JCSET | Watershed Studies Institute Research Symposium
Natural History eMuseum
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Wildlife and Conservation Biology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Howard Whiteman
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
It is evident that anthropogenic stress has affected taxa throughout the ages. Such stress can easily go unnoticed because the environment does not have a voice of its own. As a result, we as humans have gradually lost our sense of connection with the world around us, thus leading to a mindset that there is a strict boundary between humankind and nature. I have sought to help alleviate this mindset by taking on the challenge to create the Natural History eMuseum. The Natural History eMuseum is an educational website dedicated to various vertebrate species that can be found across the United States, focusing particularly on the eastern half of the country. Within this website, I have included information pertaining to each species such as their life history, distribution, and identifying characteristics. While this website is intended to be used primarily as a tool for identifying organisms in the field, there are other aspects included that are beneficial regarding the alleviation of the harmful mindset that we have fostered over time regarding our relationship with the environment. I have included an “About” section within the website that explains the plight that our world faces today – biodiversity loss. Within this section, I have included ways that anyone can play a role to help reduce this. By being aware of such information as a collective society, we can begin to foster a harmonious relationship with the environment that we have drifted far from.
Keywords: anthropogenic, environment, connection, mindset, eMuseum, educational, website, biodiversity, harmonious, relationship
Spring Scholars Week 2021 Event
Watershed Studies Institute Symposium
Natural History eMuseum
It is evident that anthropogenic stress has affected taxa throughout the ages. Such stress can easily go unnoticed because the environment does not have a voice of its own. As a result, we as humans have gradually lost our sense of connection with the world around us, thus leading to a mindset that there is a strict boundary between humankind and nature. I have sought to help alleviate this mindset by taking on the challenge to create the Natural History eMuseum. The Natural History eMuseum is an educational website dedicated to various vertebrate species that can be found across the United States, focusing particularly on the eastern half of the country. Within this website, I have included information pertaining to each species such as their life history, distribution, and identifying characteristics. While this website is intended to be used primarily as a tool for identifying organisms in the field, there are other aspects included that are beneficial regarding the alleviation of the harmful mindset that we have fostered over time regarding our relationship with the environment. I have included an “About” section within the website that explains the plight that our world faces today – biodiversity loss. Within this section, I have included ways that anyone can play a role to help reduce this. By being aware of such information as a collective society, we can begin to foster a harmonious relationship with the environment that we have drifted far from.
Keywords: anthropogenic, environment, connection, mindset, eMuseum, educational, website, biodiversity, harmonious, relationship