The UofM is the only public school in the region to offer a course that includes the certification, which is developed and endorsed by Ducks Unlimited. The class — titled Ecology Conservation & Management — is taught by Drs. Jennifer Mandel and Shawn Brown for the first time this spring. Mandel serves as director of the Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE) at the UofM and Brown as associate director. Memphis.”
“The Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation and Management Certification is a powerful tool that teaches students how conservation benefits wildlife and people alike,” said Mark Horobetz, Ducks Unlimited manager of national R3 programs. “Not only do they gain valuable knowledge, but the certification gives them a competitive edge over other candidates once they start their careers after graduation. We thank the University of Memphis for investing in their students and the natural resources industry.”
“We’re at a pivotal moment — our growing population and increasing demand for resources really do call for innovative solutions.”
-Dr. Jennifer Mandel
The UofM is one of seven schools in the country partnering with Ducks Unlimited on the certification, including Louisiana State University, Vincennes University, Reedley College, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Mount Olive and Union University.
“Ducks Unlimited is one of the largest organizations working to conserve, restore and manage wetland habitats in the world and they are headquartered right here in Memphis,” said Brown, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. “Through their efforts, countless acres of ecologically important wetlands have been protected. We hope that this will be the start of a great partnership that may lead to further educational and job opportunities for our students.”
The University celebrated the establishment of the course during its first day of class on Jan. 22, which was attended by UofM President Bill Hardgrave and Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam.
“We’re at a pivotal moment — our growing population and increasing demand for resources really do call for innovative solutions,” Mandel said. “Our students, ACRE and the University are committed to leading these conversations and developing solutions.”
The course will provide students with training and expertise they can use when applying for jobs. Led by UofM biologists, it provides a unique perspective and knowledge of how environments function, as well as how to better conserve and manage them. Trips are planned for fieldwork opportunities, including to the Wolf River Conservancy. Since its announcement, the course has generated enthusiasm and is full for the spring semester with 25 students enrolled.
“We are very excited that this course has garnered a lot of interest,” Brown said. “This is important because it shows that there is demand for courses addressing real-world problems from our students. Often, when a new course is developed, it takes a few cycles to develop this much demand. We especially are excited about the interest not only by biology majors but students across the University of Memphis.”
