Progress 09/01/08 to 01/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Drumbeats 6: We Will Live Well, Years 1 - 3 accomplished much and produced many outputs. An associate of science degree and 4 certificates were developed and implemented, including Veterinary Science (VTS) and High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) (both UA BOR approved in 2007), and Environmental Studies (ENVI) and Ethnobotany (EBOT) (both UA BOR approved in 2009). A total of 33 courses were developed over the span of the grant from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2011. Specifically, 6 in EBOT, 13 in VTS, 6 in ENVI, and 8 in HLRM. There have been a total of 6 certificate graduates, including, 4 in VTS, 1 in HLRM, and 1 in ENVI. There were 13 Associate of Science degree graduates during the grant period. EBOT offered summer field camps that provided intensive science instruction. USDA funding made it possible for the EBOT program to publish the book, Plants That We Eat, by Anore Jones. EBOT faculty collaborated with University of Hawaii Maui College faculty to develop a new course for AK exchange and Hawaiian students. ENVI offered two types of summer classes, salmon camp that provided intensive science instruction for high school students and an ENVI field methods course. A website was developed for the Drumbeats Consortium to provide information on the grant, the 4 certificate programs and their courses, as well as written and video reports. A mobile meat sciences lab was purchased by HLRM to provide educational outreach to the villages. A mobile processing trailer (lab/classroom) was also purchased by HLRM for on-site value-added meat processing instruction. The Drumbeats Consortium presented all 4 certificate programs at the Alaska Forum on the Environment in Anchorage, AK, and at the AAAS Arctic Science Conference in Dillingham, AK, as well as annual advertising in regional newspapers. The 4 certificate programs each conducted a number of dissemination activities over the course of the grant period, all of which have been captured within the annual progress reports. In summary, the programs promoted and disseminated information at high school career and science fairs, by hosting tables at various conventions, presenting at and hosting numerous conferences around the state, conducting PSAs and interviews on radio stations, submitting articles in newspapers and magazines, and visiting many local K-12 schools within their region to talk to students and promote the program as well as interest in science degrees in college. PARTICIPANTS: B. Joseph, PI, Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education; D. McLean, Co-PD, Bristol Bay Campus Director; E. Bruns, PD, USDA Grant Manager; C. Anderson, Co-PD, Interior-Aleutians Campus Director; M. Pete, Co-PD, Kuskokwim Campus Director; L. Saito, Co-PD, Former Chukchi Campus Director; L. Haugen, Co-PD, Northwest Campus Director; P. Harvey, Co-PD, Chukchi Campus Director; T. Radenbaugh, Environmental Studies Program Coordinator, Faculty; T. Marsik, Environmental Studies Faculty; S. Nolan, Veterinary Science Program Coordinator, Faculty; K. Jernigan, Ethnobotany Faculty; R. Meier, Ethnobotany Program Coordinator, Faculty; G. Finstad, High Latitude Range Management Faculty; H. Muhonen, High Latitude Range Management Meat Sciences Consultant; A. Ruerup, Veterinary Science Student Outreach Coordinator; T. Walters, High Latitude Range Management Program Coordinator; B. Hall, Community Engagement Specialist; M. L. Madden, Evaluator; University of Hawaii, Partner Organization; UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Consortium member, collaborating partner TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience served by the project included Alaska Native and other under-represented students. Efforts over the grant period included formal course instruction, laboratory intensives, practicum experiences, as well as development of curriculum and innovative teaching methodologies. Internships were required by both the Veterinary Science (VTS) program and the Environmental Studies (ENVI) program. Meat cutting workshops were provided by the High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) program. Experiential learning opportunities were provided by all 4 certificates. ENVI, HLRM, and the Ethnobotany (EBOT) program all required at least one field course for certificate completion. EBOT developed a student exchange agreement with the Windward Community College of the University of Hawaii. All programs have conducted K-12 outreach. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
An associate of science (AS) degree and four certificate (cert) programs were developed and approved by UA Board of Regents during the funding period Sept 1, 2008-Aug 31, 2011. According to UA Institutional Research, during this period there were 451 students (unduplicated) enrolled in the cert courses and 116 students enrolled in the Drumbeats programs. There were 6 cert graduates: 4 in VTS, 1 in HLRM, and 1 in ENVI. There were 13 AS degree graduates. 33 new courses were developed adding to campus offerings and increasing pathways for students into higher education goals they might not have otherwise had. ENVI students completed recertification for their Alaska State Water Quality Assurance Plan to ensure water quality standards for their local rural villages. VTS purchased innovative teaching materials to improve distance delivered science coursework, teaching methods and to keep pace with evolving technology in the veterinary field. HLRM developed a slaughtering protocol adapted to extreme cold weather which allows inspected slaughter in cold climate environments. HLRM workshops increased public awareness as evidenced by increased inquiries for inspected reindeer meat availability. HLRM established market value of wholesale and retail carcasses and cuts based on a completed market survey. ENVI partners, including agencies, organizations, and tribal entities from Alaska, provided 3 winter and 12 summer internships and other opportunities for ENVI students. Local hiring of ENVI students was promoted by discussions and meetings with numerous regional organizations and has resulted in strong regional support for the program. EBOT convened 2 EBOT Elder Council meetings where 25 Yup'ik Elders from SW AK shared traditional plant use knowledge for the bilingual Yup'ik Ethnobotany Manual. The EBOT program co-hosted the Western AK Interdisciplinary Science Conf in Bethel with over 100 attendees. A number of impacts resulted from the USDA grant funding over the 3 year period. Rural residents are acquiring the skills needed to gain employment opportunities which leads to strengthened communities in terms of increased self-sufficiency, self-reliance, food security and improved animal health care. Rural residents consider careers in USDA sciences for themselves and/or their children. Students enrolled in USDA training, certificates and degrees gain knowledge in science and research skills that can be applied locally. Further, articulation with other UA programs makes it easy for students to continue on to complete higher degrees. Graduates of these academic programs qualify for many local jobs, particularly in the natural resource field, that are currently held by imported professionals. Regional employers now have a larger pool of local talent from which to hire, reducing recruitment, training and retention costs. Increase in the local skill-base improves quality of life in rural Alaska. Drumbeats Programs are helping develop more social cohesion within communities through promoting local jobs and talent. These certificate programs are high need occupations in Alaska with projected employment growth of 16.4% for students with an Associate's Degree.
Publications
- Radenbaugh, T. and S. Wingert. 2011. Chapter 4.7: Values of Nushagak Bay: Past, Present, and Future. In: North by 2020: Alaskan Perspectives on Changing Circumpolar Systems A. L.Lovecraft and H. Eicken (eds). University of Alaska Press.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2011. Benthic Zones of Nushagak Bay. Proceeding of Arctic Division American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dillingham, AK , September 21-24, 2011.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2011. Drumbeats Environmental Studies Certificate: Healthy Ecosystems and Sustainable Energy for Rural Alaska.. Proceeding of Arctic Division American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dillingham, AK, September 21-24, 2011.
- Dunaway, D. and T. A. Radenbaugh. 2011. Calorie Counting of Nushagak Bay Estuarine Animals on Southwest Alaska. Proceeding of Arctic Division American Association for the Advancement of Science Dillingham, Alaska, September 21-24, 2011.
- Finstad, G.L. 2011. Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Education on the Fly in Rural Alaska. Abstract. Proceedings of the Arctic Science Conference, Arctic Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dillingham, Alaska. Sept.21-24, 2011.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
It has been another successful year for Drumbeats: We Will Live Well, Year 3. Two new ENVI certificate courses were developed and piloted, and one EBOT certificate course was piloted in fall 2010. As with the entire Drumbeats program curriculum, these new courses were developed with a distance delivery model, unique to the rural setting in Alaska. The Veterinary Science (VTS) certificate program had 1 graduate. The ENVI program had 1 graduate. In addition, 6 students earned their AS degree during the academic year, which is an increase from the previous year. This new AS degree program is benefiting students across the University system. The four certificate programs combined have had a total of 209 funded students enrolled in courses over the past academic year. Specifically, financial assistance was provided for 10 VTS students, 11 HLRM students, 5 EBOT students, and 183 ENVI students (47 ENVI students took semester long courses, 12 took 2-credit courses and 124 took 1-credit courses). These numbers will increase by the end of the grant year given that two programs will offer summer courses. EBOT will hold two EBOT summer field camps of which 10 students have already enrolled in the courses and registration is still open. ENVI will hold one field methods course (August 2011). The Drumbeats Consortium has continued to coordinate and host the quarterly ANSI audio conference. During this academic year the audio conference has expanded to include our colleagues from Hawaii so that both states have a forum for learning of federal updates and opportunities relevant to them. The Drumbeats Consortium had a promotional booth at the annual Elder and Youth conference in Fairbanks, AK, in October, 2010. The booth provided participants with information about the 4 certificate programs and promotional items were distributed. Newspaper ads ran in 5 regional newspapers promoting the 4 certificates. The Drumbeats Consortium also presented the 4 certificate programs at the Alaska Forum on the Environment, in Anchorage, February 2011. PRODUCTS: During the academic year 2010/2011, the Environmental Studies (ENVI) certificate program piloted two courses and the Ethnobotany (EBOT) certificate program piloted one course. The ENVI program had one course approved as a UAF catalog course. The High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) certificate program developed recipes and supporting photographs in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Department Kapi'olani Community College, University of Hawaii, for integration into a recipe book. HLRM developed a draft Hazard Analysis & Critical Points (HACCP) and operational plan. HLRM developed draft teaching modules for conducting USDA (or state) approved slaughter and value-added meat processing. A mobile processing van (lab/classroom) was specifically designed and purchased for the HLRM program to be used in conjunction with the mobile slaughter unit for teaching value-added meat processing. The ENVI certificate program had two graduates during the AY10/11. The VTS certificate program had one graduate in Spring 2011 making the total number of VTS graduates to date, four. The VTS Garden Project will take place summer 2011 in the community of Fort Yukon with community partners and youth involvement. Six students earned their AS degree during the academic year. ENVI published its Fall 2010 and Winter 2011 newsletters (http://www.uaf.edu/bbesl/newsletters). OUTCOMES: During the funding period of September 1, 2010 - present, there have been 209 funded students enrolled in the USDA certificate courses. The EBOT certificate program will offer two summer courses in June and July, which will increase that number by up to 20 additional students (up to 10 students per course) and ENVI will add an additional 6-10 in its ENVI 260 field course in August. During the academic year 2010/11, five students enrolled in the Ethnobotany program. Five students enrolled in the Environmental Studies program. Nine students enrolled in the HLRM program. Three new courses were developed and piloted and one course was added to the UAF catalog. These new courses increase pathways for students into higher education goals they might not otherwise have had. HLRM developed a slaughtering protocol adapted to extreme cold weather which allows inspected slaughter in cold climate environments. HLRM workshops increased public awareness as evidenced by increased inquiries for inspected reindeer meat availability. HLRM established market value of wholesale and retail carcasses and cuts based on a completed market survey. ENVI partners, including agencies, organizations, and tribal entities from Alaska, provide 3 winter and 12 summer internships and other opportunities for ENVI students. Local hiring of ENVI students is promoted by discussions and meetings with numerous regional organizations and has resulted in strong regional support of the certificate program. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The Drumbeats Consortium had the opportunity to present all 4 certificate programs to the Alaska Forum on the Environment, in Anchorage, February 7-11, 2011. The Environmental Studies (ENVI) Program conducted twenty (20) presentations at conferences and workshops including the Alaska Forum on the Environment, Southwest Alaska Interagency Meeting, Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, and Wood Energy Conference. ENVI conducted 3 faculty directed student presentations. ENVI had a booth at two conferences and one career fair and posters at four conferences. Information about the ENVI program appeared in 6 news articles. Dissemination about ENVI also occurred through updates in the related Bristol Bay Environmental Science newsletters for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011. The Veterinary Science (VTS) Program conducted 6 outreach trips to the following communities: Fort Yukon, Kotzebue, Minto, Huslia, Unalaska, King Cove. VTS hosted the American Indian Science and Engineering Science (AISES) Fair at Interior-Aleutians Campus. VTS presented with the Drumbeats programs at the Alaska Forum on the Environment in Anchorage, AK. VTS posted an announcement on the Doyon Foundation blog website regarding VTS program opportunities. VTS had an informational table to promote VTS at the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Annual Convention. VTS sent program information, brochures, fliers and applications to school counselors in Galena, Unalaska, and the Yukon-Koyukuk School District. VTS presented at the Western Interdisciplinary Science Conference in Bethel, AK. VTS presented at the Chancellor's Advisory Council on Native Education about the VTS program. VTS submitted program information to the Tanana Chiefs Conference Editor in Chief for the June 2011 newsletter. VTS presented to the Tok leadership group of youth at Interior-Aleutians Campus. VTS will present Drumbeats programs to the AGEYA Youth Camp in Homer, AK in June 2011. VTS will host an Advisory Council and Future Partners Gathering and Focus Group in July 2011. The Ethnobotany (EBOT) Program presented at the Girls in Science Workshop at the Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, AK. EBOT conducted a brown bag lunch presentation at the Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel. EBOT aired two radio spots on stations KYUK and KOTZ. EBOT presented at the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference in Bethel, AK. EBOT conducted hands-on activities with the Girl Scouts such as basket weaving while discussing what ethnobotany is and how it is used in their daily lives. EBOT presented at the Alaska Forum on the Environment in Anchorage, AK. The High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) Program conducted 3 meat-cutting workshops in Nome, Stebbins, and Savoonga. HLRM also conducted a promotional and recruitment workshop in Savoonga. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to promote the certificates/AS degree across the CRCD region. Make some of our certificate courses dual-credit for high school students to increase accessibility to our programs. Develop partnerships with outside agencies to collaborate on future projects and increase visibility of our programs. Increase collaboration with Hawaiian programming to provide relevant student exchanges, and to produce a Joint Impact Report. HLRM plans to employ other uses for reindeer by-products such as reindeer handicrafts and traditional crafts. VTS plans to continue their successful Elder Mentor project which has received great community feedback. ENVI plans to develop an Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy. EBOT plans to develop an ethnobotanical herbarium and garden.
Impacts
1) Rural residents are earning certificates and degrees that lead to much needed employment opportunities and stronger communities in terms of increased self-sufficiency, self-reliance, food security and better animal health care. 2) Rural residents consider careers in USDA sciences for themselves and/or their children. 3) Students enrolled in USDA training, certificates and degrees gain knowledge in science and research skills that can be applied to local situations. 4) Students completing USDA certificates can continue on to complete an associate or higher degree. 5) Program completers can seek employment with local agencies and/or develop small businesses based on their skills and knowledge. 6) Graduates of these academic programs qualify for many local jobs, particularly in the natural resource management field, that are currently held by imported professionals. 7) Employers, such as resource management agencies, now have a larger pool of local talent from which to hire, reducing recruitment, training and retention costs. 8) Increase in the local skill-base improves quality of life in rural Alaska. 9) Drumbeats Programs are helping develop more social cohesion within communities through promoting local jobs and talent. 10) These certificate programs are high need occupations in Alaska with projected employment growth of 16.4% for students with an Associate's Degree. (http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/careerladder/cl/19-4091.htm)
Publications
- Capell, L. 2011. The Nushagak Isopod Derby: Calling Attention to Science Education. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Bethel, AK. March 22-25, 2011. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/waisc
- Chambers, C. and Marsik, T. 2011. Passive Office, poster presentation. Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK. February 7-11, 2011. http://www.akforum.com/agenda.htm
- Chambers, C. and Marsik, T. 2011. Sustainable Energy Education in Alaska. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC), Bethel, AK. March 22-25, 2011. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/waisc/
- Chambers, C. and Marsik, T. 2011. Sustainable Energy Education in Alaska. Wood Energy Conference (WAISC), Fairbanks, AK. March 22-25, 2011. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/waisc/
- Dunaway, D. 2011. Calorie Content of Abundant Species in the Nushagak Bay Esturary. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Bethel, AK. March 22-25, 2011. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/waisc/
- Marsik, T. 2011. Sustainable Energy Education in Alaska. Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK.
- Marsik, T. 2011. Sustainable Energy Initiative at UAF BBC. Southwest Alaska Interagency Meeting (SWIM), Dillingham, AK.
- Marsik, T. and Johnson, R. 2010. Model for Estimation of Traffic Pollutant Levels in Northern Communities. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, vol. 60, pp. 1335-1340
- Radenbaugh T.A and S. Peterson. 2010 Benthic Faunal Zones of Nushagak Bay Arctic AAAS, Juneau, September 13-15, 2010.
- Radenbaugh T.A. 2011. Exciting High School Students in Science. Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK, February 7-11, 2011. http://www.akforum.com/agenda.htm
- Radenbaugh, T.A. 2011. Experiences Needed for Students to Become Environmental Leaders. Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK ,February 7-11, 2011 http://www.akforum.com/agenda.htm
- Radenbaugh, T.A. 2011. Nushagak Bay: Faunal Distribution and Habitats. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Bethel, AK. March 22-25, 2011. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/waisc/
- Radenbaugh, T.A. 2011: Salmon Camp: Teaching Natural History to High School Students in Southwestern Alaska. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference and Forum. Bethel, Alaska, March 22-25, 2011. http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/waisc/
- Radenbaugh, T.A. and D. Dunaway 2011. Calories of Nushagak Bay: Energy Content of Abundant Species in the Nushagak Bay Estuary of Southwestern Alaska. Southwestern Alaska Interagency Meeting, Dillingham, Feb 22-23, 2011.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2011. Community Science and Outreach in Rural Alaska. EPSCoR All-Hands Meeting, Fairbanks, AK. May 23-24, 2011.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2011. Environmental Studies: A Certificate Program for Rural Alaska. Alaska Forum on the Environment Anchorage, AK ,February 7-11, 2011 http://www.akforum.com/agenda.htm
- Radenbaugh, T.A. Benthic Faunal Zones of Nushagak Bay, Alaska Marine Science Symposium. January, 13-15th 2011http://www.alaskamarinescience.org/agenda.html
- Student Publications McLean-Rose, M. 2011. Database Management for Field Data. Climate Change Seminar, Dillingham, AK. 18 May, 2011.
- Seybert, K., Dillingham Deadwood Survey My experiences as an Environmental Studies intern. Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK, Feb 7-11, 2011.
- Seybert, K., Radenbaugh, T., Dunaway, D., Mariano, P. Dillingham Deadwood Survey. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Bethel, AK. March 22-25, 2011.
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
It has been a successful year for Drumbeats: We Will Live Well, Year 2. The Environmental Studies (ENVI) and Ethnobotany (EBOT) certificate programs both received final approval by UA Board of Regents in September 2009 and were accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Eight new ENVI certificate courses were developed and piloted, and one EBOT certificate course is being developed and expected to pilot in fall 2010. As with the entire Drumbeats program curriculum, these new courses were developed with a distance delivery model, unique to the rural setting in Alaska. The Veterinary Science (VTS) certificate program had 2 graduates. The High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) certificate program had its first graduate. The ENVI program had its first 2 graduates. In addition, 4 students earned their AS degree during the academic year, which is an increase from the previous year. This new AS degree program is benefitting students across the University system. The four certificate programs combined have had a total of 158 funded students enrolled in courses over the past academic year. Specifically, financial assistance was provided for 18 VTS students, 5 HLRM students, 120 ENVI students (of which 18 took semester long courses and 102 took 1-credit courses), and 15 EBOT students. These numbers will increase by the end of the grant year given that the EBOT program will hold an EBOT summer field camp and 9 students have already enrolled in the course. The Drumbeats Consortium Advisory Council met in Anchorage, AK in February 2010 and its discussion revolved around how to continue to incorporate Native Ways of Knowing into the curriculum, as well as updates on prior grant year accomplishments, program highlights and a budget report. The Drumbeats Consortium has continued to coordinate and host the quarterly ANSI audio conference so that all ANSIs learn of federal updates and opportunities relevant to them. The Drumbeats Consortium had a presence at the annual Elder and Youth conference in Anchorage, AK, in October, 2009. The promotional booth provided participants with information about the 4 certificate programs and promotional items were distributed. Newspaper ads ran in 5 regional newspapers promoting the 4 certificates. PRODUCTS: Two certificates were added to course catalogue offerings with the final approval of ENVI and EBOT. Eight new ENVI courses were developed and piloted and one new EBOT course is being developed and will be piloted in fall 2010. A summer Ethnobotany field camp will be offered by Kuskokwim campus to provide intensive science instruction and 9 students are currently enrolled. The High Latitude Range Management certificate program had its first graduate in 2010. The newly approved ENVI certificate program had its first two graduates. The VTS program had 2 graduates. Four students earned their AS degree during the academic year. OUTCOMES: The Environmental Studies and Ethnobotany certificate programs received final approval by UA Board of Regents in September 2009. During the funding period of September 1, 2009 - present, there have been 158 funded students enrolled in the USDA certificate courses. The EBOT certificate program will offer a summer course, which will add to that number. Two students enrolled in the newly approved Ethnobotany program with an additional 2 students showing interest in doing so. Twenty-six students have enrolled in the newly approved Environmental Studies program. The VTS program had 15 additional students enroll in the program during the academic year. All other students were previously admitted or had taken one class with no intent to apply for admission. Eight new courses were developed and piloted and another is being developed and expected to pilot in fall 2010. These new courses increase pathways for students into higher education goals they might not otherwise have had. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Environmental Studies (ENVI) Program presented ENVI related papers at 4 conferences including 6 faculty directed student presentations. ENVI also had booths/posters at Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference, Alaska Forum on the Environment, and the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference. Information about the program appeared in 6 newspaper articles, three magazine issues, and via radio news stories in fall 2009 and spring 2010. ENVI also had booths at career fairs in Chignik Bay and Dillingham. Dissemination about ENVI also occurred through updates on the related Bristol Bay Environmental Science Laboratory's webpage and newsletters. Veterinary Science (VTS) Program gave two informational talks at the Effie Kokrine Charter School to promote VTS and science degrees to interested high school students. During face-to-face intensives for other programs at the Interior-Aleutians Campus, VTS also gave short informational talks to promote the program and recruit new students. VTS also presented the program to high school students during the Rural High Schools Science Fair. Ethnobotany (EBOT) Program presented at the Alaska Botany Forum at UAA in Anchorage and at the AISES/ANSEP meeting at UAF in Fairbanks. EBOT also presented and distributed program brochures at the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference in Unalaska, AK. EBOT had a presence at both the Interior-Aleutians Campus Science Fair in Fairbanks, and the Girls in Science Workshop in Bethel, AK. EBOT also distributed EBOT 100 Field Course flyers and program brochures at the UAF main campus, Kuskokwim Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Northwest Campus, Chukchi Campus, Mt. Edgecumbe School and UAA Native Student Services Department to advertise the summer course and the newly approved certificate program. High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) Program provided a meat cutting demo and subsequent HLRM recruitment in both Savoonga and Nome. HLRM presented at the Reindeer Herders Association meeting in Nome. HLRM conducted recruiting efforts at 5 regional school career fairs and presented the program to Nome Elementary School students. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to promote the certificates/AS degree across the CRCD region. Make some of our certificate courses dual-credit for high school students to increase accessibility to our programs. Develop partnerships with outside agencies to collaborate on future projects and increase visibility of our programs. Increase collaboration with Hawaiian programming to provide relevant student exchanges, and to produce an annual Joint Impact Report. Extend invitation to other ANSIs to join the UAF Drumbeats Consortium.
Impacts
1) Rural residents are earning certificates and degrees that lead to much needed employment opportunities and stronger communities in terms of increased self-sufficiency, self-reliance, food security and better animal health care. 2) Rural residents consider careers in USDA sciences for themselves and/or their children. 3) Students enrolled in USDA training, certificates and degrees gain knowledge in science and research skills that can be applied to local situations. 4) Students completing USDA certificates can continue on to complete an associate or higher degree. 5) Program completers can seek employment with local agencies and/or develop small businesses based on their skills and knowledge. 6) Graduates of these academic programs qualify for many local jobs, particularly in the natural resource management field, that are currently held by imported professionals. 7) Employers, such as resource management agencies, now have a larger pool of local talent from which to hire, reducing recruitment, training and retention costs. 8) Increase in the local skill-base improves quality of life in rural Alaska. 9) Drumbeats Programs are helping develop more social cohesion within communities through promoting local jobs and talent.
Publications
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2010. Scoping and Public Participation. Session: Tools for Tribal Governments and Communities to be Involved in Agency Decision Making Related to Alaska Resource Extraction Projects. Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK.
- Radenbaugh, T.A. 2010. Doing Environmental Science in Rural Alaska. American Association for the Advancement of Science, Arctic Division, Juneau, AK.
- Marsik, T. 2010. Economics of Energy Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy. SWAMC Energy Workshop, Anchorage, AK.
- Marsik, T. 2010. Economics of Energy Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Unalaska, AK.
- Marsik, T. 2010. Economics of Energy Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy. Alaska Rural Energy Conference, Fairbanks, AK.
- Christensen, J. 2010. Mussel Beds of Meshik Bay, Alaska. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Unalaska, AK.
- Reamey, J. 2010. Diversity of Benthic Species in Meshik Bay, Alaska. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Unalaska, AK.
- Hemshoot, A., Noonkesser, B., and Wright, C. 2010. Monitoring Climate Change through Vegetation Data. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Unalaska, AK.
- Nelson, S. 2010. Economics of a Photovoltaic System in Dillingham. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Unalaska, AK.
- Jones, Anore. 2010. Plants That We Eat. Published by UA Press.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2010. Temperature Tolerance of the Isopod Mesidotea Entomon. Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, Unalaska, AK.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. and Dunaway, D. 2010. Preliminary Steps in Developing a Food Web Profile for Nushagak Bay. Southwest Alaska Interagency Meeting (SWIM), Dillingham, AK.
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
This year has been very productive and successful for Drumbeats: We Will Live Well. Our two proposed certificates (Environmental Studies and Ethnobotany) have both made it through the critical phase of approval at the Faculty Senate level and are on their way to the UA Board of Regents for final approval expected by fall 2009. A total of 12 new courses were developed and approved: 3 in Ethnobotany (EBOT), 4 in Veterinary Science (VTS), and 5 in Environmental Studies (ENVI). As with the entire Drumbeats program curriculum, these new courses were developed with a distance delivery model, unique to the rural setting in Alaska. The VTS certificate program had its first graduate as of May 2009. The same student is on track to complete all requirements for the Associate of Science (AS) degree and expects to apply for summer 2009 graduation. A second VTS certificate student was expected to graduate in May but was severely impacted by the Yukon River flooding and was unable to complete the practicum to graduate. In addition, 3 students from outside the Drumbeats programs earned their AS degree in spring 2009. This new degree program has benefited students across the University system. The four certificate programs combined have had a total of 94 funded students enrolled in courses over the past academic year. Specifically, financial assistance was provided for 21 VTS students, 10 High Latitude Range Management (HLRM) students, 50 ENVI students, and 13 EBOT students. In addition, the EBOT program will hold an EBOT field camp over the summer and up to 12 students are expected to enroll in the course. The Drumbeats Consortium Advisory Council met in Kotzebue, AK in April 2009 and discussion revolved around ways to increase accessibility to and visibility of our programs. The Drumbeats Consortium has coordinated and implemented a quarterly meeting for all ANSIs via audio conference. The purpose of the meeting is to learn of federal updates and opportunities relevant to all ANSIs, as well as opening the line of communication among ANSIs. These meetings have been beneficial, informative, and have provided an arena for increased dialogue among ANSIs. The Drumbeats Consortium has streamlined the process for data collection which in turn has made required reporting more efficient. Specifically, data sheets have been developed for each of the programs specific to their set of grant objectives. A website dedicated to the Consortium has been developed to serve as a central document repository. The website also acts as another dissemination tool and allows programs to increase shared access to course curriculum, student data, promotional materials, meeting agendas/minutes, and other relevant information. New marketing materials were distributed to each of the rural campuses as well as at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage, AK. Newspaper ads ran in 6 regional newspapers showcasing the 4 certificates. Framed posters highlighting each of the programs now line the walls of the rural campuses, thereby promoting all of our certificates to increase cross-regional recruitment. PRODUCTS: Twelve new courses were developed: 3 in Ethnobotany, 4 in Veterinary Science, and 5 in Environmental Studies. A summer Ethnobotany field camp will be offered by Kuskokwim campus to provide intensive science instruction for up to 12 students. An Environmental Studies salmon camp and internships will be offered by Bristol Bay Campus this summer. A website was developed for the Drumbeats Consortium to provide a central document repository. The Veterinary Science certificate program had its first graduate in May 2009. Three students from outside the Drumbeats programs earned their AS degree in spring 2009. A mobile meat sciences lab was purchased by HLRM to provide educational outreach to the villages. OUTCOMES: The Environmental Studies and Ethnobotany certificate programs are under the review/approval process and are expected to receive final approval by fall 2009. During the funding period of September 1, 2008 - present, there have been 94 funded students enrolled in the USDA certificate courses. The EBOT and ENVI certificate programs will offer summer courses, which will add to that number. Of the two approved certificate programs, there was 1 new student admitted to HLRM and 4 new students admitted to VTS during the funding period. All other students were previously admitted or had taken one class with no intent to apply for admission. New courses were developed, adding 12 courses to campus offerings and increasing pathways for students into higher education goals they might not have otherwise had. Eight ENVI students completed recertification for their Alaska State Water Quality Assurance Plan (QAPP) to ensure water quality standards for their local rural villages. VTS purchased innovative teaching materials to improve distance delivered science coursework, teaching methods and to keep pace with evolving technology in the veterinary field. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Environmental Studies (ENVI) Program had a table set up at Career and Academic Fairs in four local villages, presented the program to high school students in four local village schools, conducted Public Service Announcements and advertising on local radio stations which resulted in 4 new students, sent posters and brochures by mail to 10 local village councils, sent recruiting packets to 8 schools in the Bristol Bay region, and offered placement testing in local communities for interested students. Veterinary Science (VTS) Program made several visits to the Effie Kokrine Charter school to promote the program and interest in science degrees in college, attended the Hutchison High School career fair to speak to students and promote program, had a table set up at Tanana Chiefs Conference meeting, attended a meeting of the State Board of Veterinary Examiners to promote the program's work, and conducted a community presentation on VTS in Kotzebue, AK. Ethnobotany (EBOT) Program held an EBOT workshop in Grayling, AK, and faculty presented a paper at the 60th annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico entitled: Ethnobotany Serving Local Needs: Creating a Certificate Program at the Kuskokwim Campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Northwest Campus hosted the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference which focused on special interest topics such as fisheries, distance education, reindeer herding, climate change and rural energy and involved 100 participants from academic, governmental, tribal and natural resource agencies in Alaska as well as Wisconsin and North Carolina. Northwest Campus also cosponsored the Reindeer Herders Association meetings to provide an annual forum for ongoing discussions, disseminating current research findings, and planning new research in reindeer herd and high latitude range management. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to promote the certificates/AS degree across the CRCD region. Make some of our certificate courses dual-credit for high school students to increase accessibility to our programs. Develop partnerships with outside agencies to collaborate on future projects and increase visibility of our programs. Increase collaboration with Hawaiian programming to provide relevant student exchanges, and to produce an annual Joint Impact Report.
Impacts
1) Rural residents are earning degrees that lead to much needed employment opportunities and stronger communities in terms of increased self-sufficiency, self-reliance, food security and better animal health care. 2) Rural residents consider careers in USDA sciences for themselves and/or their children. 3) Students enrolled in USDA training, certificates and degrees gain knowledge in science and research skills that can be applied to local situations. 4) Students completing USDA certificates can continue on to complete an associate or higher degree. 5) Program completers can seek employment with local agencies and/or develop small businesses based on their skills and knowledge. 6) Graduates of these academic programs qualify for many local jobs, particularly in the natural resource management field, that are currently held by imported professionals. 7) Employers, such as resource management agencies, now have a larger pool of local talent from which to hire, reducing recruitment, training and retention costs. 8) Increase in the local skill-base improves quality of life in rural Alaska.
Publications
- Jernigan, K. 2009. Ethnobotany Serving Local Needs: Creating a Certificate Program at the Kuskokwim Campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Society for Applied Anthropology Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. 2008. Sustaining the Capital of the Nushagak Watershed Using an Interdisciplinary Science Approach. AAAS Arctic Science Conference, Fairbanks, AK.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. and M. Fox. 2008. Bridging Native Culture and Environmental Science: Changing Higher Education Methods in the Bristol Bay Region of Southwestern Alaska. Canadian Association of Science and Technology Proceedings.
- Radenbaugh, T. A. and S. Wingert. 2009. Values of Nushagak Bay: Past, Present and Future, "Lessons from Continuity and Change in the 4th IPY," University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK.
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