Thinking independently and creatively is essential to the Allegheny College student. In environmental science and sustainability, it’s especially critical to tackle scientific challenges. No matter the setting, or tools, ESS faculty ensure students are comfortable solving problems.
Casey Bradshaw-Wilson, Associate Professor and Co-Director of Watershed Conservation Research Center knows there is no shortage of hands-on projects for her students. With a focus on freshwater ecology and conservation, Bradshaw-Wilson teaches her students how to troubleshoot the challenges of ecological research. Students are offered many opportunities to conduct research throughout the French Creek watershed, primarily with fishes, aquatic invertebrates and amphibians. One example is a long-term project determining the effects that Round Gobies, an invasive fish, have on native species. Students help conduct annual surveys throughout the watershed, eDNA studies to help locate any new introductions or movement, projects regarding juvenile drift, resource positioning with native fishes, and food web projects including aquatic macroinvertebrates and native mussels.
Community partners are essential to the students’ learning and ensures their work has real-world applications. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Regional Science Consortium, Foundation for Sustainable Forests, Crawford County Conservation District, French Creek Valley Conservancy, and the Erie National Wildlife Refuge are just a few examples of productive collaborations available to Allegheny students.
