This past July, Team Marine senior, Adrienne Hino, was awarded an Earthwatch fellowship in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she researched, collected, and analyzed quantitative data on the nest shrubs and surrounding shrubs of songbirds, which contributed to a soon-to-be published scientific study addressing how nest shrub density affects nest success in yellow warblers, black-headed grosbeaks, American robins, and song sparrows in the Jackson Hole area. Using nest shrub density as an indication of how much human development exists in areas surrounding songbird habitats, the objective of the study was to measure the extent to which anthropogenic effects are taking on songbird populations and the environment. Her fellowship required collecting data and observing songbird habitats. She also gave a formal presentation to the Teton Science School in regards to the results of the 11 days she worked on the study. Adrienne often shares how much pride she takes in her contribution to the project because, while she was only able to work on it for 11 days, she was able to see firsthand the devastating effects humans are having on the environment from a very unique perspective. She continues to encourage her fellow team members to seek similar opportunities, “My fellowship experience was extremely educationally rewarding because it allowed me to conduct research outside of a traditional classroom setting and make a meaningful contribution to science. This experience meant so much to me because it offered me the opportunity, just as Team Marine does, to merge my love for nature and my passion for science. It wasn’t until my trip in Wyoming, where I was immersed in nature, that I really realized the vitality of preserving our environment.” Being able to be within nature, she wasn’t just able to recognize a need for preservation of our environment, but she was also able to develop a true appreciation for and share a connection with nature. Reflecting back on the most valuable aspects of her trip, Adrienne expresses, “This experience has really taught me the importance in having the utmost patience, compassion, and pride in everything you do. I hope to use these values to create positive change in the world, as I continue to combat environmental issues.” Finally, she says, “Thank you so much to Renee Klein for encouraging me to apply for the fellowship, The Earthwatch Institute for providing me with such an amazing opportunity, and the Teton Science School for providing me such an amazing learning environment.”
