Achievement

IGERT trainee Joshua Reams is doing research which seeks to utilize community knowledge, indigenous knowledge and both passive and active citizen science in pursuit of critical baseline date related to Alaska's amphibian. He has surveyed residents of Wrangell, a small fishing community, and has inspired local volunteers to assist in monitoring frogs and salamanders. He works closely with the Kiks.adi Clan of the Stikine Tlingit Indians. The indigenous knowledge component gives insight into the value of amphibians as cultural ecosystem services and the value of applying indigenous knowledge. Ream developed amphibian specific logbooks in which the visitors to cabins in the the Tongass National Forest can record their observations. Using students as active citizen science Mr. Ream has partnered with the SYSTEMS (Say Yes to Science, Technology, Engineering, and MaMathematics in Schools) Program to develop and implement an amphibian oriented Service Learning Project (SLP) for K12 schools.