp; Yet, in a way, a dialogue with nature can still be formed through exploring, playing, watching and simply learning. It is this experience of quality time spent in nature that allows us to know it.</p>\n		<p>\n			Giving kids the opportunity to experience nature is really what Au Sable is all about. Today, as I was leading a group on the trail running along Louie&rsquo;s Pond, we discovered a gigantic dead tree right beside the path.&nbsp; The tree was impressive in itself but as we began to explore it the class realized that this tree was loaded with a diversity of bugs that in turn attract birds like woodpeckers.&nbsp; After more exploration, the kids saw that the tree had no bark on it. Scattered around the tree were pieces of bark and singe marks indicating that the tree had been stuck by lightning. &nbsp;We later used the area around the tree as a good spot to make some nature art projects. What at first sight to the class was just a large dead tree transformed into a learning experience with nature. &nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			I know kids come to Au Sable because they are learning about plants, mammals or even Michigan History, but it&rsquo;s being surrounded by nature that really captivates them. &nbsp;After all, you can learn about mammals anywhere, but being able to hike on a trail and look for some provides excitement in the experience.&nbsp;</p>\n		<p>\n			----<br />\n			<em>Jessica graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in biology, and vast experience working with children through summer camps and gymnastics classes. &nbsp;This is her first Au Sable experience.</em></p>\n	</div>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}Louie-Pond-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(296,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable intern Dan Brouwer looks for moments to share about caring for the natural world amid the awe and wonder of his students. &nbsp;Not a bad predicament.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Dan.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" /></p>\n<div>\n	Well I&#39;ve been in Michigan for 3 &frac12; weeks so far and its been great! I love the fall colors and the cool breeze and the crisp mornings. It&#39;s quite the place to be &ndash; and quite the place to be teaching!</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	As an environmental instructor my hope is that the kids will have a great outdoor experience, learn to appreciate nature and to just get outside more and go explore! We also hope that the children (and teachers and parents!) gain a sense of duty to care for the environment. The latter thought I&rsquo;ve had a difficult time getting across to the kids.</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	So far most of our teaching days have been Michigan History. For Michigan History days, we tell the kids we are going back in time to see fur traders and loggers at a logging camp. This is often quite comical and results in mixed feelings and thoughts for the students. You can see the wheels turning in their minds: &nbsp;Is this real? Are they actors? Do they live here? Are we actually back in time? Of course some think so and others just disregard the whole idea.</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	As these above thoughts reveal themselves in questions, odd comments, and actions, the kids are also involved in making candles, cutting logs, baking cookies, and trading furs. As you can see, a lot of their focus is spread out &ndash; and thus this makes it hard for me and my fellow environmental instructors to shove one last idea into their active brains!</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	On a typical day, they are outside trying new things, enjoying nature, and playing (Awesome!). &nbsp;And then maybe something out of the blue happens! &nbsp;A perfect opportunity to talk about creation care?</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	&ldquo;Hey look! &nbsp;A blue jay!&rdquo; one of the kids yells.</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	Thoughts of cookies, furs, and candles instantly stop and only the blue jay matters. There&#39;s a chance to share that important idea of creation care!</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	&ldquo;My dad shoots blue jays because they&rsquo;re noisy!&rdquo; yells another. Laughter erupts.</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	Then again maybe not!</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	But as I think of it, and as more Michigan history days happen, I see in each child a mixture of excitement, wonder, awe, confusion and (of course) laughter. Sure they are thinking about cookies, candles, furs and logs &ndash; but they&#39;re outside! Enjoying themselves and the little things of that day!</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	Maybe at that age, being outside and enjoying the small things of Michigan History - like making candles or eating cookies made from a wood stove - is enough to instill an appreciation for the outdoors and plant a seed for a heart of stewardship! It also reminds me (and maybe us) of the importance of the small things in everyday life and the blessings (and maybe hidden blessings) we receive from them.</div>\n<div>\n	&nbsp;</div>\n<div>\n	----</div>\n<div>\n	<em>Dan graduated from King&#39;s University College in Edmonton, though he hails from Surrey, BC. &nbsp;Prior to Au Sable, he worked as a carpenter (fitting for Michigan History), coffee barista, and substitute teacher.</em></div>\n','none','{filedir_1}monarch-butterfly.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(297,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Students, faculty, and staff from this past summer conducted a biological inventory of Bayside Park in Acme Township to integrate ecological data into the township&#39;s redevelopment efforts.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Bayside-Park-Report.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 270px; \" />Au Sable students, faculty, and staff teamed up this past summer on an Integrative Session Day to perform a <a href=\"{filedir_5}Bayside_Park_Suvery_2011_op6.pdf\">biological inventory and report</a> on 5.75 acres of park land for Acme Township Supervisor, Wayne Kladder. &nbsp;The land, known as Bayside Park, lies along the Grand Traverse Bay lakeshore to the east of Traverse City. &nbsp;The township recently purchased a new property adjacent to the site, and &nbsp;Kladder and other Township decision-makers will be deciding how these two properties will be used as part of Acme Township&#39;s redevelopment efforts. &nbsp;Au Sable Associate Director, <a href=\"/about/staff/\">David Mahan</a>, approached Kladder about performing an inventory of plants, birds, animals, natural features, large trees, invasive species, and important, non-natural features to integrate critical ecological data into the Township&#39;s decision-making process. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The inventory and report gave the&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/\">Summer Session I</a>&nbsp;students the opportunity to apply their new knowledge from their various courses in&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Animal%20Ecology\">Animal Ecology</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Field%20Botany\">Field Botany</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Aquatic%20Biology\">Aquatic Biology</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Land%20Resources\">Land Resources</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Conservation%20Biology\">Conservation Biology</a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Molecular%20Tools\">Molecular Tools</a>&nbsp;to real-world context and public decision-making processes. &nbsp;Land Resources professor, Jason Van Horn, provided GIS expertise to map critical areas for natural features protection and restoration, and research student <a href=\"/news_and_resources/blog/student_researcher_featured_by_grand_traverse_regional_invasive_species_net\">Alex de Sosa</a>&#39;s wetland inventory highlighted the quality of the interdunal wetlands along the lakeshore.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The <a href=\"{filedir_5}Bayside_Park_Suvery_2011_op6.pdf\">Bayside Park Report</a>&nbsp;illuminates how the park&#39;s lakeshore property makes it an important site for local landscapes and biodiversity. &nbsp;The site features beach, associated wetlands, and low, forested dunes, which comprise almost half of the park&#39;s area. &nbsp;The report notes that the natural shoreline is relatively rare around Grand Traverse Bay, and the presence of Acme creek makes it an important site for local natural features. &nbsp;The group concludes that with some restoration work that pays particular attention to invasive species, the park could play a role in protecting local habitats.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Bayside-Park-Report-1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(298,1,1,'<h1>\n	Environmental Education Program and Event Calendar</h1>\n<p>\n	<iframe frameborder=\"0\" height=\"500\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?showTitle=0&amp;showPrint=0&amp;height=500&amp;wkst=1&amp;bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&amp;src=ausable.org_qbs0tgv60qdov42h5vcedf1dj8%40group.calendar.google.com&amp;color=%238C500B&amp;ctz=America%2FNew_York\" style=\" border-width:0 \" width=\"600\"></iframe></p>\n<p>\n	To schedule a field trip or inquire about an event, contact Paul Wiemerslage at paul.w@ausable.org or (231) 587-8686.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(299,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Charlene Quint currently&nbsp;serves as Counsel for the firm of SchiffHardin, a general practice law firm&nbsp;headquartered in Chicago with offices in seven cities.&nbsp; As&nbsp;legal counsel to privately-owned companies&nbsp;and not-for-profit organizations, Charlene has expertise in many areas of law, including corporate governance, shareholder and employee disputes, contract negotiations, and the maintenance of tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law and a B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from Augustana College (Rock, Island, Illinois).</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}Charlene_Kalebic.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0022','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Charlene also has served as Chief Financial Officer of Probus Publishing Company,&nbsp;as financial analyst for Culligan International, Inc. and Lane Industries, Inc., and as staff auditor for Arthur Andersen and Company. She is currently a member of the Board of Regents of Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois), and also serves&nbsp;Trinity College as an adjunct faculty member, where she teaches a (very popular) course in business law.&nbsp;As former law clerk&nbsp;to the Honorable Morton Denlow of the federal&nbsp;District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Charlene has&nbsp;written&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;published judicial opinions, and is the author of several published articles, including &ldquo;Children, the Unprotected Minority&rdquo; (<i>Regent University Law Review&nbsp;</i>2002-2003), &ldquo;The Constitutionality of Human Cloning&rdquo; (<i>University of Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal</i>&nbsp;1998), and &ldquo;Banning Human Cloning&rdquo; in&nbsp;<i>The Reproduction Revolution</i>&nbsp;(Eerdmans and Trinity International University Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, 2000). A person who came to Christ at a young age in a devout Christian family, Charlene has continued to grow in her faith in Christ and her capacity to serve others.&nbsp;Married and mother of five children, Charlene and her family attend Christ Church in Lake Forest, Illinois. Charlene has served in various roles and ministries both within and outside of Christ Church, including being a past member of the Christ Church Board of Deacons, the Christian International Scholarship Fund, Illinois Citizens for Life, the Illinois Family Institute and Life Builders Ministry, an organization which provides&nbsp;support to AIDS orphans. Charlene has&nbsp;recently entered into a publishing agreement with Christian book publisher Deep River Books for her first book. &nbsp;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(305,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Fall intern Jessica Eggemeyer reflects on how the environmental education changed her and allowed her to learn more about herself.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Leafs_light.JPG\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 188px; \" />As much as I thought that the Au Sable internship was over, I&rsquo;m delighted to say that I think it has rubbed off on me. &nbsp;I now find myself searching for the dichotomous tree key before going on walks, promoting the use of compost bins to my neighbors and joyfully proclaiming, &ldquo;How neat is that?&rdquo; whenever I find an object that sparks my interest. Call me a nerd, but being at Au Sable has enhanced the way I look at nature even in my own environment back at home.</p>\n<p>\n	Besides picking up cute phrases and more eco-friendly habits I was additionally surprised to find how much I enjoyed environmental education, and simply teaching in general. &nbsp;Although, to be fair, I&rsquo;m pretty sure it&rsquo;s hard to beat teaching kids about plants, animals, cookies and candles. But even without the incentive of eating cookies, I felt that many of the days I came away from teaching feeling completely energized from the kids.&nbsp; I think ultimately this energy comes from connecting and relating to the students. To show a child that they are surrounded by nature and history is a truly rewarding task, even if it is only on a basic level such as explaining that mammals, in fact, do not have tails.</p>\n<p>\n	Yet, of course there were other days when I wasn&rsquo;t really sure if the kids understood what in the world I was talking about. &ldquo;What is a mammal?&rdquo; Although those days were more tiring, they helped me understand how essential a connection with the student is. &nbsp;I think this connection is what I really loved about teaching. The ability to relate to the kids, to intrigue them, and direct them towards further discoveries is what teaching is all about.</p>\n<p>\n	Teaching at Au Sable was a great experience that I&rsquo;m really thankful for. Reflecting on my internship experience I&rsquo;ve realized that I really enjoy working with kids and in the field of education. &nbsp;Although I might not run off to become your child&rsquo;s next middle school teacher, I am looking into opportunities which promote science in a fun and educational way with the general public and kids alike.&nbsp; After all, how neat is that?</p>\n<p>\n	------------------------</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Jessica graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in biology, and vast experience working with children through summer camps and gymastics classes. &nbsp;This is her first (and we hope not last) Au Sable experience.</em></p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Pond-Students.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(303,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Testimonials2.jpg','xhtml','/courses/testimonials/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(307,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Fall Intern Travis Silveus&#39;s startling discoveries about life after Au Sable.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Sky-landscape-Travis.JPG\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 267px; \" />I awoke with a start at 7 a.m. this morning. &nbsp;Another 5 days as Reuben the 1900&rsquo;s cook.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m not prepared, and I don&rsquo;t even remember where I left my costume!&nbsp; It took a few seconds to collect my thoughts and remind myself that I&rsquo;m not in Mancelona anymore.&nbsp; Though I ultimately came to my senses, it made me realize how much the environmental education internship gets into you.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	I grew throughout my time as an intern.&nbsp; Time out in the woods alone with God really brought about spiritual healing.&nbsp; God opened my eyes to His hands at work during some of the moments of loneliness and doubt that had been haunting me some months before.&nbsp; Being outside and clear of distractions really opened my heart and thoughts to God.&nbsp; He is sufficient to provide fuel for His purposes.</p>\n<p>\n	I must admit I had never seriously considered education at this stage in life.&nbsp; Participating in the program these last few weeks has brought a new understanding of what science education can be.&nbsp; Am I to move towards a teaching position at this point?&nbsp; I have no idea, but I have opened to the possibility and will continue to wait for whatever opportunities are to come my way.</p>\n<p>\n	My time with the internship is something I won&rsquo;t forget. &nbsp;I am now starting to appreciate the unique atmosphere at Au Sable.&nbsp; I mean, how many times can you lead a group of kids back in time?&nbsp; The whole time wasn&rsquo;t easy, frustration and exhaustion seemed all too prevalent, but that serves to remind me of the reality of this dream.</p>\n<p>\n	---------------------</p>\n<p>\n	<em>Travis is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and a past student of Au Sable&#39;s college program. &nbsp;Prior to Au Sable, he mentored youth through the Boys and Girls Club.</em></p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Louie-Pond-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(308,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	One day it is clear and sunny, the next stormy and cold.&nbsp; Get your fix of Fall while you can, Winter is coming!</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000768_1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 188px;\" /></p>\n<p>\n	We&rsquo;ve had a wonderful fall, long stretches of blue skies and bright sun casually interrupted by several days of steady rain.&nbsp; The kind of weather you can understand, a healthy give and take; 4 or 5 days of sun for 2 or 3 days of rain, a fair trade.</p>\n<p>\n	I have to be honest though; I have secretly wanted snow for weeks. It&rsquo;s not that late fall is boring.&nbsp; By all means it is fantastic.&nbsp; There is a clarity and depth that emerges from the forest, which is almost unimaginable during the summer months.&nbsp; Those who walk the woods are gifted with blasts of color from small tooth aspens, white oaks, and beeches that thankfully (<em>and stubbornly</em>) insist of retaining their leaves until the last moment.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000758_1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 188px;\" /></p>\n<p>\n	Yet this subtle beauty is seldom enough to prevent me from eagerly anticipating the first sandal-ending snow. That is because I love Northern Michigan winters, they are beautiful, practically indescribably so.&nbsp; Gobs of white fluffy snow drape from the conifers.&nbsp; Vertical bands of brown and grey trunks divvy up the endless expanses of white.&nbsp; Hiking boots are traded for snowshoes; bikes for skis.&nbsp; And don&rsquo;t even get me started on winter trout fishing on the Manistee and Au Sable rivers.&nbsp; Yep, winter is a beautiful time of year.</p>\n<p>\n	It&rsquo;s also 7 months long.&nbsp; That means 7 months of daily shoveling, dressing in layers, stomping boots at the door, grey skies, and automobile eating salted roads (it helps to remember all of this when you are praying for snow in October&hellip;)</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000769_1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 188px;\" /></p>\n<p>\n	Yesterday we received our first helping of snow for the season; the first of what I hope will be many.&nbsp; Not much, one or two inches, but it was enough to blanket the landscape and remind us of what is to come, both the good and the bad.&nbsp; So if you haven&rsquo;t done so, pick up the yard lest your toys will be lost till May, get the shovels down from the rafters, stock up on fuel stabilizer, wax the skis, dig out the snowshoes, and don&rsquo;t forget to hike, bike and run as much as you can because the time is running out on these events.&nbsp; Winter is coming!</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}P1000772.1_4.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(309,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Now back home in beautiful British Columbia, fall environmental education intern Dan Brouwer reflects on his time at Au Sable.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000656_1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 206px;\" />Well&nbsp; I have been back in the great white north for a few weeks now and have had some time to reflect on the environmental education internship at Au Sable. It&#39;s good to be home!</p>\n<p>\n	My internship experience has taught me a lot of things. The first being that I say &#39;eh&#39; or &#39;hey&#39; more than I think. I&#39;ve started to notice it in the way my family and friends talk too! But on a more serious note, I&#39;ve learned that I enjoy teaching , love the outdoors even more, and how much there is to learn in my own back yard! I&#39;ve been more encouraged to discover more about the history of the area I live in as well as some of the &#39;neatness&#39; of nature around me!</p>\n<p>\n	I find myself pulling things from the internship experience and applying it to things I do in my own neighborhood. Whether it be bringing along a plant identification book on walks or discussing teaching methods with my mother (who is a grade 2 teacher) or appreciating the little things in life like an oven or a light bulb.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000720_1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 204px;\" /></p>\n<p>\n	The other day I took a bike ride to a park close to my house. Peering over the edge of a brand new bridge (still under construction) and into the stream below I saw large Chinook salmon on their spawning run. I wonder how many people in the area even know that there are fish in this stream and if so do they even care? Questions started to ring in my mind - how can I help others appreciate nature? How can we ensure a balance between development and stewardship?&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Another thought that struck me- how was it that I knew about the salmon runs? I can remember my parents taking me and my siblings on walks almost every Sunday - we would go outside, experience, feel, and just be outside! I can confidently say this has fostered my love for the outdoors.</p>\n<p>\n	Teaching at Au Sable as unlocked a few ideas and views on some things&nbsp; for me. And has also reaffirmed for me the importance of nature, understanding &nbsp;how much we impact it, how much we still don&#39;t know, and how important it is to get out there - both young and old!</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}P1000657_1.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 199px;\" /></p>\n<p>\n	I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that God is faithful&nbsp; and He has the whole world in his hands. Even the spawning salmon. &nbsp;I just hope and pray we don&#39;t forget that - and at the same time act like the stewards He calls us to be.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}P1000651.1_.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(310,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	One of Au Sable&rsquo;s founding families has continued its generosity and commitment to the Institute.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"Louie\'s Pond this Fall\" src=\"{filedir_5}%2315 Field - louie\'s pond fall 2008 - J_ Free.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 267px; \" />One of Au Sable&rsquo;s founding families has continued its generosity and commitment to the Institute.&nbsp; The Snyder family recently sold most of their land to Au Sable Institute, increasing the Great Lakes site from 65 acres to 116 acres. &nbsp;This addition adds all of Louie&rsquo;s Pond and the Beaver Pond, plus a pine plantation, northern hardwoods, and some old historical rail road grades to the Institute land. &nbsp;Au Sable purchased the land for approximately a third of its market value as the Snyders wish to see the Great Lakes site increase its natural study area and continue its mission of environmental protection. &nbsp;The Snyders will keep their home and approximately 5 acres to enjoy the northern area and participate in supporting the Institute in whatever way they can.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	&ldquo;Au Sable is deeply indebted to the Snyders for their vision and commitment to the Institute over these forty years,&rdquo; says Au Sable Associate Director Dave Mahan, &ldquo;The way I think about this purchase, which is more of a donation, is that the Au Sable property is now complete.&rdquo;</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Big_twin_woods-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(311,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies welcomes this year&#39;s 2011-2012 Au Sable Graduate Fellows cohort! &nbsp;These graduate students have been accepted as fellows for their eagerness to integrate their Christian faith with the principles and practices of environmental stewardship throughout their graduate program.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies welcomes this year&#39;s 2011-2012 Au Sable Graduate Fellows cohort! &nbsp;These graduate students have been accepted as fellows for their eagerness to integrate their Christian faith with the principles and practices of environmental stewardship throughout their graduate program. &nbsp;<a href=\"http://ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/agf-chapters.html\">Graduate Fellows chapters</a> -- at Cornell University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin-Madison -- allow students to support one another by meeting regularly to foster a community of learners committed to exploring topics and issues in&nbsp;Christian environmental stewardship. &nbsp;Fellows from all chapters meet once a year at the Great Lakes Campus in Mancelona, Michigan for a winter conference.</p>\n<p>\n	Congratulations to the following students who have been designated as fellows in 2011-2012:</p>\n<div>\n	<div>\n		<h2>\n			Bethany Laursen</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Bethany_Laursen.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 210px;\" />Bethany grew up in California&rsquo;s Central Valley and graduated from Biola University in 2006 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, a minor in Chemistry, and functional minors in classics, Bible, and environmental studies through the Torrey Honors and Au Sable Institute (Pacific Rim, summer 2004). Bethany was inspired by her summer at Au Sable to become a founding member and second president of Biola&rsquo;s first environmental club. Since then, she has been an outdoor and science educator, wilderness trip leader, and research intern for various seasons in Maine and New Hampshire. Now, Bethany is pursuing an M.S. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying the governance of biomass and bird habitat in southwest Wisconsin. She dreams of teaching Christian college students in a residential program like Au Sable that incorporates the great books of western civilization, Christian thought, and social-ecological system resilience through discussion and wilderness travel. Bethany connects to God&rsquo;s creation by laying in the leaves, playing guitar and singing, traveling rivers by canoe, swing dancing, and coiling messy ropes.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Amanda McMillan</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Amanda_McMillan.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 126px;\" />Amanda is a&nbsp;graduate student in Community and Environmental Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working towards her MS/PhD. &nbsp;She is&nbsp;particularly interested in agriculture as a mechanism of community re-establishment, environmental conservation, and sense of &ldquo;home&rdquo; in post-disaster scenarios.&nbsp; After graduating from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, Amanda worked as the assistant to the founder of A Rocha, a Christian conservation organization, in France.&nbsp; She returned to the US in 2009 to polish her skills of phone-answering as a receptionist at an engineering firm.&nbsp; &nbsp;She also worked part-time as an afterschool agriculture club coordinator at an urban garden in Harrisburg, PA.&nbsp; Amanda is very happy to be back at school, particularly in such a bike-friendly, sunny city as Madison.&nbsp; She is involved with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Geneva Campus Church.&nbsp; Amanda&rsquo;s playtimes include swing and folk dancing, hosting board-game nights, and chatting with friends in coffee shops.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Christine Yaeger</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Christine_Yaeger.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 113px;\" />Christine is a M.S. student in Natural Resources Science and Management at the University of Minnesota. Her thesis focuses on evaluating a watershed outreach intervention program in southwestern Illinois (near St. Louis, MO), and exploring the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to help inform future work of extension and outreach professionals. She enjoys the applied aspect of evaluation and is excited about doing more outreach and education work, especially internationally related to missions. During the summer of 2011 she spent a month with the NGO Care of Creation in Kenya surveying farmers around Kijabe. Prior to starting a Masters she waded many a stream across Minnesota and Iowa as a hydrotech with the U.S. Geological Survey and worked with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture&#39;s North Central Region SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grant program. She completed her B.S. in Natural Resources at Minnesota in 2006. Christine is involved with Jubilee Community Church and connects with nature through photography and outdoor activities like biking around lakes, running at local parks, snowshoeing, and camping.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Kathryn Bomey</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Kathryn_Bomey-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 163px;\" />Kathryn is pursuing a master&rsquo;s degree at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. She has a dual-concentration in behavior, education, and communication and in conservation biology, with plans to graduate in spring 2012. She is studying behavior change resulting from environmental education, communication, and outreach programs, as well as expanding her ecology background and field skills. Working in the forests of Vermont during a Nature Conservancy internship in summer 2011 strengthened Kathryn&rsquo;s passion for conservation and helped her form an even deeper connection with the natural world. After earning her bachelor&rsquo;s degree in journalism from Eastern Michigan University in 2007, Kathryn worked for three years as a reporter at a daily newspaper, where her interest in conservation developed as she wrote occasional articles about the environment. The daughter-in-law of a pastor (and wife of a P.K.), Kathryn enjoys playing the flute in her church&rsquo;s orchestra.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Allyson Green</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Allyson_Green-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 221px;\" />Allyson is working on a joint MS in Environmental Justice and MPH in Environmental Health at the University of Michigan. Her love for nature and interest in environmental justice stems from growing up in Baraboo, WI, a town rooted in a strong conservation history yet facing controversies over land use and environmental health issues. After graduating from Calvin College, where she spent a semester in New Zealand and Samoa with the Creation Care Studies Program, she moved to southwest Virginia to serve as a VISTA volunteer with the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team. She put her Secondary Science Education degree partially to work writing curriculum, doing community outreach, and learning birding and mandolin playing tips from her neighbors. She then spent a couple years doing environmental education and community outreach near Milwaukee before heading back to school. Allyson finds immense joy in small wonders and takes every opportunity possible to help cultivate a sense of wonder in others, even if that just means taking a minute to watch the squirrel antics during the morning walk to school.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Anna Mitterling</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}AnnaMitterling-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 172px;\" />Anna Mitterling is currently pursuing a master&#39;s degree at Michigan State University in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department.&nbsp; Her focus is on deer&nbsp; cooperatives in Michigan and how being part of a group may effect individual hunter behavior. &nbsp;She received her bachelor&#39;s degree from Spring Arbor University, where she attended the&nbsp;Au Sable Institute for a January Term and had a great experience! &nbsp;Anna emulates Christ&#39;s love when working with people in wildlife management. &nbsp;Her care for the people she interacts with allows them to listen to and respect what she has to say. &nbsp;She connects to nature on a regular basis by immersing herself in it, through hiking in the full colors of fall or a cross-country skiing over a fresh coat of snow.&nbsp; The magnificent beauty is stunning and reminds her of our Creator.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Janet Rice Barclay</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Janet-Rice-Barclay-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 195px;\" />Janet is a graduate student in Environmental Engineering at Cornell University.&nbsp; As part of the Soil and Water Lab, her research interests include studying how stream restoration and climate change impact the microbial processes of removing nitrogen from soil and water, and utilizing community volunteers to assess restoration success.&nbsp; She received her BS in Biomedical Engineering (Chemical Engineering Concentration) from Johns Hopkins University in 1999, and then a certificate in Leadership and Camp Ministry through Wheaton College at HoneyRock Camp.&nbsp; Afterwards, she worked in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and as an associate pastor at St. Andrews Christian Church.&nbsp; One of her highlights from this season was developing and leading an outdoor adventure and cross-cultural service trip to introduce students to the environmental and justice issues facing the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Penobscot River.&nbsp; Her tenure in vocational ministry gave her a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the interactions between the many members of ecological communities and she is excited to bring that value to her scientific work.&nbsp; Janet is refreshed and restored by most anytime outside in natural settings, but she especially enjoys extended trips hiking, paddling, or back-country skiing, either alone in the quiet (for short trips) or with her husband and son (in the not so quiet).</p>\n		<h2>\n			Leah Zimmerman</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Leah-Zimmerman.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 113px; float: left;\" />Leah is a dual degree student at the University of Michigan, jointly pursuing an MS at the School of Natural Resources and Environment and an MBA at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. She is motivated professionally by both a deep appreciation for her role as a steward of Creation and by a desire to provide faith-enriching experiences in nature for future generations.&nbsp;Leah received a BA in Russian and East European Studies from Yale University and studied Russian Language and International Relations as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar at Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok, Russia.&nbsp;After an adventure-filled conservation career in Siberia and the Russian Far East, Leah realized that she wanted to return to her home state &mdash; Michigan &mdash; and to spend her efforts protecting the region&#39;s rich natural resources and growing vibrant local communities.&nbsp;Before coming back to Michigan, Leah served as Russia Program Director and Interim Executive Director for San Francisco-based Pacific Environment, worked as an independent consultant for Portland-based Wild Salmon Center, taught English and volunteered for organizations in Siberia, and interned for Yale Students for Christ. In her spare time, Leah enjoys playing and coaching soccer, experimenting in the kitchen, backpacking, and cycling on quiet country roads.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Josh Miller</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Josh-Miller-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 210px; \" />Josh is a current MS student in Environmental Policy and Planning at the University of Michigan SNRE. His love for the natural world began in rural Michigan on camping, hunting, and fishing trips with his father. His love for spiritual restoration began in a small, rural youth ministry, and grew during his years as an undergraduate at Huntington University, IN. Following graduation, Josh and his wife, Andrea, moved to Syracuse, NY, where he served as an associate pastor. Disillusioned with a faith that separated the spiritual and the physical, he moved to Asbury Theological Seminary, KY, where he earned a MA degree in Biblical Studies, focusing on religion and the environment. This experience birthed a desire to work as a person of faith toward environmental stewardship and justice revolving around freshwater policy. He is interested in pursuing a career with a NGO in watershed policy and management, and plans to eventually work with an international NGO that aids community-based organizations in developing countries with education, networking, resources, and expertise. He is especially fond of his three children, of gardening, of health, and of sustainable living.</p>\n		<h2>\n			Christine Baver</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Christine-Baver-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 175px; \" />Christine is a MS student at Cornell University studying Environmental Engineering. Her work is motivated by the presence of preferential flow in Israel, which results in decreasing crop yield and increased contaminant transport.&nbsp; More specifically, she studies dynamic contact angles and how it relates to the onset and formation of preferential flow. Prior to her graduate work, she studied physics in Pacific Lutheran University (2009) and was introduced to environmental engineering through a summer internship as a park ranger in Pennsylvania and through irrigation research on campus at PLU.&nbsp; She is currently attends St. Luke and Graduate Christian Fellowship. Christine listens to nature through pottery, running, driving tractors for long extended periods of time, biking, planting, hiking, swimming and eating!</p>\n		<h2>\n			Paul Simonin</h2>\n		<p>\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Paul-Simonin-1-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 185px; \" />Paul is a PhD student at Cornell University studying aquatic ecology and fisheries, and is conducting research in the Great Lakes of North America and subsistence fishing communities in Southeast Asia. He first became interested in Christian conservation work while growing up in the Adirondack region of New York State and interacting with seemingly disparate church and conservation circles. His more recent work in Southeast Asia has been a particularly appropriate venue for studying how differing worldviews affect human relationships with land/seascapes and places. In Ithaca, Paul is involved with New Life Presbyterian Church and Cornell&rsquo;s Graduate Christian Fellowship. He enjoys a range of outdoor activities from hiking and skiing to kayaking and diving, and though graduate school can be wonderful, he escapes Ithaca for these and other adventures whenever possible.</p>\n		<p>\n			---------------------</p>\n		<p>\n			Read more about <a href=\"http://ausablegradfellows.weebly.com/meet-the-fellows.html\">current and past graduate fellows</a> on our Au Sable Graduate Fellows website.</p>\n	</div>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_8}Grad-Fellows-Retreat-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(312,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	What do you get when you add fourteen plus three plus two? Answer: a full India course. Fourteen students from North American colleges, three Indian students from Bishop Heber College, and our two professors, Dr. Orin Gelderloos and Dr. A. Relton, will study South Indian ecosystems from the Bay of Bengal to the Western Ghats mountain range this January.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Tiger-200pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 94px; \" />The engine puttered to a stop. Awed silence.&nbsp; Thirty yards away, lying in a sparse grass field rimmed with short trees, lolled a male tiger: rolling on his back, yawning, staring intently at the large, metal bus purring a short distance away. &nbsp;Twelve sets of eyes and round faces transfixed on his 450 pound frame.&nbsp; After twenty minutes, he stood up, his sun-speckled body sauntering into the deeper grass.&nbsp; In 16 years, it was the first time an Au Sable India group laid eyes on a Bengal tiger.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	The Western Ghats &ndash; home to this male tiger -- is one of the world&rsquo;s <a href=\"http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/ghats/Pages/default.aspx\">25&nbsp;</a><a href=\"http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/ghats/Pages/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">biodiversity hotspots</a>, a fact not lost on students in the &lsquo;<a href=\"/courses/course_information/january_term/\">Ecology of the Indian Tropics</a>&rsquo; course.&nbsp; The course, which ecosystem-hops across landscapes spanning the Bay of Bengal to the Western Ghats mountain range, samples the immense biodiversity of South India over the period of three weeks.&nbsp; The time span is short, but the helpings of rare, charismatic, and unique creatures are generous.&nbsp; The Bengal Tiger was an elusive &ldquo;find&rdquo; for the group (scientists estimate there are around 400 remaining in the entire region), yet the dwindling, hidden tigers contrast strongly with the other indigenous species that explode across the landscape. Dolphin, green bee-eater, little <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Feeding-elephant-200pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />blue kingfisher, double-crested cormorant, flamingo, spoonbill, painted stork, black buck, bonnet macaques, lion-tail macaques, slender loris, green tree snake, and Asian elephants simply start the list. &nbsp;The Western Ghats alone are home to 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, and over 5000 species of &nbsp;flowering plants. &nbsp;325 of these species are globally threatened.&nbsp; At the same time, many more species are being discovered. &nbsp;Just last summer, scientists discovered twelve new frog species in the Western Ghats.&nbsp; For an Au Sable student sketching a creature in their notebook, not only is this the first time they may have sketched this creature, but there is the distinct possibility that this is the first time that creature has ever been sketched.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}coastal-birdwatching-200pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />This January, fourteen North American students spanning six Christian colleges -- Bethel University, Calvin College, Goshen College, Southern Nazarene University, Gordon College, and Messiah College &ndash; will join two professors, periodic guest lecturers, and three Indian students from Bishop Heber College (BHC) to explore the immense diversity of plants, animals, ecosystems, and cultures of South India.&nbsp; As in the previous 16 years, they will be led by Professor Orin Gelderloos (University of Michigan-Dearborn), Professor A. Relton (BHC), and Professor A. Daisy (BHC).&nbsp; All three have a tremendous passion, and eye, for wildlife, but perhaps none more than Professor Relton.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Growing up in a village nearby to Trichy, Tamil Nadu, home of Bishop Heber College, Professor Relton developed a keen eye for birds.&nbsp; When Au Sable worked to form the Heber Au Sable Institute at BHC, Relton seized on the opportunity to attend Au Sable courses that summer, including ornithology.&nbsp; On a recent visit to the Great Lakes Campus this past Fall, Relton spotted and identified North American birds with ease even though it was his first time back in the States in nearly 15 years. &nbsp;His incredible nack for spotting wildlife makes the South Indian landscape come to life for Au Sable students throughout the course.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Village-family-200pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />Despite Relton&rsquo;s keen eye for wildlife, he serves as Chair of the Social Work Department at BHC and leads programs for social work students throughout the villages surrounding Trichy, Tamil Nadu. &nbsp;However, this too is an advantage. &nbsp;Students in the &lsquo;Ecology of the Indian Tropics&rsquo; course have the opportunity to engage with village and city life under Dr. Relton&rsquo;s guide, and learn about the rich and meaningful ways villagers and city-dwellers interact with their environment. &nbsp;The course tours numerous villages during the three weeks, and students must complete an ethnography of a village as one of their assignments.</p>\n<p>\n	Upon returning to the United States, last year&#39;s student Lisa Pederson wrote, &quot;I have taken time to reflect on the rich and diverse experiences I had while in India. Gratitude floods me every time I do so, as I realize the opportunities I was afforded are testimony to superb faculty that worked countless hours to ensure my trip&#39;s success. You, Dr.Orin, along with the Indian faculty, are responsible for what I deem a life-changing trip.&quot;&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	This January, Au Sable students get the opportunity to meet people, and creatures, of all different stripes.</p>\n','none','{filedir_8}coastal-birdwatching-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(313,1,1,'<h1>\n	2013</h1>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Christian Hayes, Cedarville University - &quot;Effects of Reservoir Drawdown on Riffle Macroinvertebrate Communities&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	In 2007 Keystone Pond, a reservoir behind the Boardman dam, Boardman River, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, USA was drawn down in preparation for dam removal. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of drawdown on benthic macroinvertebrate riffle communities by comparing a downstream site in a newly formed channel to an upstream control. Since 2008 a total of 2338 macroinvertebrates have been sampled and identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level. Data were analyzed using Chi-Square goodness of fit tests, Simpson&rsquo;s Index of diversity, and S&oslash;rensens&#39; Quotient of Similarity. We found that macroinvertebrate communities in the new channel have recovered to a more natural condition and show increasing similarity to the upstream control site.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}ChristianHayes_Poster_101413.pdf\">Poster</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Boardman_Research_Presentation_Christian_Hayes_101413.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Christian%20Hayes_Boardman_River_Final_101413.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">David Petry, Bethel University - &quot;Response of Boardman River water temperature and insect communities and to dam removal&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Dam removal is becoming a common technique to restore streams to a more natural state. Few studies have looked at the effects of removing hydroelectric dams on macroinvertebrate communities or on stream temperature. The Boardman River, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse Counties, Michigan, USA, has four dams, three are scheduled for removal. The objective of this study was to examine the benthic insect communities and stream temperature regime (1) as a baseline prior to the removal of Brown Bridge Dam, (2) following a drawdown of the reservoir (Brown Bridge Pond), and (3) following the deconstruction of Brown Bridge Dam. Water temperature has been recorded hourly since May 2011 using data loggers. We determined that the dam increased downstream water temperature (~3&deg;C) during summer months and slightly decreased temperature during winter months. Although not immediate, downstream water temperature following the dam removal has started to mirror upstream temperatures. We sampled macroinvertebrates during the early summers of 2011, 2012 and 2013. Following the reservoir drawdown, metrics for macroinvertebrate communities (%EPT, EPT/C, sensitive:tolerant taxa ratio) increased downstream of the dam and became more similar to upstream sites. In 2013, following the dam removal, increased sediment in downstream reaches resulted in decreased habitat quality and thus insect metrics. This study provides meaningful information for short-term effects of the dam removal. Continued monitoring will enhance understanding of long-term effects.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}David-Petry-Boardman_River_2013-Paper.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Kendra Antonides, Calvin College - &quot;What is the relationship between sculpin abundance and water quality in streams in northwestern Michigan?&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	The U.S. Forest Service designated mottled sculpins as an indicator species &ndash; one whose presence suggests high stream quality. However, due to the lack of documentation on the range of sculpins, my study investigated the distribution of sculpin in Kalkaska, Antrim and Crawford County, MI. I hypothesized that sculpin abundance was negatively correlated with stream temperature. Sculpins are increasingly threatened due to human encroachment and physical or chemical stream alterations. Therefore, we considered the study of sculpins as central and pertinent to assessing the health of local ecosystems. However, I found no relationship between sculpin abundance and abiotic factors at the conclusion of my study. This suggests the need for further investigation into the status and relevance of sculpin as indicator species.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Rob Keys, Cornerstone University; Dr. Fred Van Dyke, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}Search_for_Sculpin-Kendra_Antonides-final.pdf\">Presentation</a> | <a href=\"{filedir_5}What is the relationship between sculpin abundance and water quality in streams in Kalkaska County in Michigan.pdf\">Poster</a></p>\n<h1>\n	2012</h1>\n<p>\n	<strong style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}IMG_4505.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 133px; float: right;\" /></strong></p>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><strong style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Candace DeLong, Anderson University -- &quot;Wetland vegetation recovery and effectiveness of&nbsp;<em>Phragmites australis</em>&nbsp;herbicide treatment on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan&quot;</strong></span></h2>\n<p>\n	<em>Phragmites australis</em>, an invasive reed capable of forming monospecific stands and reducing biodiversity, has been treated with herbicides along Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan for three years, 2009-2011 (Chambers et al. 1999, The Watershed Center, Grand Traverse Bay 2011). To determine the effectiveness of herbicide treatment and the floristic value of recovering vegetation, herbicide treated sites were sampled and compared to control shoreline vegetation unaffected by Phragmites or herbicide. Herbicide effectiveness was determined by comparison of Phragmites stem counts between herbicide treated areas and nearby controls. Similarity between herbicide and control sites was determined using S&oslash;renson&rsquo;s Similarity Index and the Floristic Quality Assessment was used to give a value to each species (Herman et al. 2001). Herbicide treated and control sites were determined to have similar species composition, but significant differences existed between the qualities determined by floristic values of herbicide and control sites.</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Mentor: Dr. Ken Sytsma, University of Wisconsin-Madison; David Mahan, Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies</span></p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Phragmites_presentation_CND.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}DeLong_Mahan_2012_Wetland_vegetation_recovery_effectiveness%20of%20Phragmites_australis_herbicide_treatment%20_Final%20changes%20CND.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}davidpetry2013-300pxl.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 125px; float: right;\" /></span></strong></h2>\n<h2>\n	<strong style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">David Petry, Bethel University -- &quot;Effects of Keystone Pond drawdown on riffle macroinvertebrate communities&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	In 2007, Keystone Pond, the reservoir behind the Boardman Dam on the Boardman River in Grand Traverse County, Michigan was drawn down due to safety concerns about the integrity of the dam. The objective of this study was to determine whether the newly formed channel (Lone Pine) has returned to a natural state as compared to an upstream control site (Shumsky Road) using macroinvertebrate indicators. Since the drawdown five years ago, macroinvertebrates have been annually collected and identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level. The data were analyzed using Simpson&rsquo;s Index of Diversity and S&oslash;rensen&rsquo;s Quotient of Similarity. We determined that while the newly formed riffle channel had recovered to a more natural state, the macroinvertebrate communities are still changing and not yet comparable to the upstream control site.</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</span></p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}David-Petry-ppt.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}David-Petry-Paper.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Ope-Oyewole-2012-250pxl.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 200px; float: right;\" /></span></strong></h2>\n<h2>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><strong style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Opeoluwa Oyewole, Oral Roberts University -- &quot;A comparison of total phosphorus levels in lakes in Kalkaska County, Michigan and relation to trophic state index&quot;</strong><br />\n	<strong style=\"font-size: 12px;\">(Winner of the Undergraduate Paper of the Year, Environmental Sciences and Planning Division, Oklahoma Academy of Sciences)</strong></span></h2>\n<p>\n	Phosphorus has been determined to be the limiting nutrient in many lakes in Michigan. The amount of phosphorus in a lake can be affected by several factors, including the morphometry of the lake, more specifically, the lake&rsquo;s depth. The amount of phosphorus in mid-summer in 10 lakes of distinctly different morphometry in Kalkaska County, Michigan was measured, in conjunction with several other physical and chemical measurements. Carlson&rsquo;s Trophic State Index was used to classify each lake. Statistical analysis revealed the correlation between mean total phosphorus and these factors was very low. However, within these results, it was observed that the correlation between the mean total phosphorus and Secchi depth was the strongest (R2 = 0.059), while that of total depth (R2 = 0.289) was weak and the number of houses (R2 = 0.028) had the weakest correlation with mean total phosphorus.</p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus; Dr. Scott Carr, Anderson University</span></p>\n<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Download:&nbsp;</span><a href=\"{filedir_5}Ope-Oyewole-Phosphorus-study.pdf\"><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Presentation</span></a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">&nbsp;|&nbsp;</span><a href=\"{filedir_5}Ope-Oyewole-Phosphorus-study(1).pdf\"><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">Paper</span></a><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">&nbsp;| <a href=\"{filedir_5}ACS-presentation-Oyewole.pdf\">Poster</a></span></p>\n<h1>\n	2011</h1>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Collin-Whitsett-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 196px; \" />Collin Whitsett, Southern Nazarene University -- &quot;A Comparison of Pitcher&#39;s Thistle (<em>Cirsium pitcheri</em>) in Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Pitcher&rsquo;s thistle, <em>Cirsium pitcheri</em>, is a threatened species endemic to Great Lakes Dune ecosystems that has suffered greatly from shoreline development and recreational use (Harrison 1988, USFWS 2002). &nbsp;Previous genetic studies on the species have suggested that there is little gene flow between populations and high inbreeding within populations. &nbsp;I sampled four populations representing a total shoreline distance of approximately 1070 km in attempts to 1) further understand of the genetic health of the species; 2) to see if any historical factors that have influenced Pitcher&rsquo;s thistle movement and dispersal can be inferred; and 3) to see if a wide sampling range reveals markedly more genetic variation for the species than a limited one. &nbsp;Four microsatellite loci were examined, and a loose grouping structure emerged between the northern and southern sample sites.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentors: Dr. Tim Evans, Grand Valley State University, and Dr. Ken Sytsma, University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}Collin_Whitsett-Pitchers_Thistle_Presentation.pdf\">Presentation</a> | <a href=\"{filedir_5}Whtsett_2011_PitchersThistle.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Alex-de-Sosa-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 262px; \" />Alex deSosa, Wheaton College -- &quot;Plant Inventory of Wetlands with Potential for Phragmites australis Invasion on the Shores of Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	The invasive presence of Phragmites australis, the common reed, has detrimental effects on native biodiversity and wetland ecosystem processes, in addition to negative social and economic effects (Getsinger et al. 1999). As private landowners along the Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan, follow the suggestions of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other organizations to remove Phragmites from their property, a comprehensive list of local, native wetland species with which to replace the invasive grass is a practical need. The inventory provided by this study includes 139 species, in addition to an evaluation of the six inventory sites using the Floristic Quality Assessment (Herman et al. 2001).</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Ken Sytsma, University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Alex-deSosa_Research-Presesentation.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}AlexdeSosa-Inventory-2011ONLINE.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Michelle LaForge, Wheaton College -- &quot;A Benchmark Macroinvertebrate Analysis of the Boardman River Prior to Dam Removal&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	In the late summer of 2012, the Brown Bridge Dam on the Boardman River in Traverse City, Michigan will be removed. The objective of this study is to provide a benchmark of current macroinvertebrate populations to aid in the restoration processes that will occur after dam removal. Three riffle sites were sampled using a stratified sampling technique. The macroinvertebrates collected were identified to genus level when practical and were subjected to Shannon&rsquo;s diversity index and Morisita&rsquo;s similarity index. In total, 2,662 macroinvertebrates were collected and identified. Analysis showed the site below the dam having the highest degree of species richness and diversity. When the sites were compared, the two upstream sites showed a high level of similarity, while the downstream site showed a high degree of differentiation.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus; Dan Ippolito, Anderson University</p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Michelle_LaForge-Boardman_Presentation.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}LaForge_2011_BoardmanRiver-BrownBridgeDam.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}William-Miller-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 189px; \" />William Miller, Messiah College -- &quot;Effects of Forest Road Fragmentation on Genetic Differentiation in Northern Red-backed Salamanders&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Roads can fragment animal populations, which can lead to decreased gene flow between populations. &nbsp;This causes increased genetic differentiation and decreased genetic diversity between and among populations. &nbsp;These affects are well documented in studies focusing upon the effects of urbanization on salamander populations, however, little is known about the effects of rural roads on fragmented populations of salamanders. &nbsp;We used microsatellites to examine the effects forest road fragmentation has on genetic diversity and differentiation in populations of northern red-backed salamanders. &nbsp;We sampled populations on both sides of two single-lane forest roads. &nbsp;Initial findings confirm successful PCR amplifications at the PcLX16 and PcI16loci. &nbsp;Qualitative findings also show no observable heterozygosity. &nbsp;Genetic analyzer did not produce any usable data. &nbsp;Due to the lack of quantitative data, no conclusions can be made about the effects of forest road fragmentation on genetic differentiation.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Tim Evans, Grand Valley State University</p>\n<p>\n	Download:&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Miller_Research_Presentation-1.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"{filedir_5}Miller_2011_P-cinereus-forestroads.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Jacob-Boone-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 212px; \" />Jacob Boone, Spring Arbor University -- &quot;A Comparison of Stream Health Based on Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Above and Below a Future Dam Removal Site on the Boardman River, Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}Jake_Boone-Boardman_Presentation.pdf\">Presentation</a>&nbsp;| Paper</p>\n<h1>\n	2010</h1>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Lauren_Westerman-200pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 154px; \" />Lauren Westerman, Covenant College -- &quot;The Relationship Between Bird Species Diversity and Habitat Addressed through Foliage Height Diversity and Percent Canopy Cover in Northern Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Birds were surveyed in seven plant communities in northern Michigan to assess bird&nbsp;diversity. &nbsp;Species presence was recorded by use of 10-min point counts.&nbsp; The habitat was assessed with a foliage height profile at twenty points within the plant community.&nbsp; The habitat structure was divided into three levels corresponding to the ground cover layer, the shrub layer, and the canopy.&nbsp; An increasing linear correlation was found to exist between bird species diversity and increase in foliage height diversity as well as between bird species diversity and greater percent canopy cover.&nbsp; No correlation was between the year-round resident species and the foliage height diversity or the percent canopy cover.&nbsp; A positive linear correlation existed between foliage height diversity, percent canopy cover, and migratory species.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Kenneth Petersen, Bethel University</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}ResearchPPT_LW.pdf\">Presentation</a> | <a href=\"{filedir_5}Lauren_Westerman-Research_Paper.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Doug_Sponsler-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 190px; \" />Douglas Sponsler, Cedarville University -- &quot;Trapping Yellowjackets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Northern Michigan: An observational study of meat foraging, comparision of three carbohydrate baits, and assessment of 20 seafood products&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Yellowjackets are often involved in pestiferous interaction with humans.&nbsp; In addition to stinging behavior, some yellowjackets can become serious ecological hazards.&nbsp; Control can be achieved through toxic baiting and non-toxic trapping.&nbsp; The three-part study in Kalkaska County, northern Michigan, examined: 1) foraging habits of meat scavenging species, 2) the relative effectiveness of acetic acid + isobutanol, heptyl butyrate, and apple juice as carbohydrate baits, and 3) the attractiveness of 20 seafood products as potential baits. The observational study and the seafood product assessment yielded no useful data, due to low yellowjacket populations.&nbsp; The carbohydrate comparison suggested that Vespula flavopilosa favor apple juice, but the data was not significant when submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Hal Reed, Oral Roberts University</p>\n<p>\n	Download: Presentation | <a href=\"{filedir_5}Douglas_Sponsler-YellowjacketPaper.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}tommy_mcelrath_research-150pxl.png\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 203px; \" />Thomas McElrath, Covenant College -- &quot;Stream Quality Survey of the Upper Boardman River, Northern Michigan, Utilizing Benthic Macroinvertebrates&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	This study aimed at determining stream quality, using an analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates, at nine different sites along the upper Boardman River system (Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties, Michigan). Sampling protocol and metric analysis followed GLEAS Procedure 51 established for evaluating Michigan streams. Results were compared to three previous sampling studies conducted at the same sites, especially a 2004 study. A minor, but noticeable, overall decline of stream quality was found for the upper watershed, most likely due to local causes. However, the stream is still high quality, with one &ldquo;Excellent&rdquo; site and eight &ldquo;Approaching Excellent&rdquo; sites. One site, in downtown Kalkaska, showed significant decline, most likely caused by human activities, and further testing and restoration is recommended at this site.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}Thomas_McElrath-Presentation_2010.pdf\">Presentation</a> | <a href=\"{filedir_5}Thomas-McElrath-paper(1).pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Esther Migan Dassi, Oral Roberts University -- &quot;Host-specific Sequences to Identify Fecal Pollution Sources in Manistee Lake, Kalkaska County, Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Lake water contamination with fecal material poses potential health hazards. Lakes are better managed by determining the presence and source of contamination.<em>Escherichia coli</em>&ndash;(<em>E</em>.&nbsp;<em>coli</em>)&ndash;is recognized as the indicator of fecal contamination in freshwaters by the U.S. EPA, which sets the water quality standard for recreational waters to 235 CFU/ 100 mL.&nbsp;<em>E. coli</em>, a fecal coliform in the Enterobacteriaceae bacteria family, primarily resides in the gastrointestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including mammals and birds. In this study, I used Coliscan&reg; Easygel&reg; media to test for&nbsp;<em>E. coli</em>&nbsp;in Manistee Lake.&nbsp;<em>E. coli</em>counts varied from 0 to 60 CFU/ 100 mL at most sites, but the&nbsp;<em>E. coli</em>&nbsp;count from the site frequently populated by Canada geese varied from 0 to180 CFU/ 100 mL.<br />\n	To determine the source of fecal contamination, I used a molecular approach involving Polymerase Chain Reaction&mdash;a molecular tool that amplifies a specific region of DNA using primers&mdash;to amplify host-specific16S ribosomal genes of the&nbsp;<em>Bacteroides-Prevotella</em>&nbsp;group. One set of host-specific primers targeted the 16S rDNA gene of bacterial&nbsp;<em>Prevotella</em>&nbsp;specie<em>,&nbsp;</em>specific to the Canada Goose (<em>Branta canadensis</em>), whereas, a second set of primers targeted the 16S rDNA gene in the genus&nbsp;<em>Bacteroides</em>species host-specific to humans. The fecal contaminants of the lake could not be determined because of a lack of success in amplifying these genes from lake water.&nbsp; Likewise, the attempts to isolate the 16S rDNA gene directly from Canada Goose feces was unsuccessful.&nbsp; However, the attempt to obtain amplified fecal 16S rDNA from the human samples was successful.&nbsp; In spite of the setbacks, utilizing molecular tools to address the problem of indentifying sources of fecal contamination remains promising and efforts in the future should be continued.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. John Korstad, Oral Roberts University</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Nathan-Sather-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 221px; \" />Nathan Sather, Bethel University -- &quot;Riffle Community Recovery After Reestablishment of a Swift River Channel Following Reservoir Drawdown at the Boardman River, Traverse City, Michigan&quot;&nbsp;</span></strong><br />\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">(Winner of the Undergraduate Paper of the Year, Minnesota Academy of Sciences)</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	The purpose of this study was to characterize the macroinvertebrate community and observe differences between two undisturbed riffles (Shumsky Site, Boardman Acres Road Bridge), and a newly developed riffle at the head of the old reservoir (Lone Pine Site). Additionally, samples were compared with those taken in similar studies in 2008 and 2009 to determine the amount of recovery in the reestablished river channel at the Lone Pine Site. Macroinvertebrates were identified to lowest possible taxonomic level and distinguished by morphospecies.<br />\n	Each of the three sites were found to be taxonomically similar in their macroinvertebrate community composition. A total of 864 individuals were identified. Shumsky (undisturbed site) had 31 observed morphospecies, the Boardman Acres Road Bridge site (undisturbed) had 32 morphospecies, and the Lone Pines (recovering site) had 36 morphospecies. A comparison of the recovering site with the undisturbed, natural sites using S&oslash;rensen&rsquo;s Quotient of Similarity indicated that the recovering Lone Pine Site was similar in regards to community structure. Additionally, rank abundance curves, indicated similarity in relative species abundance, evenness, and richness. Results from this study suggest that three years after the Boardman Dam reservoir was drawn down, the recovering Lone Pines site has returned to a &ldquo;natural state&rdquo; in regards to invertebrate community structure.</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}Nathan_Sather-Recovery_of_the_riffle_community_in_the_Boardman.pdf\">Presentation</a> | <a href=\"{filedir_5}Nathan_Sather-RiffleRecovery2011.pdf\">Paper</a></p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan and Dr. Garrett Crow, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<h1>\n	2009</h1>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Nathan Sather, Bethel University -- &quot;Recovery of the Riffle Community in the Boardman River as a Consequence of Reestablishment of a Swift River Channel Following Reservoir Drawdown at the Board River, Traverse City, Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	The Boardman River is a groundwater fed stream that meanders through Michigan&rsquo;s Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties. The Boardman and Sabin dams are two of four dams that impede the Boardman&rsquo;s flow and due to safety concerns are in the process of removal. The Boardman Dam Reservoir was lowered 17 feet in 2007, resulting in the reestablishment of river channel upstream. Research has indicated that dams negatively affect stream ecosystems by increased sedimentation and alteration of natural habitat. The purpose of this study was to characterize the macroinvertebrate community and observe differences between an undisturbed riffle (Shumsky Site), a newly developed riffle at the head of the old reservoir (Lone Pine Site) and at a riffle below a dam (Sabin Dam Site). Additionally, samples were compared with those taken in a similar 2008 study to determine the amount of recovery&nbsp; in the reestablished river channel at the Lone Pine Site. Macroinvertebrates were identified to lowest possible taxonomic level and distinguished by morphospecies. Each of the three sites were found to be taxonomically distinct in their macroinvertebrate community composition. Shumsky had 35 observed morphospecies, Lone Pines had 25 morphospecies, and Sabin Dam had 43 morphospecies. A comparison of the recovering site with the undisturbed, natural site using S&oslash;rensen&rsquo;s Quotient of Similarity indicated that the Lone Pine Site has not fully recovered, but showed a considerable increase in similarity (40%) in contrast to the 2008 analysis (17.8%).&nbsp; Additionally, an improvement in richness of indicator species was observed.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Jacob Meier, Calvin College -- &quot;Diversity of Macroinvertebrates in Differing Substratum Types at Three Sites in the Lower Boardman River, Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	The diversity of the macroinvertebrate communities of different microhabitat types was characterized at three different sites along the Lower Boardman River, Michigan.&nbsp; Three sites along the Boardman River including an undisturbed site, a naturally recovering site, and a site just below an impoundment were sampled.&nbsp; Samples were taken from up to five habitat types, depending on availability, at each site; the habitat types included a riffle area, sand, macrophyte bed, bank margin, and organic area.&nbsp;&nbsp; A biodiversity inventory of all macroinvertebrate taxa collected was compiled, which consisted of 377 individuals representing 108 different taxa.&nbsp; As demonstrated by other studies, the undisturbed and dam sites showed the riffle microhabitats to be the most diverse, but this was not true within the recovering site. A chi<sup>2</sup> test for independence also showed that microhabitats at the recovering site were not significantly independent, suggesting that macroinvertebrate communities in unstable streams such as the naturally recovering stream site in this study, may be made up of species that are less habitat specific than those in more stable streams.</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Meghan Rorick, Hardin-Simmons University -- &quot;An Assessment of a Small Mixed Northern Hardwood-Conifer Forest Restoration Project in Northern Lower Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	At present, forest loss continues at an alarming rate all over the world.&nbsp; Therefore, it is very important to not only protect the remaining forest, but also restore the forest ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed.&nbsp; This study evaluated the condition of a small forest restoration project in northern Lower Michigan one year after implementation in 2008 by measuring the percent herbaceous cover, the species diversity, the percent of native and non-native/invasive species, the average percent decrease of non-native species per soil treatment, and the growth/survival of transplanted trees and shrubs.&nbsp; A complete inventory of the entire site was also compiled as baseline for future studies. The study found an increase in percent herbaceous cover, total number of individual plants, and species diversity since 2008.&nbsp; It also found a decrease in percent non-native species.&nbsp; Plots that received &ldquo;raked&rdquo; and &ldquo;tilled&rdquo; soil treatments also showed a decrease in average percent of non-native species relative to the control.&nbsp; A positive effect has been seen in just one year from establishment of the restoration project at this site. Future studies should be conducted to further monitor the process of restoration.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Warners, Calvin College&nbsp;</p>\n<h1>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 18px; \">2008</span></h1>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Jane Louwsma, Calvin College &ndash; &ldquo;Response of the Macroinvertebrate Community to the Reestablishment of the Channel of the Lower Boardman River, Michigan&rdquo;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. David Mahan, Au Sable Institute, Great Lakes Campus</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Tova Braun, Oral Roberts University -- &quot;Field Testing of Possible Foraging Attractants for Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Northern Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Hal Reed, Oral Roberts University</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \"><img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Miriam-Adameic-200pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 212px; \" />Miriam Adamiec, Oral Roberts University -- &quot;Prevalence of <em>Escherichia coli </em>Before and After Storm Events in Big Twin, Oxbow, and Starvation Lakes in Northern Michigan&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	<em>Escherichia coli</em>(<em>E. coli</em>), a fecal coliform bacteria, primarily resides in the gastrointestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals and birds. <em>E. coli</em> is recognized as the indicator of fecal contamination in freshwaters by the U. S. EPA, which sets the water quality standard for recreational waters to 235 <em>E. coli</em> per 100 mL humans. In the Great Lakes region, <em>E. coli</em> counts that peaked during summer months have been correlated to stormwater runoff from waterfowl, septic, and agricultural sources. The goal of this study was to detect the impact of rainfall on <em>E. coli </em>counts in Northern Michigan lakes.<br />\n	In June and July 2008, Starvation, Oxbow, and Big Twin Lakes were tested for <em>E. coli</em>, general coliforms, and total coliform counts using Coliscan<sup>&reg;</sup> Easygel<sup>&reg;</sup> media. Each lake had two or three sites with three sample replicates collected near shore at each site. Ten sampling dates were completed over a period of six weeks, with six weekly baseline collections and four after-rainfall samplings collected within 24 hours of at least 0.8 centimeters (0.3 inches) precipitation.<br />\n	ANOVA Multi-Way statistical results show that rainfall has significant impact on <em>E. coli</em> counts. However, individual statistical analysis for each of the lakes shows that in only Oxbow and Starvation after rainfall <em>E. coli</em> counts showed a significant difference from the baseline data. This may be as a result of human versus animal influence on the lakes, which can be further researched using PCR DNA Fingerprinting. Mann-Whitney-U statistical results show that rainfall has significant impact on <em>E. coli</em> counts.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. John Korstad, Oral Roberts University</p>\n<p>\n	Download: <a href=\"{filedir_5}Paper-Miriam.pdf\">Paper</a> | <a href=\"{filedir_5}Final BIO Poster.pdf\">Poster</a></p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Bryan Gray, Malone College -- &quot;Statistical Analysis of Three Distinct but Adjacent Ecosystems in Regards to Herpetological Abudance and Diversity&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Tom Lee, Abilene Christian College</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Kira Langendoen, Redeemer University College -- &quot;Habitat Use by Whip-poor-wills: Comparison of human-dominated and forest-dominated landscapes&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Katie Weakland, Bethel College (IN)</p>\n<h2>\n	<strong><span style=\"font-size: 12px; \">Jeffrey Koning, Calvin College -- &quot;The Effect of Various Concentrations of <em>Centaurea maculosa</em> exudate on the Germination and Growth Rate of Two Assay Species, <em>Fesctuca arundinacea</em> (Tall Fescue) and <em>Trifolium repens</em> (White Clover)&quot;</span></strong></h2>\n<p>\n	Mentor: Dr. Randy VanDragt, Calvin College</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(314,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Dr. David K. Foster serves as the Chair and Faculty Representative to the Au Sable board. &nbsp;He is professor at Messiah College, where has served for 15 years. He is Professor of Biology and Environmental Science and Chair of the Sustainability Studies major committee. In addition, he has been a faculty member with Au Sable Institute since 1997, teaching courses including Plant Ecology, Forest Ecology, Field Botany, and Ecology of the Chesapeake Bay Region at three Au Sable program sites. &nbsp;He also serves as the current chair for the annual Au Sable Academic Council meeting. &nbsp;His time with Au Sable extends back to his days as an undergraduate at Eastern University, where he attended Au Sable and received Naturalist and Environmental Analyst certificates from the Institute.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}DSCN3524-100pxl1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0023','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	David has studied the vegetation of the world and promoted Christian Stewardship across the United States and in New Zealand. His lifelong interests center on plant ecology, restoration of forest environments, and how native peoples use plants for food and medicine, editing the second editions of <u>Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants</u>, and <u>Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants</u>. He grew up in the northern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Superior. Dr. Foster has a BS in Biology with Honors (Eastern University, 1990); a MS in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development and a PhD in Botany (University of Wisconsin- Madison 1993, 1998).&nbsp;</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(315,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'','none','','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Ryan O&rsquo;Connor serves as the Alumni Representative on the Board and has been involved with Au Sable for nearly 15 years, attending Au Sable as a student in 1998, serving as an Environmental Education Intern in 1999, and engaging with the Graduate Fellows Program on several college campuses, including starting a precursor to the Graduate Fellows Program at the University of Michigan.&nbsp;</p>\n','none','{filedir_2}Ryan-OConnor.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0024','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Ryan works as the Acting Lead Botanist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Endangered Resources, the natural heritage program for the state, which is responsible for collecting, synthesizing, and communicating information on endangered species and high-quality ecosystems in Wisconsin.&nbsp; Ryan&rsquo;s passion and expertise are in identifying, protecting, and restoring rare and declining species and ecosystems in the Great Lakes region.&nbsp; He also loves to share information with others, and has taught a course on forest ecosystems at the University of Michigan Biological Station.&nbsp; He previously worked as a Conservation Scientist for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), the Michigan natural heritage program, where he authored the book <em>Prairies and Savannas of Michigan: Rediscovering our Natural Heritage</em>, published by Michigan State University Press.&nbsp; The goal of the book and his life are to help others see and appreciate the beauty of the local environment, make scientific information accessible to those who need it, and encourage good stewardship.&nbsp; He holds Master and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. &nbsp;Ryan grew up with a close relationship with Christ.&nbsp; He enjoys pursuing knowledge of God&rsquo;s word as it relates to creation care and daily life through personal study, courses offered by his church, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.&nbsp; In addition to attendance at his church, he is involved in an intentional Christian community that meets weekly for spirit-filled prayer, praise, and fellowship. He grew up in the Traverse City area of northern Michigan, and currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(316,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable will host its semi-annual Community&nbsp;Christmas Potluck Party this Thursday, December 8th at 7 PM.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Frozen_Big_Twin.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 151px; \" />Au Sable will host its semi-annual <a href=\"{filedir_5}Christmas_Teacher_Mailing.pdf\">Community&nbsp;Christmas Potluck Party</a> this Thursday, December 8th at 7 PM. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Come welcome the winter season with people spanning communities from&nbsp;the Twin Lakes to Traverse Bay and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship at Au Sable! &nbsp;We&#39;ve have a potluck spread of delectable appetizers and plenty of warm hot chocolate to go around. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Au Sable staff will also have an opportunity to learn about the community work Au Sable students, faculty, and staff have been busying themselves with throughout the year, including enviromental education, local research, and community lake reports.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Christmas-Hatball-wotie-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(317,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Community-Gathering.jpg','xhtml','/news_and_resources/blog/','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(318,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	A stewardship science news round-up for the week of December 5-12, including climate science, bee behavior, lead battery recycling, hydraulic fracturing, and other news.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<span class=\"Apple-style-span\" style=\"font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; \">Climate Science, Bee Behavior,&nbsp;Lead Battery Recycling,&nbsp;Hydraulic Fracturing, and Other News</span></p>\n<div>\n	<p style=\"text-align: center; \">\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Page-cover.jpg\" style=\"width: 570px; height: 320px; \" /></p>\n	<p style=\"text-align: center; \">\n		Photo credit:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.bbc.com/\">www.</a><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/\">sciencedaily.com</a>&nbsp;(Visscher lab, UC, Riverside)&nbsp;(left);&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/\">www.nytimes.com</a>&nbsp;(Rodridgo Cruz)&nbsp;(right)</p>\n	<ul>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			With climate talks taking place in Durban, South Africa this past week, there have been a number of articles on climate science, including the <strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/science/earth/record-jump-in-emissions-in-2010-study-finds.html?_r=2&amp;scp=6&amp;sq=global+warming&amp;st=nyt\">record rise in carbon emissions</a></strong> in the last year, the <strong><a href=\"http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2011/2011-12-11-091.html\">projections of future climate impacts</a></strong> based on historic records, and&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/12/9395574-greenland-rose-faster-as-100-billion-tons-of-ice-melted-away\">Greenland&#39;s rising land mass</a></strong>.</li>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			Foresters at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) note that the connections between <strong><a href=\"http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2011/2011-12-08-02.html\">accelerating deforestation and climate change throughout Africa</a></strong> are threatening wildlife and ecosystem resilience on the continent.</li>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			Researchers at University of California-Riverside and Cornell University have observed <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208141942.htm\">bee behavior that emulates neuropathways</a></strong> in primate decision-making. &nbsp;Bees use &quot;stop signaling&quot; in determining hive location, only instead of firing neurons like in the brain of a monkey, one bee communicates the &quot;stop signal&quot; to the other bee.</li>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			US Batteries have become a <strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/science/earth/recycled-battery-lead-puts-mexicans-in-danger.html?src=me&amp;ref=science\">cause for concern in Mexico</a></strong> where they are shipped for recycling, with growing lead contamination in populations around recycling factories. &nbsp;The article&#39;s author follows up with an opinion piece &nbsp;suggesting <strong><a href=\"http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/10/fighting-poor-recycling-in-other-countries/?ref=science\">how we should recycle batteries</a></strong>.</li>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			A research student at the University of Rhode Island is chronicling her traumatic and triumphant research experiences while studying&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http://scientistatwork.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/hoping-for-mammals-but-getting-mostly-ants/\">mammal diversity on coffee plantations in Costa Rica</a>&nbsp;</strong>for the NYTimes &quot;Scientist at Work&quot; blog series. &nbsp;The blog series &quot;is the modern version of a field journal, a place for reports on the daily progress of scientific expeditions.&quot;</li>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			The EPA recently completed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/us/epa-says-hydraulic-fracturing-likely-marred-wyoming-water.html?ref=science\">three-year study on hydraulic fracturing</a></strong> in Wyoming and its impacts on local water sources, noting chemical contamination not found through natural processes. &nbsp;</li>\n		<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n			Researchers demonstate that the the greatest <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208101251.htm\">decrease in African great ape populations</a></strong> comes in areas where local law enforcement has little or no presence, indicating very little protection from poaching. &nbsp;</li>\n	</ul>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}Bee-on-man-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(319,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	A stewardship science news round-up for the week of December 12-18, including thawing permaforst, penny-sized frogs, 140 new species discovered, ploughshare tortoise conservation, and other news.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<span style=\"font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; \">Thawing Permafrost, Penny-sized Frogs, 140 New Species Discovered, Ploughsare Tortoise Conservation, and Other News</span></p>\n<div>\n	<div>\n		<p style=\"text-align: center; \">\n			<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Page-cover(1).jpg\" style=\"width: 570px; height: 320px; \" /></p>\n		<p style=\"text-align: center; \">\n			Photo credit: <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com\">www.nytimes.com</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)&nbsp;(left);&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.bbc.com\">www.bbc.com</a>&nbsp;(Durrell Conservation Trust and TRAFFIC)&nbsp;(right)</p>\n		<ul>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				The California Academy of Sciences described&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215095613.htm\">140 new species</a>&nbsp;</strong>in 2011, traversing six continents and three oceans to discover all these new creatures, and reminding us that there are plenty of new species to be found throughout the globe. &nbsp;Other researchers have found <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212123943.htm\">the world&#39;s smallest known frogs</a></strong>,&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16112187\">rare black-throated robins nesting grounds</a></strong>, and <strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/science/leaping-cockroach-discovered.html?_r=4&amp;ref=science\">cockroaches with extreme leaping ability</a></strong>.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Researchers at the University of Adelaide raise the question about <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212132632.htm\">hundreds of threatened US species failing to make the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) list</a>&nbsp;</strong>by comparing the ESA list with&nbsp;the&nbsp;International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) globally threatened list.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				A number of species are facing questions about their future, including <strong><a href=\"http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/hunting-wolves-out-west-more-less/\">US wolf populations</a></strong>, <strong><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16138206\">lemurs in Madagascar</a></strong>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/science/canada-begins-hearings-on-infectious-salmon-anemia-virus.html?_r=1&amp;ref=science\" style=\"font-weight: bold; \">Pacific Northwest salmon</a>.<strong>&nbsp; </strong>Officials in Sierra Leone hope to <strong><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16165760\">preserve&nbsp;</a><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16165760\">bird species through e</a><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16165760\">cotourism</a></strong>.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				The world&#39;s most endangered (and perhaps beautiful) tortoise, the Ploughshare Tortoise (above), is featured in a <strong><a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14293351\">great BBC video</a></strong> on the unique tactics used for protecting tortoises from poachers when they&#39;re released from captive breeding. &nbsp;</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Danish researchers have used <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111211134006.htm\">DNA techniques to identify all fauna present in an entire lake</a></strong>... using a water sample the size of a shot glass (<a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Molecular%20Tools\">Molecular Tools</a> anyone?).</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Climate change may be <strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/science/earth/warming-arctic-permafrost-fuels-climate-change-worries.html?_r=1&amp;hp\">exacerbated by thawing permafrost</a></strong>, releasing tremendous amounts of methane into the atmosphere.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				The National Association of Evangelicals released a report on how global changes are impacting the world&#39;s poor titled, &quot;<strong><a href=\"\">Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment</a></strong>.&quot;</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Forests in Canada may be tettering on thresholds for <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216084215.htm\">forest fires</a></strong>, and <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209150200.htm\">expanding deadzones</a></strong> are making fish counts much more challenging. &nbsp;Climate change is the likely driver for both.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				In positive climate change news, flowers and bees appear to be <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212124601.htm\">keeping pace with climate variations</a></strong>.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Scientists shed light on the <strong><a href=\"\">extremely long distances</a>&nbsp;</strong>elephant seals travel, <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216112903.htm\">the early life of barracudas</a></strong>, and the <a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209105326.htm\"><strong>physics of great white shark attacks on seals</strong></a>.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Hydraulic fracturing may be to blame for <strong><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/science/some-blame-hydraulic-fracturing-for-earthquake-epidemic.html?_r=1&amp;ref=science\">earthquakes</a></strong> in areas where little seismic activity has been experienced&nbsp;historically.</li>\n			<li style=\"text-align: left; \">\n				Human pollution is reaching <strong><a href=\"http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216112510.htm\">remote, arctic lakes</a></strong>, and parking lots (and other built environments) are causing&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/12/15/143795309/ornithologist-discusses-causes-of-bird-downings\">bird downings</a></strong>&nbsp;during migration.</li>\n		</ul>\n	</div>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}New-species-CA1_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(321,1,1,'<h1>\n	Volunteer Form</h1>\n<p>\n	Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Au Sable Institute! Please take some time to tell us a bit about yourself. Shortly after submitting your form, you will be contacted by an Au Sable staff member. Thanks again!</p>\n<form action=\"mailto:dbouma@ausable.org\" method=\"POST\">\n	<b>Date</b>\n	<p>\n		<input maxlength=\"2\" name=\"Month\" size=\"2\" type=\"text\" value=\"MM\" />/<input maxlength=\"2\" name=\"Day\" size=\"2\" type=\"text\" value=\"DD\" />/<input maxlength=\"4\" name=\"Year\" size=\"4\" type=\"text\" value=\"YYYY\" /></p>\n	<p>\n		<strong>Name</strong></p>\n	<input maxlength=\"12\" name=\"First\" type=\"text\" value=\"First\" /><input maxlength=\"15\" name=\"Last Name\" type=\"text\" value=\"Last\" />\n	<p>\n		<strong>Address</strong></p>\n	<input maxlength=\"30\" name=\"Street Address\" type=\"text\" value=\"Street Address\" />\n	<p>\n		<input maxlength=\"30\" name=\"Address Line 2\" type=\"text\" value=\"Address Line 2\" /></p>\n	<p>\n		<input maxlength=\"15\" name=\"City\" type=\"text\" value=\"City\" />&nbsp;<input maxlength=\"15\" name=\"State/Province\" type=\"text\" value=\"State/Province\" /></p>\n	<p>\n		<input maxlength=\"8\" name=\"Zip Code\" type=\"text\" value=\"Postal/Zip Code\" />&nbsp;<input maxlength=\"15\" name=\"Country\" type=\"text\" value=\"Country\" /></p>\n	<p>\n		<strong>Phone</strong></p>\n	<input maxlength=\"3\" name=\"Area Code\" size=\"3\" type=\"text\" value=\"###\" /><input maxlength=\"3\" name=\"Phone 1\" size=\"3\" type=\"text\" value=\"###\" /><input maxlength=\"4\" name=\"Phone 2\" size=\"4\" type=\"text\" value=\"####\" />\n	<p>\n		<strong>Email</strong></p>\n	<input maxlength=\"20\" name=\"Email\" type=\"text\" />\n	<p>\n		<strong>Date of Birth</strong></p>\n	<input maxlength=\"2\" name=\"Month-DOB\" size=\"2\" type=\"text\" value=\"MM\" /><input maxlength=\"2\" name=\"Day-DOB\" size=\"2\" type=\"text\" value=\"DD\" /><input maxlength=\"4\" name=\"Year-DOB\" size=\"4\" type=\"text\" value=\"YYYY\" />\n	<p>\n		<strong>I am interested in assisting with</strong></p>\n	<p>\n		<input name=\"Environmental Education Programs\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"Environmental Education Programs\" />&nbsp;Environmental Education Programs</p>\n	<p>\n		<input name=\"Administrative Work\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"Administrative Work\" />&nbsp;Administrative Work</p>\n	<p>\n		<input name=\"Website/Computer\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"Website/Computer\" />&nbsp;Website/Computer</p>\n	<p>\n		<input name=\"Maintenance/Grounds/Trail Work\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"Maintenance/Grounds/Trail Work\" />&nbsp;Maintenance/Grounds/Trail Work</p>\n	<p>\n		<input name=\"Fundraising and Development\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"Fundraising and Development\" />&nbsp;Fundraising and Development</p>\n	<p>\n		<input name=\"Other\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"Other\" />&nbsp;Other</p>\n	<p>\n		<strong>Please tell us how you found out about Au Sable Institute.</strong></p>\n	<p>\n		<textarea cols=\"50\" name=\"ASI-Found-out-about\" rows=\"5\"></textarea></p>\n	<p>\n		<strong>What is your main reason for volunteering?</strong></p>\n	<p>\n		<textarea cols=\"50\" name=\"Main-reason\" rows=\"5\"></textarea></p>\n	<p>\n		<strong>Do you have any special skills (teaching experience, natural history knowledge, website/computer expertise, grounds work, crafts, administrative skills, grant writing, etc.)?</strong></p>\n	<p>\n		<textarea cols=\"50\" name=\"Skills\" rows=\"10\"></textarea></p>\n	<p style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\">\n		<input name=\"Submit\" type=\"button\" value=\"Submit\" /></p>\n</form>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(322,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable alum and artist Christi Sobel uses art to describe those places at Au Sable that make it home.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \">When I&#39;m at Au Sable in Michigan, I love to take long walks around the outside loop of the trails. &nbsp;</span></p>\n<div>\n	<p>\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \">Since I&#39;ve been going there for years, I have a couple of favorite spots that I&#39;m always pleased to re-visit.</span></p>\n	<p>\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \">Stopping at the edge of the beaver pond, I am happy to see that some things don&#39;t change. &nbsp;</span></p>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}au-sable-beaver-pond.jpg\" style=\"width: 504px; height: 331px; \" /></p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; \">A little further down the path is a large twisting birch tree that I greet like an old friend. &nbsp;</span></p>\n	<p>\n		<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}au-sable-birch.jpg\" style=\"width: 504px; height: 448px; \" /></p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		&nbsp;</p>\n	<p>\n		-------</p>\n	<p>\n		<em>Christi Sobel is an Au Sable alum, long-time friend of the Institute, and Chief Creative Officer for her own art and design company. &nbsp;You can&nbsp;<a href=\"\">visit her website</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"\">following her blog</a>, or&nbsp;<a href=\"\">purchase her goods</a>&nbsp;online. &nbsp;You can also find her most weekends sitting at Booth #84 at the Ithaca Farmer&#39;s Market.</em></p>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_1}christi-painting-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(331,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Grad-Fellows-Retreat-Wilkinson.jpg','xhtml','/news_and_resources/news/au_sable_graduate_fellows_2013_conference_features_dr_loren_wilkinson#.UNNQBIP7KuI','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(323,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'The King\'s University College','none','Michael.Ferber@kingsu.ca','none','','none','780-465-3500 ext. 8130','none','<p>\n	Dr. Michael P. Ferber teaches our <a href=\"{filedir_11}courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Global%20Development\">International Development and Environmental Sustainability</a> course at the Pacific Rim Campus during Summer Session II. &nbsp;Dr. Ferber directs the Environmental Studies Program at The King&#39;s University College in Edmonton, AB where he also serves as Assistant Professor of Geography.&nbsp;Before serving at King&rsquo;s Dr. Ferber was a Development Director at World Vision Appalachia in&nbsp;Philippi,&nbsp;West Virginia.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}Michael-Ferber-Fall-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0023','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	He has over fifteen years of experience serving churches and communities in poverty-stricken regions. His research&nbsp;has bridged creation care, poverty studies, sustainability, geography of religion and human/environment interaction. His publications include, among others, a sidebar in Senator John Edwards book&nbsp;<i>Ending Poverty in America</i>, a chapter on Sustainable Missions in the Evangelical Missionary Society&rsquo;s 2010 Annual Volume, and numerous encyclopedia articles on creation care and the environment. His writing has appeared in&nbsp;<em>Green Culture</em>, <i>Green Education, Environmental Politics, Annals of the Association of American Geographers,<i>GeoCarto</i><i>&nbsp;International</i>,&nbsp;<i>The American Religious Experience,</i>&nbsp;<i>The Canadian Geographer, Journal of Religion Nature and Culture,</i>Geographic Education of the Islamic Culture Region, International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dictionary of Critical Realism,</i> and the <i>Encyclopedia of Geography</i>. In the summer of 2010 Dr. Ferber was one of eight scholars selected for a Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Seminar in&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;and&nbsp;Beijing, China. He has taught numerous courses at King&rsquo;s and at&nbsp;West&nbsp;Virginia&nbsp;University&nbsp;including &#39;Humankind and the Biosphere,&#39; &#39;Environmental Impact Assessment,&#39; &#39;Natural Resource Management,&#39; &#39;Human Geography,&#39; &#39;Geographic Information Systems,&#39; &#39;Urban Geography,&#39; and &#39;Urban and Regional Planning.&#39; He enjoys working at Au Sable for numerous reasons, but especially for the depth of conversation and understanding the Au Sable format provides for students and professors.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(324,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Calvin College','none','dwarners@calvin.edu','none','','none','616-526-6820','none','<p>\n	Dr. Dave Warners teaches our <a href=\"{filedir_11}courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/#Restoration%20Ecology\">Restoration Ecology</a> course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session II. Dave did a BS in Biology and Chemistry at Calvin College, an MS in Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, and a PhD in Botany at the University of Michigan.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}Dave-Warners-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0024','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dave has spent time overseas in Tanzania, Costa Rica, Belize and New Zealand. He has been teaching ecology, botany and research courses at Calvin for 16 years while doing research with students in the areas of conservation, restoration and plant evolution. Recently he has been involved in a community initiative in Grand Rapids to help churches become involved in improving the health of an urban stream, work that has included reintroducing native habitats into urban and industrial areas. Dave has taught several classes at Au Sable and loves the opportunity Au Sable courses afford to facilitate experiential learning while developing a nurturing, mutually encouraging community of Christians dedicated to tending God&#39;s world.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(325,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Black Hills University','none','bvanee@uwalumni.com','none','','none','(605) 642-6616','none','<p>\n	Dr. Van Ee teaches the <a href=\"{filedir_11}courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Molecular%20Tools\">Applied Biodiversity Genetics</a>&nbsp;course at the Great Lakes Campus during Summer Session I. He received his B.S. in Environmental Studies from Dordt College and a Ph.D. in Systematic Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he also earned Naturalist and Land Resources Analyst certificates from Au Sable Institute. He is currently a faculty member and Director of the Herbarium in the Biology Department of the University of Puerto Rico-Mayag&uuml;ez.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}Psychotria_poeppigiana_BvanEe-100pxl1.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0025','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	His research is in plant phylogenetics, taxonomy, and biogeography of both tropical species of the Euphorbiaceae family and plants from the upper midwest of North America. Ben worked as an Environmental Education Intern, and other jobs, at Au Sable before going to graduate school and is greatly looks forward to returning as a faculty member in summer.</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(326,1,1,'<h1>\n	Thank You</h1>\n<p>\n	Thank you for inquiring about volunteer opportunities. &nbsp;A staff member will be in touch with you soon. &nbsp;Have a great day!</p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(327,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Au Sable is building connections with international development and missions programs at our participating colleges, helping them to provide courses that focus on environmental sustainability.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Nepal-hillside.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />Last February, our interim director Martin Price urged me to participate in Calvin College&rsquo;s Faith and International Development Conference. &nbsp;As an International Development Studies minor at Calvin myself, and with a graduate degree in International Environmental Policy in tow, it wasn&rsquo;t a hard sell. &nbsp;I went with the hope of connecting with students passionate about hunger and sustainable development issues and potentially interested in our &lsquo;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&rsquo; course. &nbsp;However, during my time at the conference, it became apparent that Au Sable could fill a wider niche in the international development and higher education spheres by equipping students interested in serving developing countries with skills and techniques that alleviate poverty and prevent environmental degradation.</p>\n<p>\n	Understanding ecosystems, and the people that rely on them, may be the most crucial knowledge international studies students acquire in college. &nbsp;Rural communities in developing countries draw almost all their resources for daily life from within a few kilometers of their home. &nbsp;They grow their own food, collect firewood and fodder from the nearby forest, graze livestock in local fields, collect water from the local stream, and construct houses from timber and earth. &nbsp;In sum, they are natural resource-dependent in the strictest sense. &nbsp;To serve these communities and provide for their basic needs is to know how to sustainably make use of the natural resources around them. &nbsp;And to be truly faithful to God&rsquo;s mandate for us as Christians is to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan while also being a steward of God&rsquo;s creation.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Downtown.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 150px; height: 113px; \" />These environmental issues also extend to urban areas. &nbsp;Air pollution, tainted water supplies, heat island effects, and rapid desertification all plague urban communities. &nbsp;A sizeable piece of solving these problems is understanding urban watersheds, air quality, and land use planning. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	But ecology is only one piece of the puzzle. &nbsp;To steward well, one must understand the people that make up these places. &nbsp;If humans truly impact the Earth like our scientific analyses suggest, then students need to understand sociology, psychology, economics -- in sum, the <em>human</em>-ities.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}AAAF-farm-of-Carlos-&amp;-Lianet-150pxl.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 150px; height: 84px; \" />Perusing international programs at Christian colleges one quickly grasps that they understand the human side of the equation well. &nbsp;Programs are often housed within the Economics, Sociology, or Religious Studies Departments. &nbsp;In turn, most of these programs reflect the strengths and focus of the department they&rsquo;re housed within. &nbsp;But an international program is inherently interdisciplinary. &nbsp;Despite the diverse array of titles -- Intercultural Studies, International Studies, International Development Studies, Global Studies, Missions, just to name a few &ndash; you can approach each of these topics from any disciplinary angle. &nbsp;This is where Au Sable can play a role for these schools.</p>\n<p>\n	This year, when I visit colleges to meet with students and faculty about Au Sable courses, I make an added stop at the international programs department to talk with their faculty chair. &nbsp;These visits build relationships and encourage them to tell their students about seven Au Sable courses that would broaden and deepen their knowledge and training in international development. &nbsp;These courses are <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/may_term/#Tropical%20Agriculture\">Tropical Agriculture and Missions</a>, <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Global%20Development\">International Development and Environmental Sustainability</a>, <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_great_lakes/#Watershed%20Stewardship\">Watershed Stewardship</a>, <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Environmental%20Health\">Environmental Health</a>, <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Ecological%20Agriculture\">Ecological Agriculture</a>, <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/summer_session_i/#Land%20Resources\">Land Resources</a>, and <a href=\"http://ausable.org/courses/course_information/january_term/\">Ecology of the Indian Tropics</a>. &nbsp;Each course develops skill sets that students in international programs often are unable to receive at their home colleges.</p>\n<p>\n	Attending the Faith and International Development Conference again this year confirmed this need. &nbsp;Our two breakout sessions (on urban gardening and community forestry) filled up the room; professors talked about how important our courses were for their students; and students eagerly explored course options. &nbsp;The opportunity to make an impact on the education of future development practitioners is there.</p>\n<p>\n	Au Sable is not new to this work. &nbsp;It has been a leader in Missionary Earthkeeping since we held our &lsquo;Missionary Earthkeeping&rsquo; conference in 1985. &nbsp;We pioneered a course on &#39;Tropical Agriculture and Missions&#39; to focus on skill-building for agricultural development. &nbsp;We have a course devoted entirely to environmentally sustainable development. &nbsp;Our Watershed Stewardship professor leads Global Water Watch. &nbsp;It is my hope that Au Sable can offer courses that make international program&nbsp;curricula the truly interdisciplinary academic experience it can, and should, be.</p>\n','none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(328,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'John Brown University','none','twakefie@jbu.edu','none','','none','','none','<p>\n	Tim Wakefield teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Marine%20Biology\">Marine Biology</a> course at Pacific Rim Institute during Summer Session II. He received his B.S. degree from Union University, his M.A. degree from the University of Missouri, and his Ph.D. from Auburn University.&nbsp; He currently serves as professor of Biology at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR.</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Tim_Wakefield-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0026','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dr. Wakefield has worked on a variety of research projects including the symbiotic relationship between algae and cnidarians, Orca whale behavior, and freshwater stream ecology.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	Tim says, &ldquo;I love working for Au Sable because it gives me the opportunity to teach Marine Biology in the field.&nbsp; I love to spend time with students exploring low tide areas and introducing them to the huge varieties of life that can be found there.&rdquo;</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}Tim-Wakefield-CV.pdf\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(329,1,11,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'Dordt College','none','ronvos@dordt.edu','none','','none','(712) 722-6285','none','<p>\n	Ronald Vos teaches our <a href=\"/courses/course_information/summer_session_ii_pacific_rim/#Ecological%20Agriculture\">Ecological Agriculture</a> course at the Pacific Rim Institute during Summer Session II. He is professor of agriculture at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. His undergraduate major is biology and minor is in chemistry from Dordt College; his MA in environmental science from Governors State University; and his PhD in agronomy from South Dakota State University.</p>\n','none','{filedir_9}RonVos-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0027','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	His research interests focus on sustainable agriculture, including cropping systems to reduce nitrogen leaching, bioenergy and diversity in sustainable crop systems, and cover crops/green manures. In addition to North America, he has agricultural experience in Honduras, Hungary, Kenya, Russia, Ukraine, and Zambia.&nbsp; He and his wife also live on and operate a small farm where they raise sheep, alfalfa, corn, and soybeans.&nbsp; They also restored and now steward a large prairie on their land.</p>\n<p>\n	Ron says, &quot;I love to teach at Au Sable (and have done so regularly since 1999) because of the enthusiasm, interest, and interaction with students as we explore God&rsquo;s world!&quot;</p>\n<p>\n	<a href=\"{filedir_5}Ron-Vos-CurVit11.pdf\">Download Curriculum Vitae</a></p>\n','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(330,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Bob Barr reflects on Au Sable tradition... at the expense of Dave Mahan.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}dave-mahan.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 250px; height: 332px; \" />Poor Dave Mahan.&nbsp; The man came to Au Sable 26 years ago, a vital and vibrant young guy who enjoyed nothing more than celebrating his birthday with friends and family. &nbsp;But that was before Professor Chris Newhouse discovered that Dave&rsquo;s birthday occurred in January right in the middle of J-Term.&nbsp; Chris started by giving Dave tasteless birthday cards and tacky gifts.&nbsp; How can we forget the &ldquo;fish finder,&rdquo; a stethoscope with a small funnel on the end which was to be placed just below the surface of the water, or the wooden placque with the decoupaged photo of Dwight Eisenhower?&nbsp; Eventually, Chris escalated his efforts to include the students doing things like dressing in black and powdering their hair gray.&nbsp; The low point (or high depending upon your perspective) came when Dave made the mistake of sharing with Chris how he accidently shot a hole in the bumper of his father&rsquo;s truck on the opening day of hunting season.&nbsp; The fallout from that indiscretion resulted in small bullseyes being glued to every car bumper in the parking lot.&nbsp; So if you want to restore a small measure of joy to an old man on his birthday, do something nice for Dave on January 14<sup>th</sup>.</p>\n<div>\n	<hr />\n	<p>\n		Do <em>you</em> have a good Au Sable story to share? &nbsp;Write Dieter at dbouma@ausable.org to share your great story with the community in our &#39;Au Sable Stories&#39; feature.</p>\n</div>\n','none','{filedir_9}dave-mahan.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(332,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	The Au Sable Graduate Fellows congregate at the Great Lakes Campus this week for this year&#39;s Graduate Fellows Conference.</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}group_jumping-corrected-shrunk.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 300px; height: 213px; \" />The weekend is shaping up nicely for this year&#39;s Au Sable Graduate Fellows Conference. &nbsp;Snow has been fleeting -- and more often sleeting -- on campus this winter, but Thursday and Friday&#39;s forecasts hold out hope for a foot of snow to pave the way for solid amounts of skiing, sledding, and other winter delights. &nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	But while fun and games are always aplenty at Au Sable, this year&#39;s Graduate Fellows gathering will be a little different. &nbsp;With a few tweaks, we&#39;ve changed the format and feel, and if all goes accordingly, we&#39;ll have taken the annual gathering to the next level. &nbsp;Instead of the retreats of the past, this year&#39;s gathering is better called a conference. &nbsp;We&#39;ve invited Steven Bouma-Prediger, Hope College religion professor and author of <em>For the Beauty of the Earth</em>,&nbsp;to be a theologian-in-residence of sorts and lead the group through presentation and discussion on the theme of &quot;Earthkeeping as Homemaking.&quot; &nbsp;His talks are spurred by his latest book, <em>Beyond Homelessness</em>, and will delve into themes of place and home as it relates to stewardship. &nbsp;His two presentations on Saturday and one on Sunday include:</p>\n<ul>\n	<li>\n		Session 1: Where and who are we?:&nbsp; At Home with the Homemaking God</li>\n	<li>\n		Session 2:&nbsp; What or who holds the world together?:&nbsp; The Cosmic Lord is the Crucified Christ</li>\n	<li>\n		Session 3: &nbsp;&nbsp;What does God&#39;s good future look like?:&nbsp; A (Re)New(ed) Heaven on Earth</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n	We&#39;ve taken things to the next level in terms of attendance too. &nbsp;While past retreats have been well-attended, this year&#39;s conference will include 29 participants from five Graduate Fellows chapters. &nbsp;This level of participation has moved us from the comfy confines of the Pines to Au Sable&#39;s main campus, and from community-prepared meals to dining hall fare. &nbsp;The downside to more people is that we may need to rotate three teams for broomball so as not to crowd the ice. &nbsp;You can&#39;t win &#39;em all I guess....</p>\n<p>\n	There will also be healthy doses of outdoor activities, good conversation, and time for worship. &nbsp;For graduates students immersed in courses, teaching duties, and dissertation/thesis writing, escaping the pressures, demands, and priorities of graduate work to inhabit &quot;Au Sable&quot; time for a while is a nice respite.</p>\n<p>\n	As I said at the beginning, the weekend&#39;s shaping up nicely. &nbsp;</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}Group-Skiing-2011-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(333,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'{filedir_3}HP-Rotator-Sustainable_Development.jpg','xhtml','/courses/course_information/#Additional','none',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(334,1,9,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dr. Orin Gelderloos recounts his latest foray into South Indian ecosystems with fourteen Au Sable students, three Indian students from Bishop Heber College, and his long-time co-teachers, Dr. A. Relton and Ms. Daisy Caroline. &nbsp;</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<em>Article author Orin Gelderloos has taught &#39;Ecology of the Indian Tropics&#39; since its inception 17 years ago. &nbsp;He is Professor of Biology and Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Ecology of the Indian Tropics is offered on an annual basis typically from December 28 to January 18. &nbsp;For more information, visit our&nbsp;<a href=\"\">Student page</a>&nbsp;to read about our&nbsp;<a href=\"\">India campus</a>, the&nbsp;<a href=\"\">course description</a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"\">course logistics</a>.</em></p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Group-ghats.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" /></p>\n<p>\n	Learning about the ecology of &nbsp;tropical India in three weeks can be somewhat of a whirlwind, so it was fitting that the course opened with one. Upon landing in Chennai at midnight, a cyclone greeted students with high winds, thrashing trees, and six inches of rain on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Of course, it is &ldquo;illegal&rdquo; for rain to fall in the dry season, but that opening encounter with the weather was a prologue to the many surprises and eye-opening experiences that the 14 North American students from six colleges<sup>1</sup> in the USA encountered.</p>\n<p>\n	Housed in the International Hostel and sleep-deprived, we caught a couple of hours of rest before exploring the local streets fill with busy traffic (driving on the &ldquo;wrong side&rdquo; of the roads), small jewelry shops, ready-to-eat parotha stalls, motorcycle repair stands, and small Hindu temples in the city of Tiruchirappelli. &nbsp;Indian students joined our group at Bishop Heber College (our host college) along with our outstanding Indian leaders and faculty, Dr. A. Relton and Ms. Daisy Caroline, to orient us and reveal cultural insights we would otherwise miss on our own.</p>\n<p>\n	Without the keen eye-sight of Dr. Relton and Ms. Daisy, we would also miss much of the wildlife. Several locations in India, and especially the Western Ghat Mountains along the Arabian Sea, are home to so many endemic species that they are listed as some of the top &ldquo;hot spots&rdquo; of endemism in the world. &nbsp;Thus, while India&#39;s rural areas are known for its high levels of poverty, they possess an overwhelming wealth of ecological riches.</p>\n<p>\n	Our first set of study sites included a wildlife sanctuary where dozens of migratory species of birds spend winter as well as a grassland preserve where male, endangered black bucks display their fitness by prancing around small ovals called leks to entice the females to join their harem. <img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Boat-backwaters.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />On the Bay of Bengal beaches, a sky full of brahminy kites circled overhead as we observed an early-morning fish auction in a fishing village, which had been swept away by the great tsunami on December 26, 2004. &nbsp;We had sobering reflections as we pondered the impact of this astounding event that still affects the lives of thousands of people along the coast who lost family members.</p>\n<p>\n	In contrast to the habitats along the sea, the climb up 40 hairpin bends on our way up the Western Ghat Mountains afforded us the opportunity to analyze how the abiotic and biotic features of the environment changed. &nbsp;We ascended the mountains from thorn scrub forests through moist deciduous forest to evergreen forests and mountain top grasslands. Tea plantations, introduced by the British more than 100 years ago, cover most of the mountains leaving remnant and fragmented forests.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Elephants.jpg\" style=\"float: left; width: 200px; height: 154px; \" />As we stood in awe of the magnificent, huge buttressed trees of the evergreen forest, home of one-ton gaurs, elephants, nilgiri langurs, giant indian hornbills, and the endangered lion-tailed macaque, we had our somber moments, too. &nbsp;We considered the conflicts between humans and animals as habitats shrink, thinking especially of leopards and tigers that require large territories to live. &nbsp;The plight of the lion-tailed macaque provided an especially poignant experience because this totally arboreal primate is obligated to come down from tree tops to cross roadways and fields to reach the next piece of forest fragment and acquire its specialized fruit. &nbsp;These wonderful creatures, which travel in troops of 30-70, are now in danger of becoming habituated to feeding on roadway trash and human handouts.</p>\n<p>\n	As part of our cultural experiences, we attended the Watch Night Service from11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on New Year&rsquo;s Eve in St. Johns church and were feted at a dinner reception at the home of the Bishop of the local diocese of the Church of South India. &nbsp;The women students wore their saris and all of us were &ldquo;shawled&rdquo; with large silk pieces of colorful fabric.</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}kiddos.jpg\" style=\"width: 200px; height: 150px; \" />While conducting an ethnographic study of a village, we interacted with excited children in a small school and observed the social structure, remnants of the caste system, housing, food preparation, clothes washing, transportation, and use of plant material in the village. &nbsp;Comparisons with North American levels of material life styles were inevitable, but yet we were challenged to consider the level of happiness and fulfillment of the village people.</p>\n<p>\n	A three-week course in a culture far different from ours in North America leaves us with sensory overload, appreciative of the privilege to interact with so many gracious and helpful people, and humbled at the challenge of trying to understand the meaning and depth of the ecology and culture of Tamil Nadu.</p>\n<hr />\n<p>\n	<sup>1</sup>Bethel University, Calvin College, Gordon College, Goshen College, Messiah College, Southern Nazarene University, and Trinity Christian College</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}group-ghats-100pxl.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),(335,1,2,NULL,NULL,'<p>\n	Dieter sat down with Dorothy Boorse, ASI faculty representation at Gordon College, to talk about her latest publication, &quot;Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment,&quot; for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).</p>\n','none','<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}NAE-Loving-the-least-of-these.jpg\" style=\"float: right; width: 100px; height: 155px; \" />On December 13, 2011, the National Association of Evangelicals released a short publication called &quot;<a href=\"http://www.nae.net/lovingtheleastofthese\">Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment</a>.&quot; &nbsp;The publication draws connections between the ways human beings are altering environmental landscapes and processes, how those changes have impacted the most poor and vulnerable human populations on the planet, and our dual callings to be stewards and to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. &nbsp;In particular, the report highlights the looming threats of global climate change on the poorest people on the Earth.&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"{filedir_5}Dorothy-Boorse.jpg\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 143px; \" />Dorothy Boorse, Chair of the Gordon College Biology Department and long-time Au Sable faculty representative, served as lead author of &#39;Loving the Least of These.&#39; &nbsp;She sat down with Dieter Bouma (Au Sable&#39;s Communications, Development, and Recruitment Coordinator) for the&nbsp;following exchange about the publication and her thoughts on global change and the poor.</p>\n<p>\n	&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\n	<strong><em>What did you hope to accomplish through this report, and why was this the right time to release a document on this topic?</em></strong></p>\n<p>\n	DB: The NAE wanted to promote a greater conversation on the topic of climate change in part because Christians are often committed to care of the poor and may not see the connection to climate. &nbsp;So that was the big objective: to put a human face on climate change and make that connection. In addition, we wanted to get churches, schools, etc. talking more about it.</p>\n<p>\n	<br />\n	<strong><em>I was struck by how much you focused on the science and impacts of climate variability. &nbsp;One of the issues many people have identified as a barrier to addressing climate change is its complexity. &nbsp;Why did you think it was important to focus so extensively on the science, and was it challenging to convey these complex scientific findings without missing key details?</em></strong></p>\n<p>\n	DB: The report has four components: &nbsp;A theology of care of the poor and care of the environment, a background on climate, how environmental change especially climate changes affect poverty, and where we can go from here. &nbsp;We originally were going to focus most on the first and third of those ideas, but reviewers felt strongly that the report needed to include scientific background and a sense of what to do next. &nbsp;Obviously this could not cover all the science, but we could do three things: first, give the basic ideas of the science; second, directly address the controversy (why is it controversial for some people and how do you deal with controversies generally); and finally, what does scientific evidence suggest the likely outcomes will be.</p>\n<p>\n	Those are all topics I get asked about when I talk to non-scientists, so it seemed like there is a gap in people&rsquo;s background. &nbsp;Everyone who wrote, advised or reviewed on the report is a Christian. Tom Ackerman, a climate scientist, describes the connection of his faith and work. We wanted this to be a place where people could hear from voices they trust, and look at the science a little more than they might have already. We wanted a tough topic to be approachable.</p>\n<p>\n	<br />\n	<strong><em>From all your research on theology, environmental change, and poverty alleviation efforts, what was the one thing that stuck out to you?</em></strong></p>\n<p>\n	DB: Several things did. &nbsp;One was that it is easier to deal with the call to be compassionate when the needs are immediate, very clear, and solvable. It is harder when they are on-going, and there is no single clear solution.</p>\n<p>\n	Another was how convinced the relief and development community was that we need to be addressing environmental degradation if we are to keep people from falling into poverty even more.</p>\n<p>\n	Finally, I was struck by the fact that people in poverty are smart, are doing some really innovative things, and that this isn&rsquo;t just richer countries stepping in to solve problems for others. &nbsp;One thing I thought was fascinating was a discussion I read about crop failure insurance for very small farmers who live on tiny amounts of money. &nbsp;It would never have occurred to me that insurance would be the key to economic survival for farmers in that group, but it can be.</p>\n<p>\n	Okay, one more thing! &nbsp;I already knew it, but all of the reading highlighted that climate change intensifies other problems. It doesn&rsquo;t cause a lot that are unique. People want to do cost benefit analysis on adaptation and mitigation as if this problem is completely separate from all other poverty issues, but it isn&rsquo;t.</p>\n<p>\n	<br />\n	<strong><em>We often hear about ways the average person can play a role in climate change mitigation, yet even if we stopped excess greenhouse gas emissions today, climate change would march on for a number of decades still. &nbsp;This makes adaptation critical despite our mitigation efforts. &nbsp;What role can the average person play in adaptation?</em></strong></p>\n<p>\n	DB: We are going to need all our tools in the toolbox -- every type of mitigation and adaptation strategy, I think. &nbsp;Some really obvious ones are helping people get relief from the heat in heat waves. This might not be best done by increasing use of air conditioning, but certainly green roofs in cities and an approach to urban heat waves that wisely used central spaces for cooling in emergencies. In arid areas, collecting of water and improved more efficient irrigation is a no brainer.</p>\n<p>\n	We also ought to be helping people have greater resiliency to extreme events. &nbsp;There are a number of ways to do that. &nbsp;But this paper is an initial discussion in the evangelical community. We did not want to write a long list of potential actions. There are other venues for that.</p>\n<p>\n	<br />\n	<em><strong>You mention other venues for discussing mitigation and adaptation strategies. &nbsp;What resources would you point people towards to learn more about this?</strong></em></p>\n<p>\n	The best might be volumes in the National Academies of Sciences series &#39;<a href=\"http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/sample-page/\">America&#39;s Climate Choices</a>.&#39; &nbsp;One of their reports is on mitigation, called &#39;<a href=\"http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/sample-page/panel-reports/70-2/\">Limiting the Magnitude of Climate Change</a>,&#39; and another report is on adaptation called &#39;<a href=\"http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/sample-page/panel-reports/panel-on-adapting-to-the-impacts-of-climate-change/\">Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change</a>.&#39; &nbsp;The UN also has a nice informational report called &#39;<a href=\"http://www.global-mechanism.org/dynamic/documents/document_file/ccesinfokit_web-1.pdf\">The Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Information Kit</a>.&#39;</p>\n','none','{filedir_1}NAE-Loving-the-least-of-these_thumb.jpg','xhtml',NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'xhtml',NULL,'none',0,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none',NULL,'none'),