{"id":37486,"date":"2024-10-15T13:13:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T17:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=37486"},"modified":"2024-10-16T10:28:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:28:31","slug":"the-planet-is-our-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/2024\/10\/the-planet-is-our-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Planet is Our Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

At the College of Natural Resources, students regularly embark on global expeditions to explore key topics related to their majors \u2014 from conservation biology to sport management to paper science and engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These study abroad programs not only allow students to develop highly-valued skills that will allow them to make significant contributions to communities and industries, but to also experience new places and cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to semester-long programs offered by the NC State Study Abroad Office, the College of Natural Resources coordinates a variety of short-term study abroad programs for undergraduate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each short-term study abroad program is led by faculty members from one of the three departments within the College of Natural Resources. Check out a general overview of these programs below, along with student testimonials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forestry and Environmental Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources coordinates a variety of study abroad programs<\/a> for students to gain hands-on experience in wildlife conservation, forestry and other subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the FW 445: Human Dimensions of Conservation Biology in the Bahamas<\/a> program, for example, NC State professors Nils Peterson and Brian Langerhans recently led students on a two-week journey to Andros Island to conduct research on blue holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue holes are essentially water-filled caverns or sinkholes that are open to the surface. They not only provide habitat for rare and specialized species, but they also serve as important water resources and sources of tourism for local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andros Island is home to more than 300 blue holes. Many of them remain largely unexplored, making it difficult to assess their full ecological significance. In fact, only a small percentage of blue holes are currently protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During their time on Andros Island, students measured a range of features across many blue holes (dissolved oxygen, turbidity, fish density, etc.) to quantify and evaluate the patterns and determinants of biodiversity in and around the aquatic ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students also enjoyed a number of other activities, including two days of snorkeling along the Andros Barrier Reef. The reef stretches for approximately 124 miles along the ocean floor, making it the third largest barrier reef in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n