Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience included students at UNM-Taos and New Mexico Highlands University who are from populations underrepresented in the natural resource management field. Secondary audiences included other faculty, staff, and students at these institutions; high school students; natural resource agency staff; and community members in the northern New Mexico region. Changes/Problems:Grant implementation was delayed due to USDA funds not being released to UNM-Taos until December 2014 and funds to New Mexico Highlands University not being released via subaward until March, 2015. The delay was due to complications in meeting the protocols required by all three institutions involved (USDA, UNM, NMHU). Program activities -- especially with respect to student recruitment and retention, experiential learning opportunities, and strategic partnership building -- are well on track; however, some activities, such as evaluation, are behind the originally proposed schedule. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?STUDENT TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Student training and professional development were achieved through: 1) internships and mentoring, 2) professional development and training events, and 3) attendance at state and national conferences/meetings. Internships and Mentoring: -7 undergraduates gained training through internships with the following natural resource management agencies and organizations including: USFS Region 3 Forest Health Protection Office, Albuquerque, NM; USFS Carson National Forest Supervisor's Office, Taos, NM; USFWS Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, and Los Alamos National Laboratories Climate Change Research Group, Los Alamos, NM. -4 NMHU Masters students gained training as supervisors of undergraduate research assistants to their climate change related thesis research in cooperation with NMHU, USFWS Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, and the Denver Zoo. -2 undergraduates gained training as research assistants to graduate students conducting climate change related thesis research. -8 undergraduates participated in peer mentoring via the UNM-Taos NNM-CCC study group supporting student success in STEAM courses. -2 undergraduates participated in peer mentoring via the NMHU ARMAS Center (Achieving in Research, Math and Science Center) to support student success in STEAM courses. -4 M.S. students gained training development through one-on-one mentoring with faculty at New Mexico Highlands University. Professional Development Training Events Attended by NNM-CCC undergrads at UNM-Taos: -Career Readiness Event for Graduating Students, Santa Fe Community College, February 6, 2015. Small group sessions on resumes, elevator speeches, networking, mock interviews and soft skills panel. Attended by Reps from 25 Northern NM companies & organizations including LANL, Sandia, Intel and US Forest Service. 2 NNM-CCC students attended. -8-week Professional Readiness Course, UNM-Taos, Fall Semester 2014, Spring Semester 2015. Focus areas: resumes/cover letters, scholarship opps and applications, job search, interview skills, soft skills, and degree plan. 2 NNM-CCC students attended. -UNM-Taos College and Career Expo, April 15, 2015. Focus areas: academic/career tracks, scholarships, and opportunities. 4 NNM-CCC students attended. -Interview Workshop in Preparation for US Forest Service Hiring Event, UNM-Taos, April 21, 2015. Focus areas: resumes, cover letters, introductions and interview skills.3 NNM-CCC students attended. Attendance at State and National Conferences/Meetings: 4 M.S. students gained professional development through participation in national and state scientific conferences including: Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference; The Emerging Researchers National Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists; Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Meeting; New Mexico Academy of Science and New Mexico Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Joint Annual Meeting and Symposium; New MexicoBioInformatics, Science and Technology (NMBIST) Symposium; New Mexico Highlands University Research Day; and the University of New Mexico -Taos and New Mexico Highlands University Science Expo. FACULTY TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dr. Edward Martinez provided coaching for the Student Engagement New Mexico Highlands University Faculty Development Project Fall 2014 and Spring 2015. Dr. Edward Martinez attended two professional development conferences: Agricultural Science Education Conference hosted by Florida International University, Coconut Grove, FL, Nov. 18-21, 2014; Association of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators HSI/Title V Best Practices Conference, San Antonio, TX, Mar. 8-11, 2015. Dr. Edward Martinez participated in a year-long professional development with Escala Educational Services incorporating best practices in teaching into his courses from Fall 2014 and Spring 2015. Dr. Brooke Zanetell attended three professional development conferences: Agricultural Science Education Conference hosted by Florida International University, Coconut Grove, FL, Nov. 18-21, 2014; Association of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators HSI/Title V Best Practices Conference, San Antonio, TX, Mar. 8-11, 2015; and National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Annual Conference, Athens, GA, June 16-20, 2015. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach activities took three forms: (1) events designed to increase awareness of academic pathways into careers in the natural resources management field, (2) presentations designed to increase public understanding of climate change and its impacts in northern New Mexico, and (3) a newspaper article in the Taos News. For the first activity, the following events occurred: UNM-Taos and NMHU Science Expo at UNM-Taos Klauer Campus (50 attendees); Outreach Visits to 4 Taos High School Science Classrooms (80 attendees). These events benefitted high school and undergraduate students, as well as faculty and staff, who learned more about academic pathways leading to career opportunities in natural resource management. For the second activity, undergraduates in the NNM-CCC collaboratively developed a presentation about climate change and gave presentations at the following professional or community organizations: USFS Carson National Forest Supervisor's Office, Taos Soil and Water Conservation District, USFWS Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, USFS Region 3 Forest Health Protection Office, Los Alamos National Laboratories Climate Change Research Group, and the Boys and Girls Club of Albuquerque. These presentations benefitted agency personnel and community members by providing scientifically accurate information about climate change and its impacts in northern New Mexico. Lastly, the recently published article "UNM-Taos Cultivates Climate Change Scientists" on p. A4 of the August 3 edition of The Taos News can be seen at http://www.taosnews.com/news/article_1c55e5d0-36f1-11e5-9b82-33f7be831f37.html. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Climate change impacts - including drought, pest infestations, tree mortality, reductions in water quality and quantity, and wildfires - are increasingly evident throughout the Southwestern U.S., including New Mexico. Natural Resource Management (NRM) agencies are at the frontline of climate change challenges in the region. Yet, agencies are losing employees to turnover and retirement, while the pool of qualified STEAM applicants - especially Hispanics and other minorities - remains small. At the same time, Hispanic and other minority youth often lack educational opportunity and career planning, particularly in STEAM fields. The Northern New Mexico Climate Change Corps (NNM-CCC), a 4-year, collaborative project led by the University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) and New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU), has been designed to address these environmental and educational challenges. The goal of the NNM-CCC is to educate and train underrepresented students with the occupational competencies to be competitive in natural resource management careers through strategic partnerships between educational institutions and natural resource agencies; student recruitment and retention; and academic and career advancement. In the first year of this four-year project, the program has achieved outstanding results. These include: job placement with the US Forest Service for 3 participating students, transfer from a community college to NMHU by 6 students to earn a B.S. in Forestry or Environmental Geology, successful completion of summer internships with federal agencies or as research assistants by 10 students, and more awareness among Taos County residents of natural resource management academic/career pathways and of climate change. OBJECTIVE 1: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Strategic partnerships were developed with 5 USDA agencies and 2 other federal agencies. USDA agencies include: USFS Carson National Forest (Taos), USFS Santa Fe National Forest (Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District), USFS Southwestern Region Forest Health Office (Albuquerque), Valles Caldera National Preserve (Jemez Springs), and NRCS Taos Field Office. Department of Interior agencies include: BLM Taos Field Office, USFWS Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Las Vegas). In addition, partnerships were formed with 1 national laboratory, 3 colleges/universities, 2 entities governed by municipalities, 2 non-profits, and one for-profit company. These partnerships resulted in internships, experiential learning, and research opportunities for students. The observed impacts are a broadening of student perspectives, knowledge, and networks in science and natural resources management. Partnerships with NMHU Masters students in research at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, Mora, NM, include: USFWS, Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Las Vegas, NM Denver Zoo Conservation Biology Dept, Denver, CO Partnerships with undergrads at NMHU and UNM-Taos in summer internships include: USFS Region 3 Forest Health Protection Office, Albuquerque, NM USFS Carson National Forest Supervisor's Office, Taos, NM Taos SWCD, Taos, NM USFWS, Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Las Vegas, NM Los Alamos National Laboratories Climate Change Research Group, Los Alamos, NM Partnerships supporting experiential education for participating undergrads include: USDA Valles Caldera National Preserve USGS Jemez Mountain Field Station, Bandalier National Monument, Los Alamos, NM Department of Natural Resources, Taos Pueblo (Native American Tribe), Taos, NM New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, NM University of New Mexico Museum of Southwest Biology, Albuquerque, NM Northern New Mexico College Department of Biology, Espanola, NM New Mexico Highlands University Dept. of Natural Resources and Dept. of Biology, Las Vegas, NM Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Taos, NM Renewable Taos, Taos, NM PPC Solar, Taos, NM Objective 2: RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION The project recruited 8 A.S. students, 2 B.S. students, and 4 M.S. students into the NNM-CCC with 100% retention. Of these students, 93% are Hispanic, 64% are first-generation college students, and 15% are female. The observed impacts of recruitment and retention activities are manifest in the achievements of the first year cohort of students who demonstrate the determination necessary to complete their bachelor's/masters degrees and excitement about their future careers. The success of the first year cohort is causing the program to gain recognition and momentum toward achieving the goal of establishing an academic/career track in natural resources management at UNM-Taos. Recruitment Activities Pre- and post-award meetings with Science Teachers at Taos High School Outreach to prospective students by STEAM faculty at UNM-Taos and Taos High School Teachers Networking with other federally-funded programs at UNM-Taos that aim to increase STEM achievement 4 visits to science classes at Taos High School (reached 80 students) 1 newspaper article in the Taos News Retention Activities Financial Support: Academic Stipends of $2,000 - $2,500 / semester paid to all participating graduate and undergraduate students (14 total) Summer Internship Stipends of $3,000 were paid to participating undergraduates (7 total) Summer Masters Thesis Research Stipends of $3,000 were paid to participating masters students (4 total) Tutoring: At UNM-Taos, NNM-CCC study group met for estimated 24 hours. At UNM-Taos, 475 hours of one-on-one STEAM tutoring available, of which 100 hours used directly by project participants. Staff at UNM-Taos Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) and UNM-Taos Accelerate Coordinator tutored an estimated 20 hours. Dr. Edward Martinez tutored 6 students (B.S. and M.S.) for estimated 20 hours. At NMHU, 5 students tutored other students for estimated 40 hours total. Objective 3: ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT The objective of academic and career advancement is being achieved through advising, draft articulation agreements, summer internships (described under objective 1), and job placement. Advising: Dr. Brooke Zanetell advised 10 current students and 5 incoming Fall 2015 students (A.S. & B.S.) for estimated 100 hours. Dr. Edward Martinez advised 10 current and incoming (Fall 2015) students (B.S. and M.S.) for estimated 25 hours. 5 NMHU students advised other students for estimated 45 hours total. Staff at UNM-Taos Center for Academic Success and Achievement and UNM-Taos Accelerate Coordinator advised for estimated 100 hours. Draft Articulation Agreements: 7 draft articulation agreements were the outcomes of meetings between the Program Director, NMHU Registrar, and NMHU STEAM faculty. These provide a clear academic pathway for students transferring from UNM-Taos into NRM-related fields of study at NMHU. In Year 2 of the grant, progress will be made toward formalizing the agreements between the two institutions. Draft articulation agreements now exist for the following degrees at NMHU: B.S. Forestry, Forest Management Concentration B.S. Forestry, Wildland Fire Concentration B.S. Environmental Geology, Water Resources Concentration B.S. Environmental Geology, Environmental Geology Concentration B.S. Biology, with Wildlife Management Minor B.A. Biology, with Wildlife Management Minor B.A. Conservation Management Job Placement: 1 participant gained full-time employment with the USFS District Office in Questa, CO. 2 other participants selected for federally funded Indefinite Pathways Positions, which provide paid summer employment and guaranteed full-time position upon graduation, with USFS offices in Laramie, WY and La Jara, CO.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Martinez, E. A. and E. Ratzlaff. (In Review). Comparing Effects of a STEM-Student Support Center and Supplemental Instruction on Academic Success and Retention of STEM Students at a Four-Year, Open-Enrollment Hispanic-Serving Institution. Journal of Science Education and Technology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Lavadie, A., S. Brown, J. Zebrowiski, and E. A. Martinez. (In Review). Hydrological impacts of burn severity on nutrient concentrations in stormwater and soils, Jemez Mountains, NM. International Journal of Wildland Fire.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
McBride, L. M. and Corey-Rivas, S. (2014). Metapopulation Structure of Two Sympatric Garter Snake Species (Thamnophis elegans and Thamnophis cyrtopsis) in the Mora River Watershed. Paper presented at New Mexico Academy of Science and New Mexico Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Joint Annual Meeting and Symposium, Albuquerque, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
McBride, L. M. and Corey-Rivas, S. (2015). Metapopulation structure of riparian herpetofauna in the Mora River Watershed. Paper presented at New Mexico Highlands University Science Exposition at University of New Mexico. Taos, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
McBride, L. M. and Corey-Rivas, S. (2015). Metapopulation Structure of Two Sympatric Garter Snake Species in the Mora River Watershed. Paper presented the 12th Annual New Mexico Highlands University Student Research Day. Las Vegas, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Zanetell, B. A. (2015). Mentoring About Climate Change: A Two-Way Street. 2015 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Conference, June 16-20, 2015, Athens, GA. North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Journal 59(1): 97.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Rivas, J. and E.A. Martinez. (2015). Courses, Activities, and Research at NMHU. University of New Mexico-Taos and New Mexico Highlands University Science Expo, April 23. Taos, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Montoya, E. (2015). Assessing, Quantifying, and Monitoring Arroyo Restoration at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. University of New Mexico -Taos and New Mexico Highlands University Science Expo, April 23. Taos, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Trujillo, A. and Rivas, J. (2014). The Impact of the Invasive American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on Woodhouse Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) Demographics in the Rio Mora Wildlife Refuge in Northeastern NM. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Chattanooga, TN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Trujillo, A. and Rivas, J. (2015). The Impact of the Invasive American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on Woodhouse Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) Demographics in the Rio Mora Wildlife Refuge in Northeastern NM. New Mexico Highlands University Research Day. Las Vegas, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Trujillo, A. and Rivas, J. (2015) The Impact of the Invasive American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on Woodhouse Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) Demographics in the Rio Mora Wildlife Refuge in Northeastern NM. University of New Mexico -Taos and New Mexico Highlands University Science Expo, April 23. Taos, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Vialpando, C. I. and Rivas, J. A. (2015). The Efficacy of using Artificial Cover Objects at Capturing Amphibians and Reptiles in Riparian Areas of Northern New Mexico. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence, KS.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Vialpando, C. I. and Rivas, J. A. (2015). Response of Northern Leopard Frogs to the Removal of the Invasive Bullfrog. New Mexico Highlands University Research Day, Las Vegas, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Trujillo, A. and Rivas, J. (2014). The Impact of the Invasive American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on Woodhouse Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) Demographics in the Rio Mora Wildlife Refuge in Northeastern NM. NM EPSCoR. Albuquerque, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Montoya, E. (2015). Quantifying Habitat Use by Native Species in Restored Arroyos Impacted by Climate Change. Denver Zoo Safari Camp, June 16, Denver, CO.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
McBride, L. M. and Corey-Rivas, S. (2015). Metapopulation structure of riparian herpetofauna in the Mora River Watershed. Poster presented at New Mexico BioInformatics, Science and Technology (NMBIST) Symposium. Santa Fe, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
McBride, L. M. and Corey-Rivas, S. (2015). Metapopulation Structure of a Garter Snake Species in the Mora River Watershed. Poster presented at Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Meeting. Lawrence, KS.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Montoya, E. (2015). Assessing, Quantifying, and Monitoring Arroyo Restoration at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. New Mexico Highlands University Research Day, April 10. Las Vegas, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Vialpando, C. I. and Rivas, J. A. (2015). Response of Northern Leopard Frogs to the Removal of the Invasive Bullfrog. University of New Mexico-Taos and New Mexico Highlands University Science Expo, April 23. Taos, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Zanetell, B. A. (2014). The Northern New Mexico Climate Change Corps: A Higher Ed and Federal Agency Partnership to Promote Hispanic and Minority Success in Natural Resources Management. Agri-science Education for the 21st Century: Diversity, Access, and Success, Sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agricultures Hispanic Serving Institutions Higher Education Program, November 19-22, 2015, Coconut Grove, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Zanetell, B. A. (2015). Mentoring About Climate Change: A Two-Way Street. 2015 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Conference, June 16-20, 2015, Athens, GA.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
News article: Hooks, Cody. UNM-Taos Cultivates Climate Change Scientists. The Taos News. 3 August 2015: A4. Print and Online. http://www.taosnews.com/news/article_1c55e5d0-36f1-11e5-9b82-33f7be831f37.html
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