International students with an F-1 visa who earned a UNCW bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in a STEM Designated Program, as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, have the option to apply for a 24-month OPT extension after their first year of standard OPT. This means they may be eligible to obtain a total of 36 months of OPT work experience in the U.S. This now applies to all graduate and under graduate degree tracks in Environmental Sciences. For more information about the program and processes for international students studying in the U.S., please visit the DHS website.
UNCW Environmental Sciences students have made a positive impact to implement textile recycling across New Hanover County. Recent graduates, Kate Gwatkin, Jessica Kotrick and Sarah Dent are soaring together!!! Their senior capstone project aimed to address the pressing issue of waste management, in light of the limited 26-year lifespan of our county landfill. The trio advocated for implementation of textile recycling across the county, presented to Joe Suleyman, the Director of New Hanover County Solid Waste and Recycling AND their recommendations were approved. Thus, textile recycling bins will soon complement existing recycling infrastructure throughout the county, marking a significant step towards sustainable waste management.
Dr. Backstrom recently won the award for Best Paper in the Coastal Sustainability Track at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration in Marrakesh, Morocco!
EVS Major Diandre’ Richie, a recent graduate, was featured in Seahawk Stories. In his video interview, he discusses his experience from conducting research to studying abroad. His enthusiasm for research earned him the prestigious NOAA Hollings Scholarship. Diandre’ was awarded the William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award for his contributions as a campus leader. You can watch the video here!
Congratulations to Dr. Roger Shew for being honored with the 2024 Charlie Maimone Faculty/Staff Sustainabilty Award! The award is given every year to a UNCW employee that exemplifies the principles and intersectionality of environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic vitality.
Dr. Monica Rother is this year's UNCW Rising Research Award Winner! The Rising Research Excellence Awards honor faculty who are emerging as leaders in their fields. These awards recognize faculty for their excellence in research, innovation and scholarship leading to the advancement of knowledge in their fields, discoveries with significant societal impact and the engagement of students in the process
The second issue of The Leaf Brief is now available! You can read it online here!
Ms. Amy Long was featured on an episode of CoastLine on WHQR Radio. The podcast, titled: "Disappearing grasslands major threat to biodiversity in coastal plain of SE NC", discusses how Ms. Long's work as a restoration ecologist is rehabilitating local tidal marshes, grasslands, and savannahs. She also discusses how strategic restoration can bring back biodiversity that was nearly lost, as evidenced by the New Hanover County Landfill property. The podcast is now available on Spotify, NPR, Apple Podcasts, and Play. You can also listen to it here!
Dr. Rachael Urbanek was featured on an episode of CoastLine on WHQR Radio. The podcast, titled: "UNCW Study raises questions about mental health and disconnect from nature", discusses Dr. Urbanek's work as a Certified Wildlife Biologist and takes a closer look at the changes we’re seeing in southeastern North Carolina and get some ideas on how we might better manage conservation, not just for the sake of the squirrels and raccoons, but, selfishly, for us! The podcast is now available on Spotify, NPR, Apple Podcasts, and Play. You can also listen to it here!
Dr. Stacy Endriss was featured on an episode of CoastLine on WHQR Radio. The podcast, titled: "Invasive Plants are changing NC westlands; soundscapes are helping scientists figure out how", discusses Dr. Endriss's work with exploring how invasive plants are affecting North Carolina wetlands. She’s also looking at creative approaches – including biocontrol – for dealing with the impacts. The podcast is now available on Spotify, NPR, Apple Podcasts, and Play. You can also listen to it here!
Dr. Britt Moore was featured on an episode of CoastLine on WHQR Radio. The podcast, titled: "Environmental Justice should guide culturally responsive science", discusses Dr. Moore's work with the Waccamaw Siouan tribal lands in Bladen and Columbus Counties and the need for that the practice of environmental science to serve the interests of all. The podcast is now available on Spotify, NPR, Apple Podcasts, and Play. You can also listen to it here.
The inaugural issue of Environmental Science's departmental newsletter, The Leaf Brief is now available. You can read it online here!
As you all are starting to look forward to the Fall semester and some of you may be putting things aside to take to Wilmington, don’t forget some EVS gear! EVS now has an online storefront with shirts, hoodies, hats, coffee mugs, water bottles, and more! Check it out here! All products are made to order so we remain sustainable!
EVS would like to congratulate Dr. Monica Rother and her family on the birth of their new baby! Sullivan August Montooth or "Sully" was born on July 20, 2023. He weighed in at 6 pounds and 10 ounces. Dr. Rother and the baby are doing great! Sully's big sister Marjorie is very excited!