Tag: The Art of Ecology

Human Behavior and Environmental Education

human behavior and environmental education

Well, my 2nd semester of grad school has now passed, meaning that I am halfway through! This is a happy thought. The light at the end of the tunnel is drawing closer. Despite being excited to finish, I learned a lot and am excited to apply the knowledge to my work. This semester, there was …

How Art & Nature Can Enhance Education

When we combine artistic mediums with environmental science topics, we can increase our knowledge about the natural world, and how we act as stewards of the ecosystems around us. WHY art is so beneficial to increasing our understanding, regardless of subject or topic? The Role of Art in Learning Styles Art, or something made via …

Herps – What are they?

Protecting Breeding Turtles & Amphibians

Starting in late March-early April, you may notice a lot of nature centers or wildlife organizations start talking about “Herps”…. What?! Herps are the collective term for Reptiles + Amphibians. While they each have their own distinguishing characteristics, they are similar enough so that many scientists lump them together while studying or talking about them. …

March Moth Madness

March Madness is a great time to take a look at rankings, tiers, and analyze favorites of objects (such as basketball sports teams). This month though, instead of examining sports, I will be looking at an analyzing moths (who doesn’t love good alliteration) as part of the #MarchMothMadness art challenge. This art challenge was created …

Identifying Sparrows on World Sparrow Day

The temperature is warming up and the days are longer. Spring migration is ramping up and I am starting to see more birds in the edge of the woodlot behind my apartment and I hear them singing early in the morning. Some of the most common birds that I see and hear are sparrows, those …

Feathruary 2023 Art Challenge

This past month I’ve been creating art as part of the #Feathruary2023 by @MischievousRedFox on Instagram. Illustrating birds is not only fun, and a great way for me to learn more about bird identifying characteristics, and sharing the finished piece is a good way to increase appreciation and respect for the bird world. Each piece …

Public Perception & Attitudes Towards Bird Feeding

attitudes towards bird feeding_hummingbird feeder

As part of my spring 2023 “Wildlife Education” course (Masters of Environmental Science through Slippery Rock University), I conducted a survey/questionnaire that was designed to examine the public’s perceptions and attitudes towards a bird feeding; a sometimes-controversial wildlife topic. Many feel strongly about why they should or should not feed wild birds. Below are the …

Viva Magenta – Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year in Nature

Hibiscus, orchids, and chrysanthemum blooms are always so vibrant and colorful. The color of these flowers are so striking, but what exactly is that color called? This year, Pantone selected Viva Magenta, a reddish hue to be the 2023 color of the year! Viva Magenta 18-750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade …

2022 Year in review

This year has had so many incredible ups and some downs, however this has been such an overall year of growth! Despite moving to a new county in the fall, the support I’ve gotten has been tremendous. Below is my year in review. Exciting News from 2022 In the early spring, I completed my intermediate …

Reflecting on the 1st Semester of my Masters in Environmental Education

grant prospectus sample_TheArtofEcology_MJacobs_graduate in Environmental Education

While this reflection is in part a journal for myself, I also hope it provides valuable insight into a Masters in Environmental Education for others interested in pursuing those endeavors. In 2019, I became a mentor for National Geographic’s Educator Certification. I loved getting to meet educators from around the world, and helping them create …