The Governor's School on the Environment
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Pomona, New Jersey

Core Courses

Invasion Biology: Todd Klawinski
It is the year 2127. Gypsy moths flit across rays of light that stream through the tree canopy. White-tailed deer frolic among trees of heaven, which are entwined with wisteria vines. To the untrained observer, this scene might appear to be a lush green forest, teeming with life; however, it is actually a site of biological death. The cause of this bleak future; invasive species, which overrun natural ecosystems and impede the growth of native species. Invasive species have become the second leading factor I the loss of biodiversity and a growing concern among the global society. If unchecked, they have the potential to transmute our beautiful Garden State into a desolate Barren State. We'll focus much of our time and experiences on research, botany, fieldwork, and reclamation ecology at local invasion sights. Through the years here at Governor's School, we have dedicated our time to investigating this escalating threat. Our main focus is on public awareness by which we have discovered that, despite the seeming hopelessness of the situation, there are many ways we can combat the spread of invasive plants and animals. Furthermore, by educating the public about the consequences and solutions to this problem, we can prevent our world from becoming a biodesert.

Wild Writing: Christine Flanagan
Environmental activist and writer John Muir insisted that outdoor adventures would "save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action." For Muir, as well as many other environmentalists, the adventure wasn't complete until it was set on paper. In this course, we will read some of the best environmental writers, discuss their writing techniques, then try some adventures of our own - adventures both in the great outdoors and on the page. Our explorations will reach from the Pine Barrens to the coastal wetlands and beach areas. We'll study writers who are notable for capturing the spirit of their landscapes: John McPhee (The Pine Barrens), Jack Connor (Season at the Point: The Birds and Birders of Cape May), John Muir (The Wild Muir), John and Mildred Teal (Life and Death of the Salt Marsh), and more. Finally, we'll present our writings - wild as they are - to our fellow scholars.

Investigations in Biodiversity: Ron Smith
Perhaps the greatest indicators of ecological welfare and sensitivity are the millions of other species who share this planet with us. We know that our actions have brought about the demise of some and that many others are suffering serious declines in population and impairments in their community interactions. In this course we will study issues, concepts and experiments involving population and community ecology. We will review case studies of endangered species, non-native community members and proposed re-introductions. The basic approaches and experiments focusing on understanding population number, dispersal and density will be employed in the field as will procedures designed to reveal community interactions and structure. Field trips will take us to the upland forests of the Pinelands to investigate the curious pygmy Pines, to marshes and swamps at night to document amphibians and to the productive estuary of the Mullica River and Great Bay to study invertebrate populations.  In an attempt to successfully monitor the health of wild populations and, consequently, ecosystems, we must practice and develop useful methods in the field, apply them to issues of conservation, and make land and resource use proposals and decisions based on the interactions and functioning of species within communities.

Balancing Needs - Land Use Planning and Management: Mike Crowell
Have you ever wondered what your neighborhood or town would be like if the planning was left up to you? What would you change? Why? Would you increase open space, reroute traffic patterns, limit development, create regional growth centers, or just erase the landscape and start over? How we view land use determines our happiness and the health of the Earth.  As the human population grows the demands we place on the land for living space, natural resources, food, water, and recreation will stretch its ability to continue to provide for us. Arguably, this makes land use the thread that ties all environmental issues together. Can a balance be found? Aldo Leopold has said, "We shall never achieve harmony with the land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve but to strive." In this course we will consider the dichotomy that appears to exist between our happiness and the health of the land. We will strive to discover if they are mutually exclusive or if they can be realized simultaneously? To accomplish this we will understand land use patterns and the need for land use planning, explore the principals of land use planning, and practice land use planning on local and regional levels. The methods we will employ are quantifying and qualifying data gathered from research and the field, the latest technologies like GPS and GIS, as well as the help of experts in our various areas of study. Remember, Aldo Leopold also said, "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."

The World Water Crisis and Water Pollution Biology: Kevin Wolbach
This course examines one of the world's most important environmental issues, that current status of our freshwater resources. We begin by studying the biotic and abiotic aspects of freshwater resources. Our examination will take into account the local, regional and global impacts that human activities have on this precious commodity. Included in our discussions will be the detection and remediation of water pollution. We will also take into account the laws relating to water and water use economics and ethics.  Field trips to local sewage treatment plant, landfill, and trash to stream plant will be used to gain deeper understanding of the processes of human impact. This course will include a comprehensive exploration of the major aquatic habitats of New Jersey, including the streams of the Pine Barrens region and the on-campus lake.

Coastal Ecology: Matt Oster
Coastal Oceanography focuses on the area of the earth's surface where land, ocean and atmosphere meet and interact. The overall goal of this class is to determine at regional and global scales: the nature of that dynamic interaction and how changes in various components of the Earth system are affecting coastal zones.  This course offers a cross section of the natural history, biology, chemistry, physics and geology of the New Jersey Coast. Emphasis will be placed on Man's confrontation against nature at every level. Scholars will discuss the geological genesis, morph dynamics and shore protection methods of the barrier islands. We will include the identification of the wetlands and shoreline flora and fauna and investigate how human population and development increases are affecting their survival. We will discover the effects of non-point pollutants on organisms living in a saline environment. Students will complete this course of study with a better understanding and appreciation of the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.

Natural Resources and Sustainable Energy: Barbara Haulenbeek
Earth's resources are the foundation of modern civilization. Almost every facet of our lives is impacted by energy resources. We will discover where the world's nonrenewable resource reserves are, who produces and consumes these resources, the products derived from these resources, and the problems associated with these resources. Domestic oil production is declining and the United States reliance on imported oil is increasing. America will be faced with difficult decisions that address the strategic, economic, and political consequences of its energy shortage. Therefore, we will study OPEC, its history, members and political implications for a future where petroleum products are acquired. Many geoscientists are actively engaged in mitigating the health impact of producing and burning fossil fuels. Sustainable energy sources are no longer playing a minor role in our country. Whether we recommend to continue importing oil or develop our renewable resources, we must collaborate with the public health community, scientists, and politicians.

Natural/Urban Ecosystems - Contrasting Perspectives: Steve Michaelchuck
Natural/Urban Ecosystems class will act as a unique "lens" through which a student can study diversity and interrelations in natural/urban communities, biomes, and ecosphere. The student will gain valuable insight into complex issues concerning ecosystems, and come away wit a greater understanding of our "global village" - and its impact on their lives. Natural/Urban Ecosystems strives to take those contemporary environmental issues of today, analyze them, and show historical backgrounds and understandings, so that the citizen of tomorrow can actively participate in and intelligently seek the solutions to these problems. Humans are rearranging their habitat and creating new landscapes dominated by urban places. This rapid change has resulted in stress on both persons involved and the land itself.  This course will examine natural and urban ecosystems and will look at the many problems that threaten their very survival. Students will be actively involved in seeking answers to these problems and come to recognize their complex nature. Each week our ecosystems class will revolve around an action project. This experiential approach to learning will involve students in extensive critical thinking and problem solving.