One such course is the Forest Biodiversity and Remote Sensing course, a three-day program that was developed by CRC's Education Program Manager Jennifer Buff and CRC wildlife biologist Bill McShea. The course immerses local teachers in the world of conservation science. Teachers sleep at CRC by night and by day learn how to set up, measure, and map tree diversity in school biodiversity plots, and conduct statistical analysis using Smithsonian protocols. They also test hypotheses about environmental trends and interpret remote sensing images including those of their own schools. CRC's wildness and unparalleled resources also draw the younger set each summer, as FONZ Nature Camp begins.
Most campers return home with memories to last a lifetime.
This past summer, while bringing up the rear during a forest hike at CRC, she heard a snort and seconds later saw something she'll never forget. I turned around and there was a big black bear. Luckily, he saw me and kept on going. Now she relishes her bear sighting and her time outdoors. Elena Lomicky, FONZ's CRC program specialist, has witnessed Asia's transformation.