A total of 30 students from University of Montevallo travelled to Alabama Coast in April for two-days of hands-on learning and research on coastal ecosystems.
The students were divided into two groups, each of 14 students. One group was part of the Environmental Studies ProgramWith Dr. Susan Caplow, associate professor of environment studies. The other two were students in Associate Professors of Biology Dr. Jill Wicknicks invertebrate zoology class.
Caplow stated that Dr. Jill Wicknick often takes her students to Dauphin Island for an afternoon trip in spring. She and I had been discussing the possibility of making it longer and offering more educational opportunities. We were able this year to do that. We booked a bus for the night and made it a two-day trip.
Day one: After departing from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab for day one, Wicknicks’ group went to the marshlands, where Caplows students learned all about microplastics.
Trinity Buse from Steele (Alabama), a sophomore environmental studies major, said the trip was a great experience and a great opportunity.
Buse stated that we learned a lot about microplastics and how to remove them from the coast, sustainable infrastructure in park, community science, and how important it was to work in conservation. We did a litter pickup and tracked it with the Alabama state app, which records volunteer pickups along Alabama’s coast.
The Wicknicks students learned about invertebrates at a beach and Caplows students took a sustainability tour through Gulf State Park the next morning.
Caplow stated that the park is very sustainable and was rebuilt following the hurricane using BP oil-spill funds. It was built to be sustainable and to withstand future hurricanes.
The groups met together for an afternoon of exploration. Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Caplow stated that they went on a tour with a natural resources planner who measures and manages the reserve. This piqued interest in several students, who now want to pursue that career.
Blue Smith, a Montgomery junior biology major and Wicknicks biology class lab assistant, said that the trip was an incredible learning experience and great fun.
Smith said that he loves sea life. This was so much fun. We went seine net fishing in cold water to catch tonguefish, lizardfish, pipefish and a pipefish. The pipefish looks almost like a seahorse.
It was messy, but I was prepared with my boots. I knew what I was doing, and it was a blast.
Smith stated that she was already planning to become a marine biologist after the trip. Now, that plan has been strengthened.
We were told by the people we met that if we were interested in this, we could be given information about how to get internships. It was more than an educational trip. It also served as a career guidance trip.
Buse stated that her career goal was to become a park ranger. However, she didn’t realize that state parks also included coastal areas before this trip. She now has other options.
The group had dinner together in Fairhope, and the students were given the opportunity to explore the area on their own or with one another in meaningful ways.
Caplow stated that these types of trips are essential for students to learn, discover ecosystems theyre unfamiliar with, and find summer and post-graduation job opportunities. This is our first time doing this and we hope to do it again.
It was a success in shaping and inspiring their futures. They will always remember this memorable trip from their college days at Montevallo.
The professors plan to take students on a trip in Belize in spring 2023 as part of Wicknicks conservation biology course.
Smith said that he loves sea life. This was so much fun. We went seine net fishing in cold water to catch tonguefish, lizardfish, pipefish and a pipefish. The pipefish looks almost like a seahorse.
It was messy, but I was prepared with my boots. I knew exactly what I was doing and had a great time.
Smith stated that she was already planning to become a marine biologist after the trip. This is now a stronger trajectory.
We were told by the people we met that if we were interested in this, we could be given information about how to get internships. It was more than an educational trip. It also served as a career guidance trip.
Buse stated that her career goal was to become a park ranger. However, she didn’t realize that state parks also included coastal areas before this trip. She now has other options.
The group had dinner together in Fairhope, and the students were given the opportunity to explore the area on their own or with one another in meaningful ways.
Caplow stated that these types of trips are essential for students to learn, discover ecosystems theyre unfamiliar with, and find summer and post-graduation job opportunities. This is the first time that we have done this and we are looking forward to doing it again.
It was a success in shaping and inspiring their futures. They will always remember this memorable trip from their college days at Montevallo.
The professors plan to take students on a trip in Belize in spring 2023 as part of Wicknicks conservation biology course.
