Environmental Science and Sustainability

March 15, 2016 – Eric Pallant, the Christine Scott Nelson Professor of Environmental Sustainability and chair of the Department of Environmental Science at Allegheny College, has been awarded a 2016-17 Fulbright award to the United Kingdom.

Pallant, who teaches a class at Allegheny titled “Soil to Plate,” an interdisciplinary survey of food production around the world, will reside in the U.K. for five months. He plans to spend half his time undertaking research into the scientific transformation of bread production as part of a book he is writing on the geography and history of sourdough cultures. The book is tentatively titled “Culture: A Short History of the World in a Loaf of Fresh Sourdough.”

He also plans to teach about food, sustainability and green campus initiatives at Lancaster University.

Pallant plans to work with the Lancaster Environmental Centre on a microbial survey of yeast sharing communities and the working microbial economy of Lancaster. He also plans to visit the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, a 65-year-old research facility with 4,000 strains of yeast, to have the yeasts in his own 122-year-old sourdough starter — from the Cripple Creek, Colorado gold rush of 1893 — analyzed for their microbial diversity.

A third component of his research will take place in the archives of the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, where he will study the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the transformation of bread making from artisanal to mechanical.

This is Pallant’s second Fulbright Award. In 2001 he was awarded a Fulbright to teach and conduct research at Israel’s Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, which serves as a regional center for conservation and environmental protection activities and develops ties between Middle Eastern and Western university students.

In addition, Pallant has twice served as a U.S. State Department speaker and specialist. In 2008 he spent 10 days lecturing at universities and high schools in the Palestinian Authority on sustainability and green buildings. In 2014 he traveled for two weeks to Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines, where he lectured and held meetings to promote river rehabilitation.

For the last several years Pallant has partnered his classes at Allegheny College with classes in other countries via Skype, Facebook and on-line blogs. He has co-taught classes with professors in Pakistan, Morocco, Israel, France and England. After presenting his observations at the 2nd World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities, he published “Overcoming Obstacles to Classroom Based, Cross-Border, Environmental Education in Universities.”

Allegheny College has one of the oldest environmental science programs at any liberal arts college in the United States. In 2015 it was recognized by EnvironmentalScience.org as the second best program in the country.

The Fulbright Program, which increases mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Only about 500 teaching and/or research Fulbrights are awarded each year.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Scott Wissinger recently published two review papers in an edited book volume titled Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands: An International Perspective on Their Ecology. A chapter titled “Beaver Pond Wetlands” features collaborative work with Allegheny students over the past 15 years at the Bousson Environmental Research Reserve. The second paper, written with collaborators from Switzerland and France, is a comparative study of the ecology of alpine ponds and wetlands in Europe, North America, and New Zealand. Both papers were written while on sabbatical last year in New Zealand, and the author gratefully acknowledges support from the Academic Support Committee.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Scott Wissinger recently published two review papers in an edited book volume titled Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands: An International Perspective on Their Ecology. A chapter titled “Beaver Pond Wetlands” features collaborative work with Allegheny students over the past 15 years at the Bousson Environmental Research Reserve. The second paper, written with collaborators from Switzerland and France, is a comparative study of the ecology of alpine ponds and wetlands in Europe, North America, and New Zealand. Both papers were written while on sabbatical last year in New Zealand, and the author gratefully acknowledges support from the Academic Support Committee.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Science Casey Bradshaw-Wilson received a Pennsylvania Sea Grant award of $75,000 for a project titled “Determination of Invasive Round Goby Populations within the Main Stem of French Creek and their Potential Impact on Native Benthic Fishes.” Allegheny is the lead institution for this collaborative project with Penn State University. Two students will be working with Professor Bradshaw-Wilson on this project during the summer and fall of 2016.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Science Casey Bradshaw-Wilson received a Pennsylvania Sea Grant award of $75,000 for a project titled “Determination of Invasive Round Goby Populations within the Main Stem of French Creek and their Potential Impact on Native Benthic Fishes.” Allegheny is the lead institution for this collaborative project with Penn State University. Two students will be working with Professor Bradshaw-Wilson on this project during the summer and fall of 2016.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Professor of Environmental Science Richard Bowden and Lauren Deem ’13 presented the poster “Controls on Forest Soil Carbon” at the National Science Foundation Long-Term Ecological Research All-Scientists Meeting in Estes Park, Colorado. The poster described the ability of forest soil to absorb climate change pollution (carbon dioxide) at a suite of forest research sites. Collaborators were from Oregon State, U. Michigan, the College of Nyíregyháza (HU), U. Toronto, U. Copenhagen, and U. Penn. Julia Schock ’15, Professor of Communication Arts Michael Keeley, and Professor Bowden also presented the poster “Hemlock: A Documentary,” which described the cultural and ecological history of the hemlock tree, which is Pennsylvania’s state tree and which is threatened by an invasive, introduced insect. The video produced in the project, which was Julia’s senior thesis, was also shown at the awards banquet of the LTER meeting. Professor Bowden served as co-chair of the triennial conference.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Professor of Environmental Science Richard Bowden and Lauren Deem ’13 presented the poster “Controls on Forest Soil Carbon” at the National Science Foundation Long-Term Ecological Research All-Scientists Meeting in Estes Park, Colorado. The poster described the ability of forest soil to absorb climate change pollution (carbon dioxide) at a suite of forest research sites. Collaborators were from Oregon State, U. Michigan, the College of Nyíregyháza (HU), U. Toronto, U. Copenhagen, and U. Penn. Julia Schock ’15, Professor of Communication Arts Michael Keeley, and Professor Bowden also presented the poster “Hemlock: A Documentary,” which described the cultural and ecological history of the hemlock tree, which is Pennsylvania’s state tree and which is threatened by an invasive, introduced insect. The video produced in the project, which was Julia’s senior thesis, was also shown at the awards banquet of the LTER meeting. Professor Bowden served as co-chair of the triennial conference.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

As you walk or drive past the area around the Robertson Athletic Complex on these winter days, you might hear the call of “Timber!” echoing through the crisp air. Or you might be able to watch several impressively big brown horses dragging some substantial-looking logs across the snow-strewn fields. You also might hear inquisitive students asking Amish loggers about how they do their jobs.

There’s an ongoing logging operation near the Robertson Complex that is removing diseased, damaged and weak trees. The project, using horse-drawn logging teams, is promoting the growth of ecologically and economically valuable trees and teaching students a lesson in sustainability. Some of the trees are destined for the Louisville Slugger plant where they will be turned into baseball bats. Work started last summer and should wrap up by spring on the 135 acres of forested land owned by the college.

Guy Dunkle ’05 is the chief forester for the project. He agreed to discuss briefly the type of forestry methods being employed and how tree removal will improve the long-term environmental value of this forest, located near the Gators football, baseball and softball fields.

Can you describe what is being done?
The forest management work at Robertson has involved two initial projects. The first was controlling invasive plants that have become widespread in the forest and were detrimental to native plants and animals. This involved students and my employees cutting and killing plants across a wide area. The second project, which is more visible, has been the timber harvest during which Amish horse loggers have removed trees. It is my hope that this will be an ongoing process, with future projects that may include additional invasive plant control and forest regeneration harvests to bring on new, young age classes of trees.

Why is the college doing this?
The purpose of the harvest, termed a “worst first” cut, was to remove trees declining in health, trees facing invasive pests, such as ash which is succumbing to emerald ash borer insects and beech which is dying from beech bark disease, and those with minimal long-term potential. Our goal is for Robertson forest to have a more diverse species composition, a more diverse tree age structure – young, old and middle-age trees throughout – and a wide variety of habitat types. This was not a project centered on commodity production, but rather a project designed to enhance the forest ecosystem, the logs being a useable byproduct.

What is the ecological benefit of restorative logging?
Certainly forest preservation is a crucial component of responsible land stewardship. However, a more difficult challenge for forest stewards is to improve the land through use. A steward must embrace opportunities for positive impact forestry. We all benefit from the clean air and clean water produced by forests. As in agriculture, there is a need to connect the consumers of forest products with the ecosystems and people producing them. The ultimate conservation approach is a system that advances the health of the forest and provides the goods needed to sustain the human community.

What is the educational value of this project?
In my opinion, what makes this project so wonderful is the opportunity to showcase a “multiple-use” forest. It has been so wonderful to talk with students, neighborhood dog walkers, college groundskeepers, and curious passers-by, about the characteristics of a sustainable forest. In the form of clean air, clean water, paper and wood, we use forests every day. Allegheny has taken the important next step of ensuring that Robertson forest is used well. Academically, forestry projects dovetail well with a liberal arts education, helping students think about the relationships between humans, their communities and the natural world. Students played a large role in this project, from the hands on work of cutting invasive plants to the more academic aspect of preparing a plan for future forestry projects.

Why use horse power instead of heavy-duty logging machinery?
Skidding logs with horses offers several distinct advantages over traditional machinery. The comparatively light weight of horses helps avoid much of the soil compaction, rutting and surface disturbance commonly associated with logging. Because a team of horses is narrower and shorter than logging machines, they are able to move through the forest without rubbing against or driving over trees and plants, thereby leaving a healthier residual forest. We also timed our harvest so that skidding would take place when the soil was either dry or frozen and least susceptible to damage.

Tell us about your land trust.
The Foundation for Sustainable Forests is a nonprofit land trust from nearby Spartansburg, Pa. The foundation is dedicated to the permanent protection of working forests in the region. Forest land has been donated to the Foundation and we manage it as an example of best practices in sustainable forestry. We also work with private landowners to help them with sustainable management of their land. The foundation has partnered with Allegheny on the Shared Giving Program wherein forest landowners can make a gift of land that serves as an endowment to both organizations.

Photo Caption: Professor Rich Bowden, left, Guy Dunkle ’05, and Owen Ludwig ’17 discuss the logging operations in January. Photo Credit: Derek Li

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

As you walk or drive past the area around the Robertson Athletic Complex on these winter days, you might hear the call of “Timber!” echoing through the crisp air. Or you might be able to watch several impressively big brown horses dragging some substantial-looking logs across the snow-strewn fields. You also might hear inquisitive students asking Amish loggers about how they do their jobs.

There’s an ongoing logging operation near the Robertson Complex that is removing diseased, damaged and weak trees. The project, using horse-drawn logging teams, is promoting the growth of ecologically and economically valuable trees and teaching students a lesson in sustainability. Some of the trees are destined for the Louisville Slugger plant where they will be turned into baseball bats. Work started last summer and should wrap up by spring on the 135 acres of forested land owned by the college.

Guy Dunkle ’05 is the chief forester for the project. He agreed to discuss briefly the type of forestry methods being employed and how tree removal will improve the long-term environmental value of this forest, located near the Gators football, baseball and softball fields.

Can you describe what is being done?
The forest management work at Robertson has involved two initial projects. The first was controlling invasive plants that have become widespread in the forest and were detrimental to native plants and animals. This involved students and my employees cutting and killing plants across a wide area. The second project, which is more visible, has been the timber harvest during which Amish horse loggers have removed trees. It is my hope that this will be an ongoing process, with future projects that may include additional invasive plant control and forest regeneration harvests to bring on new, young age classes of trees.

Why is the college doing this?
The purpose of the harvest, termed a “worst first” cut, was to remove trees declining in health, trees facing invasive pests, such as ash which is succumbing to emerald ash borer insects and beech which is dying from beech bark disease, and those with minimal long-term potential. Our goal is for Robertson forest to have a more diverse species composition, a more diverse tree age structure – young, old and middle-age trees throughout – and a wide variety of habitat types. This was not a project centered on commodity production, but rather a project designed to enhance the forest ecosystem, the logs being a useable byproduct.

What is the ecological benefit of restorative logging?
Certainly forest preservation is a crucial component of responsible land stewardship. However, a more difficult challenge for forest stewards is to improve the land through use. A steward must embrace opportunities for positive impact forestry. We all benefit from the clean air and clean water produced by forests. As in agriculture, there is a need to connect the consumers of forest products with the ecosystems and people producing them. The ultimate conservation approach is a system that advances the health of the forest and provides the goods needed to sustain the human community.

What is the educational value of this project?
In my opinion, what makes this project so wonderful is the opportunity to showcase a “multiple-use” forest. It has been so wonderful to talk with students, neighborhood dog walkers, college groundskeepers, and curious passers-by, about the characteristics of a sustainable forest. In the form of clean air, clean water, paper and wood, we use forests every day. Allegheny has taken the important next step of ensuring that Robertson forest is used well. Academically, forestry projects dovetail well with a liberal arts education, helping students think about the relationships between humans, their communities and the natural world. Students played a large role in this project, from the hands on work of cutting invasive plants to the more academic aspect of preparing a plan for future forestry projects.
Why use horse power instead of heavy-duty logging machinery?
Skidding logs with horses offers several distinct advantages over traditional machinery. The comparatively light weight of horses helps avoid much of the soil compaction, rutting and surface disturbance commonly associated with logging. Because a team of horses is narrower and shorter than logging machines, they are able to move through the forest without rubbing against or driving over trees and plants, thereby leaving a healthier residual forest. We also timed our harvest so that skidding would take place when the soil was either dry or frozen and least susceptible to damage.

Tell us about your land trust.
The Foundation for Sustainable Forests is a nonprofit land trust from nearby Spartansburg, Pa. The foundation is dedicated to the permanent protection of working forests in the region. Forest land has been donated to the Foundation and we manage it as an example of best practices in sustainable forestry. We also work with private landowners to help them with sustainable management of their land. The foundation has partnered with Allegheny on the Shared Giving Program wherein forest landowners can make a gift of land that serves as an endowment to both organizations.

Photo Caption: Professor Rich Bowden, left, Guy Dunkle ’05, and Owen Ludwig ’17 discuss the logging operations in January. Photo Credit: Derek Li

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Susan Washko ’16, Jared Balik ’16, and Professor of Environmental Science and Biology Scott Wissinger co-authored a paper, “Predicting ecosystem-level effects of species shifts in elevation associated with climate change in alpine ponds,” presented at the 100th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. The collaborative research was supported by a Harold State Fellowship award to Susan and a Beckman Scholars program award to Jared from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research