Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems—GLADE—

at BSFS in 2009

What better way to learn about conservation than to live it? Sixteen environmentally-oriented teens will do just that when they spend a week this summer getting their hands dirty and their minds engaged in the Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems to be held at the Bull Shoals Field Station. This residential education program, referred to as GLADE and running from June 21-27, 2009 will target motivated southwest Missouri high school students who desire to impact their communities in the areas of environmental sciences and conservation leadership.

The GLADE project, a collaborative effort between the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society and Missouri State University, was recently named as a recipient of one of 41 nationwide innovative grants awarded by TogetherGreen, a National Audubon Society program funded by Toyota Motors. The GLADE grant of $25,728 will fund both an avian ecology-centered educational academy and efforts to restore Giant River Cane to the White River Glades and Woodlands Important Bird Area (IBA) within the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area.

"Each teen participating in the academy will develop the leadership skills and ecological knowledge to reach others and to make a positive difference in our natural environment," said Greg Swick, Director of GLADE. Celeste Prussia, BSFS manager, will serve as assistant director for the academy and contribute to the pro-gram curriculum.

Every aspect of the curriculum is designed to highlight an eco-logical issue specific to the Ozarks ecosystem with an underlying mission to restore habitat for endangered Missouri species such as Swainson’s Warbler and Bachman’s Sparrow. During the academy, students will 1) survey summer birds through mist-netting, banding, and birding excursions; 2)examine the effects of pre-scribed burns on Ozark ecosystems through vegetative inventory and invertebrate investigations; 3) monitor water quality of Ozark lakes and streams; 4) explore the unique Karst topography in caves and other geo-logical formations; 5) restore Giant Cane stands in an effort to attract Swainson’s Warblers and other songbirds; and 6) engage in activities designed to develop leadership and effective communication skills.

“Our long-term goals are to build a network of young conservation leaders and to develop a working model for youth conservation leadership development. We are excited about the possibilities,” added Dr. Janice Greene, Director of the Bull Shoals Field Station.

For more information, go to the GLADE website at www.greenleadershipacademy.