Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2006, Theatre Arts

The thesis documents the author's process of developing an educational live wildlife show. Three main aspects of the process are examined in three of the five chapters: writing the show script; the actor's performance process; and the tasks of training and handling live animals in a show. The first chapter introduces the thesis by describing how many wildlife shows and spectacles in twentieth century America have evolved from mere human entertainment to tools used to educate the public about ecological natural history. Finally, Chapter Five summarizes the previous four chapters and makes a case for the important role that educational wildlife shows play in the field of environmental conservation.

Committee: James Slowiak (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2017, Environmental Sciences

The following report summarizes my internship with Brukner Nature Center (BNC) in Troy, Ohio from January through May, 2016. This internship served as partial fulfillment of the Master of Environmental Science degree from the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability at Miami University. I actively assisted with wildlife conservation practices in the disciplines of preservation, education, and rehabilitation. My responsibilities regarding preservation included trail maintenance, wildlife food and shelter supplementation, invasive species control to improve habitat and wildlife diversity, and participation in research projects. My responsibilities involving education included teaching of natural history to multiple age and social groups as well as caring for and handling resident wildlife ambassadors used for educational purposes. My rehabilitation duties included lawful intake procedures and care of injured and/or orphaned wildlife for eventual release back into the wild. In addition, my project was to assist in the development of BNC's breeding bird banding station through the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship program, which included siting, mapping, assessing, constructing, and preparing the station.

Committee: David Russell PhD (Advisor); Hand Vincent PhD (Committee Member); Cummins Hays PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Conservation; Environmental Science; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2003, Environmental Sciences

My internship with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge focused on providing assistance to the Public Use department through the creation of and participation in environmental education and interpretive programs, creation of a summer camp for local children, and revision of existing publications. I was also involved in providing assistance to the Biology and Fire departments in selective projects including endangered species management and prescribed burning. My contribution to ONWR will help them further their progress in establishing a formal environmental education program and also support their ongoing management activities.

Committee: Adolph Greenberg (Advisor) Subjects: Environmental Sciences