Autumn Moore-Barkus making a difference in human and ecological communities

2014 Jan 23

Seattle, Wash. resident Autumn Moore-Barkus, a graduate student in the Global Field Program (GFP) from Miami University's Project Dragonfly, has been awarded a Community Engagement badge from the university for making a difference in human and ecological communities. As part of the GFP, students like Moore-Barkus apply the tools of conservation science and advance the tenets central to the master's degree: inquiry, community and voice.

Through her Conservation Science & Community course project entitled "CEL Mapping: An assessment of geographical locations for invasive seafood consumption in the Seattle area," Moore-Barkus mapped restaurant locations in Seattle where invasive species are served and educated people on the positive impact their consumption is having on reducing these populations. Moore-Barkus is an instructor at Phoenix Zoo (Arizona Zoological Society).

As part of her master's program coursework, Moore-Barkus traveled to Belize to study conservation and marine biology in the central American country of Belize. Study sites include 13 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

The GFP master's degree is designed for educators and other professionals from all disciplines and settings who are interested in working collaboratively to bring about change in local and global contexts. Applicants can be from anywhere in the United States or abroad. To learn more about the GFP and apply by the January 28 deadline, visit http://gfp.miamioh.edu/.

Project Dragonfly also offers the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master's degree in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Denver, New York, Phoenix, San Diego and Seattle. The community-based AIP degree is co-delivered with Miami's Dragonfly and premier learning institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Courses take place in web-based learning communities and on-site at zoos in those locations. To learn more about the AIP and apply by the February 28 deadline, visit http://aip.miamioh.edu/.

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