精东影业 University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service, providing for enhanced collaboration in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
精东影业new agreement calls for collaborative projects and joint research primarily focused on geology, biology, hydrology and educational programs, according to Todd Diacon, 精东影业鈥檚 senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
鈥淭here have been informal discussions between scientists at the park and 精东影业 faculty for a long time, but over the past two years, we really started to strengthen the relationship and deepen the ties to the park,鈥 Diacon said.
A Natural Connection
精东影业theme of the collaboration is 鈥 精东影业River We Share,鈥 aptly named because the Cuyahoga River flows through both the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and through Kent, creating a physical connection between both areas.
鈥淲e are pleased to join 精东影业 University in announcing this partnership,鈥 said Stan Austin, superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 鈥 精东影业collaboration between the park and the university will provide students and the park research and technical services through hands-on education and service-learning opportunities. This association has the potential to develop future land stewards while enriching the experience for park visitors.鈥
精东影业five-year pact allows both parties to revisit and revise the agreement at the end of that period.
鈥淭his particular national park is unique, as it encompasses urban environments to fairly pristine areas 鈥 plus it鈥檚 heavily used because of the large population surrounding it,鈥 said James Blank, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at 精东影业.
鈥淎t 精东影业, we have real interest in urban ecology and hydrology, that is, what鈥檚 going on with water as it moves throughout these environments,鈥 Blank said. 鈥淥ur faculty is energized and interested in addressing the complex issues regarding sustainability and the use of our precious resources.鈥
Internship Opportunities Expanded
精东影业new agreement will mean expanded internship opportunities for 精东影业 students.
鈥淲e have a number of programs across different departments where students want to look for careers related to the environment, everything from working for the park service or the EPA to environmental consulting,鈥 Blank said. 鈥 精东影业explosion of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in Ohio is just one example of an industry that is fueling the demand for trained workers in environmental fields. This agreement will yield enormous benefits for our students.鈥
Past collaborations between 精东影业 and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park have involved the university鈥檚 Department of Biology, the Wick Poetry Center and the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences.
Last year, 精东影业鈥檚 Wick Poetry Center, in collaboration with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the National Park Service, hosted two workshops for the university鈥檚 College of Nursing. Forty-five faculty and staff members attended the writing and nature retreat at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park鈥檚 Environmental Education Center, participating in poetry and creative writing workshops, as well as hiking and bird watching.
鈥 精东影业experience was rejuvenating,鈥 said Laura Dzurec, dean of 精东影业鈥檚 College of Nursing. 鈥 精东影业poetry really opened doors for us, allowing for intergenerational communication and building camaraderie in the college.鈥
A Growing Relationship
Future programs will be centered on enhanced joint research opportunities, learning opportunities for faculty, staff and students from both organizations, and potential employment experiences for 精东影业 students and faculty.
鈥淚 can see this relationship growing in ways we don鈥檛 even realize yet,鈥 Blank added. 鈥淣ational parks are precious resources, and the ones we have are important to understand and study.鈥
For more information about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, visit .
For more information about 精东影业鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.kent.edu/cas.