Progress 03/15/05 to 03/14/09
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project completed its stated goal and objectives. The project goal was to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Four teams of TAMU faculty members and graduate students collaborated with four teams of UANL faculty and graduate students; additional graduate and undergraduates benefited from participating in the collaborative research projects. Ongoing and future joint research projects are planned between the participants in this project. Also, new partnerships are being formed with private and non-profit organizations to further the projects started in this ISE project. PRODUCTS: Ten papers, posters, and technical reports were published through national and international venues as a result of this project. Two Master of Science theses and one Doctoral dissertation, a project Website, and several mini-grants were produced from the collaborative efforts of this project. OUTCOMES: The collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model developed in this project may serve other states (especially New Mexico, Arizona, and California) and regions of the world where neighboring countries have ecological and environmental issues that transcend their common borders. The research teams in this project demonstrated that much can be accomplished with minimal investments. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Field day demonstrations, producer and researcher workshops, seminars, newspaper and student magazine interviews, and multiple presentations at the university, national, and international level were conducted during this project. A complete project Web site is available at http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/index.htm FUTURE INITIATIVES: Efforts to secure funding for wildlife and natural resource conservation workshops and wildlife photography contests for middle school youth are planned. Additional collaboration in new research areas and projects are being initiated among the members of this project.
Impacts
TAMU and UANL faculty members and students a) gained greater awareness of land use practices on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border; b) helped landowners understand the relationship between agricultural practices and conservation of natural resources; c) studied community members beliefs about environmental issues, urbanization effects, and agricultural development issues; and d) gained first-hand experience in collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach projects. TAMU and UANL benefited from this project through increased awareness of environmental issues affecting agricultural practices in the Texas-Mexico border region, incorporation of the lessons learned into college classrooms, and increased appreciation for the research, teaching, and outreach capabilities on both sides of the border.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project is now completing its stated goal and objectives. The project goal was to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Individual mini-project progress indicators of success include: 1) Miles Phillips (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Cesar Espinosa (UANL) completed data analyses for their project, Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development. Phillips authored a published technical report, Wildlife Photography on Private Lands: A Market Study, which was produced by Texas AgriLife Communications and Marketing. The report is available online at http://agrilifebookstore.org/publications_details.cfmwhichpublicatio n=2571 2) Frances Gelwick (TAMU Wildlife Sciences) and Juan Antonio Vidales Contreras (UANL) completed an assessment of a recreational fishery in northeastern Mexico for their project, Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a Small Watershed from Northeast Mexico. The researchers held additional meetings to develop new research proposals and secured funding from the Save the Laja, Inc. 3) Cruz Torres (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL) completed data analyses for their project, Latino Knowledge and Attitudes toward Natural Resources and the Environment. Graduate student, Angelica Lopez, presented a portion of the projects results in a conference paper at the Wildlife Society Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The paper received the Wildlife Societys annual publication award. 4) Luis Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU Horticulture) and Juana Aranda (UANL) reported their results from oregano oil extract for their project, Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, Nuevo Leon e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales. Their results were accepted for a poster presentation, Antimicrobial effect of essential oils of oregano of the genres Poliomintha longiflora Gray and Lippia berlandieri, at the III International Congress on Food Science and Food biotechnology in Developing Countries, in Queretaro, Mexico. PRODUCTS: Phillips (TAMU): initiated USDA proposal development for continued project support. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): secured grant funds from the Save the Laja, Inc.; held proposal development meetings in Monterrey, Mexico. OUTCOMES: The primary project outcome of a collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model for U.S.-Mexico states facing region-specific environmental issues was strengthened through the research teams. All members are completing their projects to quantify environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Rio Grande Valley border region. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): population dynamics and biological characteristics of recreational fish were evaluated, compiled, and shared with reservoir biologists to help them develop a management plan to contend with exploitation of desirable fish species, deterioration of water quality, and undesirable exotic species. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A complete project Web site is available at http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/index.htm Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): continued project promotion through extension field seminars and workshops specific to agricultural diversification. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): seminars - Assessment of a Recreational Fishery in Northeastern Mexico. Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Junction, TX; Assessment of a Recreational Fishery in Northeastern Mexico (poster). Ninth Ecological Integration Symposium. College Station, TX; Assessment of a Recreational Fishery in Northeastern Mexico. La Facultad de Agronomia de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Seminar Series. San Nicholas, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): secure funding to promote wildlife and natural resource conservation to middle school youth through wildlife photography workshops and contests. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Graduate student, Arturo Vale III, plans to complete and defend MS thesis within six months and publish findings in a refereed journal; Gelwick and Contreras plan to have additional meetings for data analysis and research paper and proposal writing.
Impacts
Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Gained greater awareness of relationships between fish and land use practices, and growing awareness of contact with potential pathogenic bacteria, which could increase with the growing focus on tournament sport fishing in reservoirs in Mexico, as well as other recreational development activities around reservoirs. This is the focus of future proposals, which will include economic impacts and consequences as well. To accommodate the water needs of an increasing human population, new reservoirs and ponds will likely continue to be constructed throughout Mexico. The construction of such impoundments will also create new opportunities for recreational and commercial fishing. Evaluation of the population dynamics of common freshwater recreational species and the establishment of a database for empirical studies is crucial for management of these resources.
Publications
- Lopez, R. R., Lopez, A., Wilkins, R. N., Torres, C. C., Valdez, R. Teer, J. G., & Bowser, G. (2008). Changing Hispanic demographics: challenges in natural resource management. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 33(2), 553-564.
- Aranda, R. J., Cisneros, Z. L. & Puerta, G. A. (2008). Antimicrobial effect of essential oils of oregano of the genres Poliomintha longiflora Gray and Lippia berlandieri. III International Congress on Food Science and Food biotechnology in Developing Countries, in Queretaro, Mexico.
- Phillips, M., Hageman, J., Wingenbach, G. J., & Pina Jr., M. (2008). Wildlife photography on private lands: A market study (Sci. Rep. No. E-467). Texas AgriLife Communications and Marketing. College Station, Texas: AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M System.
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Progress 07/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project continues fulfilling its stated goal and objectives. The project goal is to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Individual mini-project progress includes: 1) Miles Phillips (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Cesar Espinosa (UANL) analyzed data for their project, Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development. The researchers found North American Nature Photography Association members and of a small number of unaffiliated photographers had paid for wildlife experiences on private land in Texas. 2) Frances Gelwick (TAMU Wildlife Sciences) and Juan
Antonio Vidales Contreras (UANL) conducted additional water trials in Marin, Mexico for their project, Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a Small Watershed from Northeast Mexico. The researchers secured additional project funding, and completed fish sample collections in Juventud reservoir, Mexico. 3) Cruz Torres (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL) collected data from a sample of 1,500 Mexican university students for their project, Latino Knowledge and Attitudes toward Natural Resources and the Environment. The researchers plan to administer additional surveys to 200 students in Mexico. 4) Luis Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU Horticulture) and Juana Aranda (UANL) conducted oregano oil extract analyses at Texas A&M University for their project, Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, Nuevo Leon e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales.
PRODUCTS: Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): completed a draft manuscript from preliminary research results. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): secured grant funds ($6,000) for Sobrevivencia in situ de MS2 y PRD1 en la Presa La Juventud, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. Cruz Torres (TAMU) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL): initiated data analyses; and have ongoing data collection in Mexican universities. Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU) and Juana Aranda (UANL): produced laboratory analyses from native oregano oil extracts to determine probabilities for the prevention of microbial infection.
OUTCOMES: The primary project outcome of a collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model for U.S.-Mexico states facing region-specific environmental issues is strengthened through the research teams. All members are completing their projects to quantify environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Rio Grande Valley border region. Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): Research results indicate that private landowners can provide wildlife experiences that photographers find highly satisfying. Results also indicate that the current market for fee-based wildlife photography is limited and dependent on key species, climate, and marketing by workshop leaders, Internet, and word-of-mouth advertising. Photographers seem less likely to pay a fee when it is perceived to support a business rather than a conservation effort, but do seem to accept paying fees when they believe the funds help wildlife conservation on the property. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Wrote a
funded proposal to TAMU-CONACYT for $25,000 to study Interactions between Fish and Microbes within Aquatic Systems and Their Effects on Ecosystem Services to Humans. Made two more collections of fishes to finish Arturo J. Vale thesis data collections. Cruz Torres (TAMU) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL): More than 280 students from eight schools in the Mexican states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas responded to the preliminary surveys. The mean age for respondents was 21, with a range of 18 to 38 years. Of the 285 respondents, 67% were female and 33% were male. Respondents areas of study were 47% business/managerial related fields, 34% engineering related fields, and 19% other fields.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A complete project Web site is available at http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/index.htm Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): continued project promotion through a program Web site, at extension field seminars, and workshops specific to agricultural diversification. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Arturo J. Vale gave an oral presentation January 18, 2008 at the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society Meeting in Junction, Texas. Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU) and Juana Aranda (UANL): participated in a newspaper interview for La Voz Hispana, available online at http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/docs/LaVoz.pdf
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): publish findings in refereed journals and produce extension fact sheets. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Identify potential pathogenic bacteria growing in fish as a result of the TAMU-CONACYT funds. Dr. Rolando Tijerina is supporting the project with microbiology personnel to help to isolate and identify bacteria grown in fish. Tijerina is donating $2,000 in addition to our TAMU-CONACYT funds to extract the bacterial DNA for 16 S rDNA identification.
Impacts
Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): Research results indicate that awareness of private land wildlife photography opportunities and benefits is low and the demand for such services is still largely unknown. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): New information on the role of fish in wetlands constructed to clean wastewater from city treatment plants in Marin, Nuevo Leon, Mexico helps city planners devise new systems. The effects of fish on artificial wetlands, when comparing two types of treatment systems (wetland and sub-surface water treatments) is yet to be fully understood; additional research is needed. Cruz Torres (TAMU) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL): Mexican university students worry as much about the future of the environment as they do about jobs today. Those same students were evenly split about their beliefs that society worries too much about human progress harming the environment. They were strongly opposed to the idea that media claims of environmental
threats were exaggerated. The vast majority of students considered themselves sympathetic to environmental causes, but not active environmentalists.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 06/30/07
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project continues fulfilling its stated goal and objectives. The project goal is to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Individual mini-project progress includes: 1) Miles Phillips (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Cesar Espinosa (UANL) completed data collection for the Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development; and, they are analyzing data and writing research papers. 2) Frances Gelwick (TAMU Wildlife Sciences) and Juan Antonio Vidales Contreras (UANL) conducted water sampling trials in Marin, Mexico for the Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a
Small Watershed from the Northeast of Mexico; submitted a grant to the UANL for additional funding; and, completed fish sample collections in Juventud reservoir, Mexico. 3) Cruz Torres (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL) completed translating survey instruments for the Latino Knowledge and Attitudes toward Natural Resources and the Environment; and, have begun collecting survey data from a sample of 1500 Mexican university students, representing 25,000 students in 11 universities. 4) Luis Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU Horticulture) and Juana Aranda (UANL) continued data analyses for the Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, Nuevo Leon e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales; conducted oregano oil extract analyses; and will present research results at scientific meetings in August. TAMU graduate students and faculty presented project evaluation results at an international research
conference in May (http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/outcomes.htm).
PRODUCTS: Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): Completed online surveys of photography enterprises/landowners in Texas, online surveys of photographers across the U.S.A., and in Mexico, paper surveys were completed by landowners. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Sample collection for total and fecal coliform bacteria as well as in situ readings for temperature, pH, conductivity and water dissolved oxygen concentration; completed In situ, MS2 and PRD1 coliphage survival study; Fish sample collection and laboratory determinations of size, weight, specie characterization and otolith extraction for fish ageing in the "Juventud" Reservoir; and submitted a grant proposal "Sobrevivencia in situ de MS2 y PRD1 en la Presa La Juventud." Cruz Torres (TAMU) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL): Administered attitudinal surveys to 1500 Mexican students; and data collection is ongoing. Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU) and Juana Aranda (UANL): collected oregano samples using satellite photos of the Picachos
Mountains in Higueras, Mexico; and extracted oil samples using drag water steam systems.
OUTCOMES: The primary project outcome of a collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model for U.S.-Mexico states facing region-specific environmental issues is being strengthened through the research teams. All teams are engaged in completing their projects to quantify environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Rio Grande Valley border region.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A complete project website is available at http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/index.htm. Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): The project has been promoted and described in our program web site, at extension field seminars and workshops specific to agricultural diversification, including a small group of agricultural producers that formed a cooperative association to develop wildlife photography enterprises. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Until this time, dissemination activities have not been conducted; however, data collection for diverse issues are been conducted opening the opportunity for diverse manuscript elaboration.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): Complete the survey results report and publish and extension fact sheet. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): Conduct field work in Marin, Nuevo Leon, Mexico from June 10, 2007 - June 19, 2007; Continue data analysis; Develop a fisheries management plan for La Juventud reservoir; Identify the impacts that land use practices and urban expansion have on the assemblage structure of stream and reservoir ichthyofaunal communities in the Rio Salado drainage system; and establish collaboration with Dr. Lourdes Lozano in the Biology School, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas de los Garza, N. L., Mexico to identify generic and taxonomic identification of native catfish.
Impacts
Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL): At this point the primary impact seems to be greater awareness of agricultural diversification options, increased partnerships among agricultural producers and an improved sense of the need for science based market information and customer satisfaction. Also there is an increased awareness of the need for new products & services that are needed to meet and create market demand. Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL): The deleterious effects of urbanization and agricultural development are common problems shared by countries around the world. Understanding the impacts of these processes in Mexico will help curb future problems and spur governmental and non-profit organizations into action. Furthermore, this study takes place in a relatively unexplored region as far as fisheries science is concerned. Any information acquired will be added to the empirical scientific database upon which fisheries management is founded.
Publications
- Gelwick, F., & Contreras, J. A. (2007). Survival of PRD1 and MS2 in a Lake from the Northeast of Mexico. Manuscript for publication in CIENCIAUANL, ISSN 1405-9177.
- Contreras, J. A. (2007). Introduccion a la Ingenieria Agricola Ambiental, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Program of Ingenieria Agricola Ambiental. Invited presentation.
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Progress 03/15/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project made strides toward fulfilling its stated goal and objectives. The project goal is to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Objectives four and five are in various stages of completion, while objectives six through eight are beginning to be realized through conference participation by ISE project participants. Miles Phillips (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Cesar Espinosa (UANL) collected data for the Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development. Frances Gelwick (TAMU Wildlife Sciences) and Juan Antonio Vidales Contreras (UANL) field-tested
equipment and completed water sampling trials in La Juventud, Mexico for the Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a Small Watershed from the Northeast of Mexico. Cruz Torres (TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences) and Humberto Ibarra (UANL) are translating survey instruments for the Latino Knowledge and Attitudes toward Natural Resources and the Environment. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos (TAMU Horticulture) and Juana Aranda (UANL) began data analyses for the Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, Nuevo Leon e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales. A TAMU doctoral student analyzed project evaluation components and submitted research conference proposals from the data collected.
PRODUCTS: Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL) produced the following products from their project, Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a Small Watershed from the Northeast of Mexico: 1) Completed construction, safety checks, and field tests of fully functional electro-fishing boat; 2) Collected water quality survey of main study sites in La Juventud reservoir; 3) Sampled fish assemblages in La Juventud reservoir; 4) Met with Dr. William Grant to discuss construction of reservoir ecosystem model; 5) Met with Dr. Carlos Gonzalez to discuss microbial ecology and feasibility of questions; and 6) Planned research manuscripts for submission in early 2007. Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL) produced the following products from their project, Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development: 1) Conducted an online survey of photography enterprises/landowners in Texas (Phase I) and online survey of photographers across North America (members of the North American Nature Photography
Association (NANPA) (Phase II), and in Mexico, a paper survey has been developed and landowners identified for surveying, to assess landowner interest in diversification into this type of operation; 2) Analysed all data collected; and 3) Wrote research manuscripts to be submitted to conferences in early 2007.
OUTCOMES: The primary project outcome, a collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model for U.S.-Mexico states facing region-specific environmental issues, is being strengthened through two satellite-video conferences that included all project administrators and participants. Research teams are engaged in projects to quantify environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Rio Grande Valley border region.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL) are: 1) planning to present preliminary research during TAMU Wildlife Sciences seminars in spring 2007; 2) discussing the USDA-ISE project with NRCS biologists in Laredo; and 3) procuring Spanish translations of workshop publications for use in Mexico. Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL) are: 1) disseminating project information through invitation to participate in the online survey to the targeted landowners and the NANPA membership of approximately 2400 members; and 2) have posted invitations to non-NANPA member photographers on the Internet.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL) are: 1) planning additional research trips to Marin, Nuevo Leon, Mexico during December, 2006, March, 2007, and summer 2006; 2) continue electro-fishing, water quality measurements, data collection from individual fish sampled (length, weight, age, growth, diet), and other ecological data will be collected on each research trip, and 3) enter data in Excel and initiate modification of STELLA Ecosystem model for Presa La Juventud. Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL) are: 1) planning to complete photo documentation of the enterprise sites in Texas in January 2007; and 2) complete all the surveys and produce research reports within six months (July 2007).
Impacts
Gelwick (TAMU) and Contreras (UANL) included the following impacts from their collaborative research project: 1) Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation Project is a unique study of fish assemblage and community in a highly productive aquatic system; 2) Project will provide fisheries data for best management practices of a recreationally used reservoir; 3) Project data will supplement scientific database in a region where fisheries management and conservation data is limited; 4) Project provides fisheries data for best management practices; 5) TAMU and UANL biologists attended the Laredo Riparian Restoration Workshop, sponsored by EPA, TCEQ, NRCS, to learn techniques and hands-on practice of restoration projects similar to Presa La Juventud, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; 6) Initiated interest in comparing species composition and genetics of catfish assemblage in Presa la Juventud and other reservoirs in Mexico; and 7) Collaboration initiated with UANL museum for genetics of
native catfish and archival of specimens from our research in UANL and Durango. Phillips (TAMU) and Espinosa (UANL) recorded impact from their Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development Project as an effort in assessment of very new enterprise options for agricultural landowners. The results will assist landowners in understanding this type of operation and the level of existing success. It will also help identify the informational needs and barriers to success for operators, providing agencies with data needed to create appropriate educational, research, and assistance programs in the future.
Publications
- Harder, A., Wingenbach, G. J., & Rosser, A. (2007). Going global: Developing research partnerships between Texas A&M University and the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Mexico. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Polson, MT.
- Harder, A., Long, J., Wingenbach, G. J., & Lindner, J. (2007). Lights, camera, action! Utilizing video and digital technologies to document program impacts. Poster session presented at the 23rd annual conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Polson, MT.
- Harder, A., Long, J., Wingenbach, G. J., & Lindner, J. (2007). Can you hear me now? The use of video conferencing in international research projects. Poster session presented at the 23rd annual conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Polson, MT.
- Harder, A., & Wingenbach, G. J. (2007). Incorporating international research experience into teaching: Applications from a Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon and Texas A&M University. Poster session presented at the 5th annual Hawaii international conference on education, Honolulu, HI.
- Lindner, J., Harder, A., Wingenbach, G. J., & Long, J. (2007). Enhancing faculty and graduate student competencies for international research and teaching: A case study of Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon and Texas A&M University, a Mexico and United States Collaborative. Poster session presented at the 23rd annual conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Polson, MT.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 06/30/06
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project continues to make progress toward fulfilling its stated goal and objectives. The project goal is to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). Objectives one through three have been completed; objectives four and five are in various stages of completion. TAMU and UANL faculty members communicate constantly, via e-mail and video conference, to further their four pilot research projects. Miles Phillips, TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences, and Cesar Espinosa, UANL, have begun collecting data for the Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development. Cruz Torres, TAMU
Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences, and Ramon G. Guajardo Quiroga, UANL, are testing survey instruments for the Latino Knowledge and Attitudes toward Natural Resources and the Environment. Frances Gelwick, TAMU Wildlife Sciences, and Juan Antonio Vidales Contreras, UANL, are collecting field trials data for the Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a Small Watershed from the Northeast of Mexico. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, TAMU Horticulture, and Juana Aranda, UANL, also began data collection and field trials for the study, Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, Nuevo Leon e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales. A TAMU doctoral student administered project evaluation components and is completing mid-project reports from the data collected.
PRODUCTS: A major product has been developed during this six-month reporting period. An Internet presence, http://www.ag-communicators.org/ise/index.htm, was developed to provide visibility and promotional benefits to this project. An important part of this Web presence is the inclusion of online evaluation and project reporting functions, through secured sites, available to all project participants. The project Web site is a dynamic, ongoing function that will be updated continually as project participants add their professional bios, and project reports and photos.
OUTCOMES: Initial frameworks for the primary project outcome, a collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model for U.S.-Mexico states facing region-specific environmental issues, has been established. Research teams are seeking solutions to environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Rio Grande Valley border region.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: TAMU faculty members and students participating in the collaborative pilot research studies being administered in this project have shared their project interactions with more than one dozen other TAMU faculty and numerous graduate students. For example, one faculty member stated: My graduate student is building a model for his ecosystems course taught by Dr. Bill Grant. The model is the basis for our collaborative bi-national project and he will be presenting the results this week in class and I will be there as well. I have been contacting multiple agencies (TAMU Extension Programs, EPA, TCEQ, USDA, USFWS, USGS) about adding (piggy backing) our project onto ongoing projects to get more data as context for our study. I have informal discussions and seminars with students and guest speakers.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: TAMU faculty member has stated to the project coordinators: We are also writing proposals for further work as a team for TAMU-CONACYT funds.
Impacts
Collaborative research, teaching, and outreach networks are being established between faculty members and graduate students from Texas A&M University and the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. These networks are producing interests for similar international collaboration between TAMU and Mexican faculty members who are not participating in this project. Graduate students are gaining first-hand experience in collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach from faculty members and peers in this project. Participants are learning about different cultural practices affecting agricultural production industries along the Texas-Mexico border region.
Publications
- Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora Gray) en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, N. L. e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales, Elaborado por Dra. Juana Aranda Ruiz, 26 Marzo 2006.
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Progress 03/15/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The ISE Curricula: Enhancing International Research and Teaching project is making excellent progress toward fulfilling its stated goal and objectives, despite enduring a change of PI during the first seven months planned activities. The project goal is to enhance the capabilities of faculty and students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) for conducting collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach activities by seeking solutions for environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region with the collaboration of faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). The first three objectives have been or are in a state of completion. TAMU faculty members met three times to establish their interest and participation in the project. Similarly, UANL faculty members met and agreed to project participation. The culmination of these meetings produced four TAMU and four UANL faculty investigator teams who
jointly developed their pilot projects for the Texas-Mexico border region. A two-day border workshop was sponsored, through project funds, wherein seven faculty members and five graduate students attended brainstorming and focus group discussions about environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the Texas-Mexico border region. The workshop included a tour of the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, to inspire workshop participants discussions about environmental issues. Workshop facilities, including connection through the Texas Trans-Video Network, were provided by the Weslaco Research & Extension Center and Texas A&M University. Four pilot project research proposals with accompanying budget justifications were produced from the two-day workshop. Miles Phillips, TAMU Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences, and Cesar Espinosa, UANL, propose Wildlife Photography Enterprise Development, with assistance from Jason Moore (TAMU) and Luis Augusto Baca Cavazos (UANL). Cruz Torres, TAMU
Recreation Park & Tourism Sciences, and Ramon G. Guajardo Quiroga, UANL, propose Latino Knowledge and Attitudes toward Natural Resources and the Environment, with assistance from Angelica Lopez (TAMU) and TBD (UANL). Frances Gelwick, TAMU Wildlife Sciences, and Juan Antonio Vidales Contreras, UANL, propose Microbial Diffuse Pollution Evaluation in a Small Watershed from the Northeast of Mexico, with assistance from Arturo Vale and Natalie Ibarra (TAMU) and TBD (UANL). Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, TAMU Horticulture, and Juana Aranda, UANL, propose Evaluacion de la Produccion de Oregano en Dos Localidades en el Municipio de Higueras, Nuevo Leon e Identificacion de la Capacidad Productora de Aceites Esenciales, with assistance from TBD (TAMU) and Myrna Guadalupe Delgado (UANL). The original proposal sought to include eight TAMU faculty and graduate students, but unexpected increases in travel costs prohibited participation beyond four teams. The change in project PI delayed starting project
evaluation as originally proposed. However, a doctoral student assumed those duties and plans to incorporate the evaluation component from this project in her dissertation study.
PRODUCTS: The products resulting from project expenditures in this reporting period include a two-day collaborative environmental issues workshop, distribution of $2,500 per research project to four TAMU faculty members for research project expenses, travel stipends to graduate students for attending the two-day workshop and to conduct field studies, and minimal project evaluation expenses to develop participant surveys. Research project expenses include: culture media, anaerobic jars, antibiotics, ice tanks, chemicals, filters, digital cameras, camera lens, recordable CDs, photo blind materials and construction, surveys, postage, and translation services.
OUTCOMES: The primary project outcome will be a collaborative research, teaching, and outreach model that other states (New Mexico, Arizona, and California) can use to address similar border-region environmental issues affecting Mexico and her neighboring U.S. states. Likewise, the model developed in this project may serve other regions of the world where neighboring countries have ecological and environmental issues that transcend their common borders. The unique pairing of faculty members and students from TAMU and the UANL provides a rich international context, replete with cross-cultural implications, production functions similarities and differences, and opportunities in communications that the research teams will address while seeking solutions to environmental issues affecting agricultural production in the border region.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A project Web site is being developed to highlight all project participants, faculty- and student-produced lessons about international agricultural development projects, and new curricula with an international focus on collaborative research and teaching projects. As the four research projects near completion, research manuscripts will be co-authored by investigator teams for presentation and publication at college-wide symposia, Extension demonstrations and workshops, professional association conferences, and refereed journal publications.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Plans are being made by investigator teams to refine and further develop their four research projects, leading to multi-year, multi-agency investigations in each field of study. Investigator teams are searching for additional funding to augment their proposed pilot projects.
Impacts
Four collaborative research projects between Texas A&M University and the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon have been established. Field studies/data collection has been initiated. A strong collaborative network has been established between TAMU and UANL. This network has produced two other inquiries into working relationships between TAMU and UANL faculty members who are not a part of this project. Graduate students will gain first-hand experience in collaborative international research, teaching, and outreach from faculty members and peers in this project. Participants will learn about different cultural practices as well as broad studies in the agricultural arena.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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