people & happenings
INAUGURAL BARNETT FELLOWSHIP NEARING COMPLETION
By Mina Burton , Barnett Fellow
ount Auburn Cemetery serves as an oasis for urban wildlife . In early
M spring , salamanders embark on their yearly journey to the Dell Pond to breed and lay eggs . As temperatures warm , dragonflies prowl the
water ’ s edge , flitting testily amid the reeds while turtles vie for prime log realestate nearby . Only after the gates close do bats and coyotes venture out into the night .
As human populations continue to grow , untouched habitats become increasingly rare . Nevertheless we can still find new ways to support wildlife . When pushed into closer proximity to humans , some creatures are able to adapt and even to thrive , but only when provided with the appropriate conditions . But what are these conditions ? Citizen science and biodiversity research gather vital data on the habitat preferences , patterns , and needs of various species . This knowledge is key to curating an ecologically diverse and hospitable environment .
Prior to the start of my Barnett Fellowship , my work at the Cemetery entailed creating site maps for its biodiversity and citizen science projects . My first invigorating weeks on the job centered heavily on meeting the researchers leading these projects , experts whose fields of study collectively paint a rich , detailed picture of biodiversity at Mount Auburn . By the last of these meetings , I had amassed an extensive collection of data , reports , and meeting notes . To keep myself on task , I typed up brief descriptions of each project and made a point of arranging and logging all the materials I received . What began as an organizational tactic ultimately evolved into the basis of my fellowship : developing a resource to showcase the many projects in Mount Auburn ’ s Citizen Science Naturalist program .
I initially envisioned this resource as a platform where researchers and Cemetery staff could collaborate and share data . The idea quickly snowballed into something broader . In speaking with staff , researchers , and eventually citizen scientists themselves , I recognized the value in crafting an end-product that could be used not only by researchers but also by citizen scientists , students , Cemetery visitors , and the general public . It was at this point that I knew I wanted to build a website , “ Mount Auburn ’ s Citizen Science Naturalist Program .”
By late fall of 2022 , this website will be live for public access . It will provide detailed project overviews and site maps , display citizen scientists ’ photography and art , highlight key data and findings , and share upcoming volunteer opportunities . My intent is to provide a window into the program to those who may be less familiar with its aims and processes , and simultaneously to offer a degree of scientific depth for researchers , students , and existing participants .
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