Wildlife Ecology Day Research Program
High School
An intensive two week day program for rising 9th through 12th grade students
2025 Program Dates
July 28-August 8 (M-F); 9am-4pm
Optional evening activities may be offered. Details will be shared with registered families.
This class is FULL! New registrations will be placed on the waitlist.
High School
An intensive two week day program for rising 9th through 12th grade students
2025 Program Dates
July 28-August 8 (M-F); 9am-4pm
Optional evening activities may be offered. Details will be shared with registered families.
This class is FULL! New registrations will be placed on the waitlist.
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Being a part of the 2019 WER program allowed me to learn about the wildlife of the Huyck Preserve from experts in ecology, conservation, and invasive species management. I was also able to get a glimpse of what it would be like to have a career as an ecologist when I had the opportunity to work with some of my peers studying the water chemistry of a pond on the Preserve as part of a final project which we presented to friends and family at the end of the program. I was so inspired by the conservation efforts of the Preserve that I decided to apply for a seasonal job so that I could do my part to help!" Lleyton, former WER student, Yale University |
Wildlife Ecology Research opened my eyes to the broad range of study associated with ecological research. I've always liked nature, and so I've always thought that I might like to do something with nature as a career. Until WER, though, I didn't understand the full scope of fields that someone like myself could go into that includes ecology, but also includes my other interests, like statistics and computer science. The opportunity to do actual field research as well as work inside on a computer has made me realize that within ecological studies, there is work that I would enjoy doing. Furthermore, WER gave me the skills and opportunity to work for researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz collecting ants over the summer.” Calder, former WER student, SUNY ESF |
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Wildlife Ecology Research is an intensive two-week day program where high school students learn basic ecological principles through hands-on research experience. Ecologists from colleges and universities around the region will instruct students on broad topics in ecology. Wildlife Ecology Research culminates in small group research projects that are mentored by program staff as well as by undergraduate Odum Interns. This program aims to provide a significant academic experience that will help students prepare for courses and research experiences at the college level while letting them explore career options in the natural sciences.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
- Identify interesting and important research topics and create research protocols using the scientific method
- Understand and implement common field techniques for sampling plant and animal populations
- Hone critical thinking and observation skills
- Effectively communicate on a research topic through the end-of-program poster sessions and other opportunities
- Establish connections with professionals in the field and other students with similar interests
PROGRAM TUITION
Huyck Preserve members: $475
Non-members: $600
Non-members: $600
Programs can be paid for by check or cash in person at the Preserve, or by credit or debit card online. Payments are nonrefundable.
To receive the member rate, please send checks by mail, stop by the Preserve, or call the office to pay by credit card over the phone.
Financial Assistance: Please contact the Preserve office at [email protected] for information on scholarships for families with a demonstrated need.
To receive the member rate, please send checks by mail, stop by the Preserve, or call the office to pay by credit card over the phone.
Financial Assistance: Please contact the Preserve office at [email protected] for information on scholarships for families with a demonstrated need.
INSTRUCTORS AND STAFF
The Huyck Preserve has opened so many doors for me, and I am thankful...It's a fantastic program that more high school students should know about, as it provides a real taste of independent research, exposes students to mentors in the field of science, and provides opportunities for the future such as being invited to special events...." Fiona, former student
Lead Instructors
Anne G. Rhoads, Ph.D. Dr. Rhoads is the Executive Director at the Huyck Preserve and is trained as a forest ecologist with a special interest in disturbance ecology and the response of forests to human disturbance. She has years of experience in education and land conservation and has two children. She will be assisted by the Huyck Preserve's Seasonal Educator.
Examples of Guest Instructors from past years
Mark Lesser, Ph.D., 2024 Summer Research Fellow. Mark Lesser is a forest ecologist in the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at SUNY Plattsburgh. Mark’s research focuses on understanding the factors that dictate plant species range limits.
Walter Carson, Ph.D. Dr. Carson was the Preserve's 2023 Senior Research Fellow. He is retired Associate Professor from University of Pittsburgh and has spent his career studying the ecology of the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome and tropical forests in Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
Jonathan Titus, Ph.D. Dr. Titus was the Preserve's 2022 Senior Research Fellow. He is a retired biology professor from SUNY-Fredonia, located near Lake Erie and where he taught freshman biology and upper level classes in botany and ecology, local natural history, and greenhouse studies.
Susan W. Beatty, Ph.D., is recently retired as the Provost of the Sage Colleges. Her interests are in biogeography, soils and plant ecology. She has worked extensively on the effects of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances in temperate forests, California chaparral and grasslands of North America and China. Her research on species richness in deciduous forests of the northeastern U.S. has been supported by the National Science Foundation and her work on the stability of grazed grasslands has been sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences (PRC) and the Nature Conservancy (CA). Currently her interests are in integrating fine and coarse-scale vegetation processes to determine potential response to disturbances such as global climate change.
Mary Beth Kolozsvary, Ph.D. Mary Beth Kolozsvary is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences and former Biodiversity Scientist with the New York State Biodiversity Research Institute at the New York State Museum. She holds Research Associate appointments at the New York State Museum and Mohonk Preserve and is an active participant and leader in the Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. She has a strong background in wildlife and aquatic biology research and management. Her research interests focus on energy flow and the ecology of fishless waters, in particular examining the role of vernal pools in the conservation of pool-breeding amphibians in forested landscapes.
George Robinson, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, SUNY. He holds appointments as Associate Scientist with the NY State Museum, as Visiting Scientist with NY State Parks, and is a member of the Scientific Working Group of the NY State Biodiversity Research Institute. Dr. Robinson is also certified at the rank of Senior Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America. He has supervised six graduate theses and dissertations based on research conducted at the Huyck Preserve, including studies of forest succession, tree disease, stream ecology, and invasive earthworm ecology.
Guest Lecturers
Supplemental lessons vary year-to-year but often are given by academic scientists and land managers in the conservation field.
2024 guests included the New York State Botanist, a Turtle Conservation Coordinator with The Wetland Trust, a Conservation Biologist at SUNY Cobleskill, a Wildlife Biologist from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Supervising Forester in the Climate Forestry and Carbon Unit at the NYS Bureau of Forest Resource Management, and a wildlife veterinarian with the NYS Wildlife Health Program.
Anne G. Rhoads, Ph.D. Dr. Rhoads is the Executive Director at the Huyck Preserve and is trained as a forest ecologist with a special interest in disturbance ecology and the response of forests to human disturbance. She has years of experience in education and land conservation and has two children. She will be assisted by the Huyck Preserve's Seasonal Educator.
Examples of Guest Instructors from past years
Mark Lesser, Ph.D., 2024 Summer Research Fellow. Mark Lesser is a forest ecologist in the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at SUNY Plattsburgh. Mark’s research focuses on understanding the factors that dictate plant species range limits.
Walter Carson, Ph.D. Dr. Carson was the Preserve's 2023 Senior Research Fellow. He is retired Associate Professor from University of Pittsburgh and has spent his career studying the ecology of the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome and tropical forests in Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
Jonathan Titus, Ph.D. Dr. Titus was the Preserve's 2022 Senior Research Fellow. He is a retired biology professor from SUNY-Fredonia, located near Lake Erie and where he taught freshman biology and upper level classes in botany and ecology, local natural history, and greenhouse studies.
Susan W. Beatty, Ph.D., is recently retired as the Provost of the Sage Colleges. Her interests are in biogeography, soils and plant ecology. She has worked extensively on the effects of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances in temperate forests, California chaparral and grasslands of North America and China. Her research on species richness in deciduous forests of the northeastern U.S. has been supported by the National Science Foundation and her work on the stability of grazed grasslands has been sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences (PRC) and the Nature Conservancy (CA). Currently her interests are in integrating fine and coarse-scale vegetation processes to determine potential response to disturbances such as global climate change.
Mary Beth Kolozsvary, Ph.D. Mary Beth Kolozsvary is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences and former Biodiversity Scientist with the New York State Biodiversity Research Institute at the New York State Museum. She holds Research Associate appointments at the New York State Museum and Mohonk Preserve and is an active participant and leader in the Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. She has a strong background in wildlife and aquatic biology research and management. Her research interests focus on energy flow and the ecology of fishless waters, in particular examining the role of vernal pools in the conservation of pool-breeding amphibians in forested landscapes.
George Robinson, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, SUNY. He holds appointments as Associate Scientist with the NY State Museum, as Visiting Scientist with NY State Parks, and is a member of the Scientific Working Group of the NY State Biodiversity Research Institute. Dr. Robinson is also certified at the rank of Senior Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America. He has supervised six graduate theses and dissertations based on research conducted at the Huyck Preserve, including studies of forest succession, tree disease, stream ecology, and invasive earthworm ecology.
Guest Lecturers
Supplemental lessons vary year-to-year but often are given by academic scientists and land managers in the conservation field.
2024 guests included the New York State Botanist, a Turtle Conservation Coordinator with The Wetland Trust, a Conservation Biologist at SUNY Cobleskill, a Wildlife Biologist from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Supervising Forester in the Climate Forestry and Carbon Unit at the NYS Bureau of Forest Resource Management, and a wildlife veterinarian with the NYS Wildlife Health Program.
How to apply
To apply online: apply online using our secure website.
To apply by mail: download the registration form here, or stop by the Preserve to obtain a printed copy of the application. Submit the completed application by mail or drop it off at the Preserve.
Programs can be paid for by check or cash in-person at the Preserve, or by credit or debit card online. For the member rate, please mail a check to the Preserve, pay in-person, or call the office to pay by credit card.
If you do not receive confirmation of your registration within 24 hours please email [email protected].
Registration is not complete until payment is received.
Classes are capped at nine students and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If classes fill, unpaid spots will be given to other children.
This class must have five students to run.
Payments are non-refundable unless the class is canceled due to under-enrollment.
To apply by mail: download the registration form here, or stop by the Preserve to obtain a printed copy of the application. Submit the completed application by mail or drop it off at the Preserve.
Programs can be paid for by check or cash in-person at the Preserve, or by credit or debit card online. For the member rate, please mail a check to the Preserve, pay in-person, or call the office to pay by credit card.
If you do not receive confirmation of your registration within 24 hours please email [email protected].
Registration is not complete until payment is received.
Classes are capped at nine students and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If classes fill, unpaid spots will be given to other children.
This class must have five students to run.
Payments are non-refundable unless the class is canceled due to under-enrollment.
