Wilderness

Learn more about wilderness benefits, wilderness protection and preservation, wilderness recreation, and more with a variety of Natural Inquirer resources. Browse by topic, grade band, and resource type.

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    Richard Straight, Lead Agroforester & Technology Transfer

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Richard Straight Collector Card
    • M.S., Iowa State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I am forester who has specialized in agroforestry. My primary responsibilities are to promote agroforestry to the natural resource management community and provide them with educational materials and training.
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    Kevin T. Smith, Plant Physiologist

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Dr. Kevin T. Smith Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Georgia
    • Forest Service Scientist
    • As a plant physiologist, I study how plants and fungi capture energy, grow, protect themselves, and eventually die.  I also study beneficial microorganisms in the forest.
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    Kathy Smith, Research Laboratory Technician

    Forests & PlantsInsects
    Front cover of Kathy Smith Collector card
    • M.S., University of Florida
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a laboratory technician, I use molecular biology techniques to study forest pests and pathogens, as well as, how trees defend themselves against these pests and pathogens.
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    Nick Skowronski, Forest Ecologist

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Dr. Nick Skowronski Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Rutgers University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies how plants and animals interact within a forest community.  Some of these scientists are particularly interested in how forests cycle carbon and work to measure how carbon moves through these systems.
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    Callie Schweitzer, Research Forester

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Dr. Callie Schweitzer Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Penn State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A research forester studies how forests respond to disturbances. I am interested in trying to predict how trees grow, which tree species grow best, and how both plants and animals respond to events such as fire, drought, timber harvesting, and people!
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    Michael Schwartz, Conservation Geneticist

    Forests & PlantsWildlife
    Front cover of Dr. Michael Schwartz Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A conservation geneticist examines the DNA found in cells of every species to learn many secretive facts about these species.
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    Paul Schaberg, Research Plant Physiologist

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Dr. Paul Schaberg Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Vermont
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant physiologist studies the biology of how plants work.  These studies are often done to determine if a part of a plant is not working or is causing the plant problems.  An example includes low air temperatures causing injury and poor growth.
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    Lindsey Rustad, Forest Ecologist

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Dr. Lindsey Rustad Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Maine
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies the interrelated patterns and processes of vegetation, animals, energy, water and nutrients in forests.
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    Alejandro Royo, Ecologist

    Forests & PlantsWildlife
    Front cover of Dr. Alejandro Royo Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Pittsurgh
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Ecologists study how interactions among organisms within communities and environmental factors influence the diversity, distribution, and dynamics of species.
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    Lara Roman, Research Ecologist

    Forests & Plants
    Front cover of Dr. Lara Roman Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a research ecologist, I study the ecology of trees in cities, towns, and suburbs.