ED11D-0866
More than a Museum: Natural History is Relevant in 21st Century Environmental Science

Monday, 14 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Rebecca R Hernandez, University of California Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group, Berkeley, CA, United States; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Climate and Carbon Sciences Program Area, Berkeley, CA, United States, Michelle L Murphy-Mariscal, Western Riverside County MSHCP, Biological Monitoring Program, Riverside, CA, United States and Cameron W Barrows, University of California Riverside, Center for Conservation Biology, Riverside, CA, United States
Abstract:
In the Anthropocene, the relevancy of natural history in environmental science is challenged and marginalized today more than ever. We tested the hypothesis that natural history is relevant to the fields of environmental science and ecology by assessing the values, needs, and decisions related to natural history of graduate students and environmental science professionals across 31 universities and various employers, respectively, in California. Graduate students surveyed (93.3%) agreed that natural history was relevant to science, approximately 70% believed it “essential” for conducting field-based research; however, 54.2% felt inadequately trained to teach a natural history course and would benefit from additional training in natural history (> 80%). Of the 185 professionals surveyed, all felt that natural history was relevant to science and “essential” or “desirable” in their vocation (93%). Our results indicate a disconnect between the value and relevancy of natural history in 21st century ecological science and opportunities for gaining those skills and knowledge through education and training.
Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>