Smell the sea & feel the sky...

Let your soul and spirit fly'...

...into the mystic
                                         ---* Z.B.B. > Van Morrison                       


I N T R O D U C T I O N & GOOD VIBES

**//** I am an avid believer that things happen for a reason.  Not only is life so diverse and complex with imaginable wonders, but so extraordinary.  In what ever shape or form, I truly believe every thing is connected.  Humans as a species, as well as all forms of life on this planet have a deep connection with the environment.  Ecologically speaking, every species on the planet has a significant role in driving earth's extremely complex system.  For this reason its very important for humans to logically decide to turn the tables in a sustainable fashion in order to respect what's much greater than individuals like ourselves.  This requires socially diverse interactions between humans in order to make effective Eco-friendly decisions that allows everyone to benefit towards prosperity. 

I am a proud member of Stockton University, and major in Environmental Science.  Gaining as much knowledge as I can about the environment here has humbled and fascinated me as I continue to search for my niche.  Having the opportunity to learn and understand how crucially essential it is to educate society about environmental impacts and connections toward a higher quality of life has certainly been remarkable for me.  With that being said, I want to thank all my professors, mentors, and peers in the ENVL / SUST / BIO program for aiding my progression in this field of study.

*** GOOD VIBES * EXPERIENCES * COURSES * RECOMMENDATIONS ***

  1. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - 12 day Stockton University Service Learning expedition with colleagues and professors {2013} was extremely significant for me to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of ecological systems.  I highly recommend anyone to raise their senses at this uniquely diverse region of the Northwest United States.  Here's some of thereally cool things I learned and appreciate from this awesome experience.
  • Lake Trout Damage Control in Yellowstone Lake- Listening and discussing research with wildlife / fish biologists on Yellowstone Lake's threatened and declining Cut Throat trout populations proves how important it is for humans to cater disturbances we create. Historically the introduction of the Lake Trout in this amazing freshwater ecosystem was intended for larger catches yielded from human recreational fishing. This invasion sparked the initiation and disruption of ecological issues in Yellowstone Lake, ultimately escalating a chain reaction of environmental issues. The native cut throats are a keystone species here. Not only do the cut throat trout migrate from this lake down the Yellowstone River and disperse throughout waterways of the Northwest Region, but they magnificently connect bonding wildlife interactions. They feed some of the world's greatest predators like the Grizzly Bear and the infamous wolves of Yellowstone, as well as provide vital resources in the linked complex nutrient cycle specific and necessary for the uniqueness and prosperity of all life in this region. On the other hand, the non-native Lake Trout's competitive aggression toward overwhelming predation of Cut Throat juveniles in the Lake, as well as other stress factors influenced by this fish is having detrimental affects in the ecosystem. The park biologist presenting data explained how managing Lake Trout is an ongoing job and hard work and effort are essential aspects of effective conservation. Wildlife managers, commercial fisherman, anglers, scientists etc. collaboratively have been teaming up and using multiple strategies / evolving approaches in the challenge to adaptively manage and mitigate the rising Lake Trout populations. Importantly, Lake Trout occupy certain depths of this vast lake, specifically deeper depth levels than the Cut Throat. So finding the best method(s) to reduce invasive populations can be complicated, especially when the goal is preserving the restoration of natives species. With that in consideration, the netting systems used to catch the Lake Trout at deeper depths is also occupying the swallower depths for the Cut Throat, in turn reducing Cut Throat populations by being trapped in the nets intended for the Lake Trout. This is why the nets are repeatedly checked and monitored, where salvaging Cut Throats is possible and a great deal of concern. You see one little disruption like invasive introduction for human recreation, can cause havoc on a system supported by mutual interactions. Factually, every action has a reaction and approaching the long term benefits before making short term decisions is a general rule of thumb, but also effective approach toward balancing the impacts and roles we choose to play on this planet. Fascinating information!
  • Brucellosis & the Yellowstone Bison Perspectives & Stakeholders * Historically & Presently * Wolves of Yellowstone (states, ranchers, F&W, local communities, etc.)
  • Chemistry * Nutrient Value * Unique * Geothermal Processes * Calcite * Yellowstone River's Ecological Significance * MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGs
  • Mining Industry & Gold Rush * Natural Resources MONTANA
  • Cultural Perspectives * Climatic Transitions CODY, WYOMING

*** REMEMBER-ABLE / ESSENTIAL COURSES *** PROJECTS / REPORTS / TOPICS *** KNOWLEDGE PREVIEW ON MY PROGRESSION ***

Environmental ISSUES

  • Human Influenced Land Transformations & Burlington Co. NJ & ArcMAP GIS *Watershed Connections*
  • Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality & PRIMARY / SECONDARY PARAMETERS *Clean Air Act*
  • Water Quality & Trace Elements & Impervious Surfaces & Storm Water Discharge Management & PRIMARY / SECONDARY PARAMETERS
  • NJ Private Well Testing Proposal & Trace Elements *Clean Water Act* *Safe Drinking Water Act*
  • Rainwater Harvesting System Proposal for STOCKTON UNIVERSITY & Group Collaboration
  • Climate Change & Carbon EMISSIONS
  • SUPER STORM SANDY & Sea Level Increases & Hurricane Sandy Relief Program
  • Telemetry Data Analysis & Trends in NJ
  • Population Pyramid Analysis *US*Brazil*China*India*
  • Lake Fred Watershed Proposal
  • Ecological Footprint of Refined Coal Tar Based Seal Coat
  • Energy Solutions & Solar Wind
  • Jane Jacobs & Diversity's Importance in Effecting City Re-Development & Urban Planning
  • NJ State Planning Act
  • Salt Water Intrusion & Aquifer Tapping of Today's Society
  • Critical Data Analysis & Research

Regional Planning & Adirondack Service Learning Expedition

  • Glaciation & Regional Qualities of NJ
  • Gated Communities: a speculative scheme
  • Triple Bottom Line & Social Ecology
  • Transfer of Development Rights & Purchase of Development Rights
  • Urban Sprawl & Smart Growth
  • Comprehensive Management Plans *Pinelands Commission, NJ*
  • Northeast Forest & Wilderness Areas & [L.U.R.C.] Land Use Regulation Committee *MAINE*
  • Lake Tahoe Initiative *CA & NV*
  • Adirondacks & Acid Rain & Conservation Easements & Historical BLUE Line
  • Urban Growth Boundaries & Rest of the Planning Toolbox
  • Effective Regional Planning [*Local*State*Federal*] **BOULDER, CO** **LANCASTER, PA** **OREGON** **HAWAII** **PINELAND's 1stNATIONAL RESERVE**

Wildlife Management

  • NJ Black Bear & Coyote Management Case Study
  • Riparian Effects & Stream Bank Cover & Semi-natural Stream System & Atlantic Salmon
  • E.S.A. & Timber Industry & Owl
  • Forest Management Plan & Wildlife & Prescribed Burns in Pinelands
  • Florida Everglades & Python Destruction & Adaptive Management
  • NJ Damage Control & White Tail Deer Populations
  • Small Mammal Trapping & Capture / Mark-Recapture
  • Stakeholders & Human Dimensions of Wildlife

Environmental Geology

  • Natural Disaster Planning & HAZARD CITY
  • Earthquake Damage Assessments & Effective Responses
  • Tornado Responses
  • Hurricane Responses & Evacuation PLANS

Invasive Species Ecology

  • Northern Snakehead Study, **NJ** **DELAWARE RIVER**
  • Algal Blooms & Great Lakes & Zebra Mussel
  • Native and Non-Native Species Interactions
  • Human Heath & Invasive Correlations

Ecological Principles

  • Stream Quality Assessments / Determinations & Native Insects & pH ***[insect capture / collection from multiple sites in Galloway, NJ]***
  • NJ Pineland's & PIne-Oak & Forest Identification & Health Determinations
  • Bio-Diversity of the Arctic Tundra **snowshoe hare / lynx**
  • Warblers Co-existence
  • Galapagos Island

Natural Resources Management & Law & Policy

  • N.E.P.A. & Environmental Impact Statements ***[Government Decision Making on Environmental Concerns]***
  • Eminent Domain [taking]
  • Clean Water Act [Regulation of Water Pollution]
  • Clean Air Act [Regulation of Air Pollution]
  • Safe Drinking Water Act
  • R.C.R.A. & C.E.R.C.L.A. [Regulation of Hazardous Wastes]
  • Green Tags & TAX INCENTIVES
  • ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT [E.S.A.]

Environmental Design

  • U.S.B.C. & L.E.E.D. **FUTURE of SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT**
  • Environmental Aesthetics
  • Environmental Ingenuity & Landscape Architects & Engineering & Effective Designs
  • Erosion Preventing Strategies & Tools *[Willow Live Stakes]*
  • Socially Diverse Interactions by Environmental Design

Environmental Health

  • Invasive Insects Threat to Public Health
  • Household Chemical Use and Water Quality
  • Regulations on Food Production & Sanitation for Industries

**OTHER CHOICES of STUDY / COURSES TAKEN**

  1. Astronomy
  2. Chemistry (Organic, 1 & 2)
  3. Calculus
  4. Statistics
  5. Geology
  6. Geography
  7. Art Color & Design
  8. Critical Thinking
  9. Schools of the Future
  10. Philosophy
  11. Biology & MANY MORE...