ESSAP News

The Environmental Studies Student Advisory Panel (ESSAP) has had a busy year. Last fall ESSAP held a rally against the proposed SNR merger with the Environmental Program. Many members offered vocal and committed support for an independent Environmental Program at the November 10th hearing on this matter. During the hiring process for the new Student Services Coordinator in February, four ESSAP representatives interviewed each of the final six candidates. ESSAP planned an d organized the lively Environmental Studies banquet and dance on April 20 for students, staff and faculty.

For Earth Day ESSAP sponsored a "Green Up Day" in Centennial Woods Natural Area. Twenty five volunteers collected two pickup truck loads of trash, constructed waterbars on a steep section of trail to help reduce soil erosion, naturalized illegal fire ring s, and filled in "bootleg" walking and mountain biking trails. ESSAP plans to continue work in Centennial Woods next year through fund raising and reconstruction of the boardwalk through the wetland near the area's entrance. This semester ESSAP members ha ve been organizing a curriculum review of the core ENVS courses together with a review of advising procedures. They will also be evaluating the Program's ability to prepare its students for meaningful careers. By conducting student surveys and careful rep orting of the responses to the Program, ESSAP hopes to influence changes in the Program policies and curriculum that will serve both students and faculty.

ESSAP provides a link between faculty and students, encouraging ENVS students to be active in their program. The student run group meets once a week to plan activities and discuss issues concerning the Environmental Program community. ESSAP members pro vide peer advising services to other ENVS majors and minors during the weeks before registration period and throughout the semester. If you are interested in becoming an ESSAP member, contact the Bittersweet at 656-4055.

Wildlife Society

UVM students are reaching out to public schools to teach environmental education programs to local youngsters. Through the program, Outreach, organized by UVM's student chapter of The Wildlife Society, volunteers seek to enhance natural resource education in the classroom through presentations and discussions, and in the field through guided hikes and nature games. We aim to build on children's innate curiosities about nature and encourage further questioning about the natural world in which they live.

Broad Array of Programs Our outreach presentations include slide shows, guided work with animal study skins, discussions, hands-on Project WILD activities, and outdoor discovery hikes. Teachers choose from seven educational programs: Fish of Lake C hamplain, Vermont Deer, Birds of Vermont, Wildlife of Northeastern Forests, Wetlands, Walks and Talks, and Centennial Woods Discovery Hike. As an Outreach volunteer, you are committed only to those programs for which you have time and interest. Students p resent in groups of two or three who, together, offer variety in viewpoint, skills and background. This provides opportunities for less experienced volunteers to work with experienced presenters.

The Outreach Program is always looking for volunteers. Join us!

The Wildlife Society at UVM is a student chapter of the National Wildlife Society. Through a variety of volunteer projects, events and field trips this club works to take an active role in wildlife preservation and education. If you are interested in g etting involved with the Wildlife Society, look for meeting times posted at the School of Natural Resources in Aiken.