Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The new Ecological Restoration non-thesis MS degree concentration for which this grant was sought has been created and successfully launched in the University of Florida's School of Forest Resources and Conservation. In November 2010 the concentration was approved officially by the University of Florida. In December 2011 the program was granted self-funded status for qualifying students, meaning that we are now able to establish a tuition rate for non-resident students that equals that of Florida residents, so we expect our capture of the market for the program to grow considerably. There are currently (March 2012) sixteen MS students enrolled in the program and two others have already graduated. Most of these students are working professionals in the field of ecological restoration, the target group the program was created for. Six new online courses were created as follows: FOR 5157 Ecosystem restoration principles and practice, taught twice since fall 2009 FOR 6934 Ecology and restoration of invaded ecosystem, taught twice since fall 2010 FOR 6934 Watershed restoration and management, taught twice since spring 2010 HOS 6932 Plant materials for conservation and restoration, taught for the first time in spring 2011 ENV 6932 Adaptive restoration planning, taught twice since fall 2010 NRE 586 Ecological restoration of hardwood forest ecosystems, taught twice since fall 2010 Two existing online courses were adapted and added to the ecological restoration program: FOR 5159 Ecology and restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem, taught three times since spring 2008 FOR 6934 Agroforestry in the southeastern US, taught for the first time in spring 2012 One existing traditional classroom course was converted to online and added to the ecological restoration program: FOR 6934 Natural resource policy and economics, taught once since fall 2011 Previous to official UF approval of the MS degree concentration in late 2010 we were not able to engage in marketing, so the current enrollment is due to word of mouth, phone and email inquiries, and web searches. Now that approval and self-funded status have been received, we are planning a marketing effort to begin 2012 that will include Google adwords, Facebook paid ads, conference program packet brochures, and journal ads. This should grow enrollment substantially. Two websites have been created to supply information to prospective students: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/distance_ed/index.html and http://www.distance.ufl.edu/ecological-restoration In October 2009 the PI and co-PI (Jose and Bannister) made a recruiting visit to Alabama A&M University where they met with the AAMU co-PI (Dimov) and 9 students in two classes. FAMU co-PI (Onokpise) and his assistant made two visits to UF to get training in distance education and online teaching practices. PARTICIPANTS: PI Shibu Jose wrote and submitted the proposal, arranged the overall curriculum with the co-PIs, and promoted development of the ecological restoration degree concentration within the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. Dr. Jose left the University of Florida in 2009 at which time co-PI Leda Kobziar replaced him as PI. She has since played a major role in developing the proposal for self-funded status, responded to potential student inquiries, and has co-taught the Ecology and restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem course. Co-PI Michael Bannister was responsible for the overall daily functioning of the program, responded to students, made sure that courses were being delivered as expected, trained faculty in online teaching methods, assisted in posting course content on the UF course management system, supervised development of the web site, and was instrumental in developing the self-funded proposal. Co-PI Deborah Miller co-taught the Ecology and restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem course with Dr. Kobziar. Co-PI Carrie Reinhart Adams developed and taught the Ecosystem restoration principles and practice course and co-developed and co-taught the Plant materials for conservation and restoration course with co-PI Hector Perez. Co-PI Matt Cohen developed and taught the Watershed restoration and management course. Co-PI Mark Brown developed and taught the Adaptive restoration planning course. Co-PI Janaki Alavalapati left the University of Florida in 2008 and was not able to function in the project. He was not replaced as a co-PI, however his function was replaced by Damian Adams, who developed and taught the Natural resource policy and economics course. Co-PI Oghenekome Onokpise (FAMU) assisted in initial development and teaching of an exotic invasive plants course Co-PI Luben Dimov developed and taught the Ecological restoration of hardwood forest ecosystems at Alabama A&M University. TARGET AUDIENCES: The principle target audience was place-bound working professionals in natural resource management positions and most of the current and graduated students in the ecological restoration online program fall into that category. Eighteen students have enrolled in the degree program as of spring 2012, and we anticipate significant growth after the marketing program begins in mid-year, as well as expansion of the program to a national level. All of these students have been enrolling in the online courses developed through this grant. No major changes were experienced during the grant period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
This grant has had an important influence on teaching policy and practice in the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC). It was an important stimulus that led to the approval of both a new MS non-thesis online degree program and to the approval of the new concentration in Ecological Restoration. This was the first online degree program offered by SFRC, and partly due to its pioneering role and success SFRC has also developed an online Master of Fisheries in Aquatic Sciences to begin in fall 2012, a MS non-thesis concentration in Geomatics (now being considered for self-funded status), and a possible MS non-thesis online concentration in human dimensions of natural resource management. The Ecological Restoration program has increased the knowledge and competence of eighteen working professionals in Florida, two of whom have already graduated. This will lead to an improvement in the way they conduct their work and benefit natural resource management. We anticipate an expansion of these impacts to other regions of the US as enrollment grows due to systematic marketing beginning fall 2012.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09

Outputs
The overall objective of this project is to develop a web-based interdisciplinary graduate degree program (a non-thesis M.S. degree with specialization in ecological restoration and a Graduate Certificate) in ecological restoration. The project is progressing well. The PI and Co-PIs met multiple times during the reporting year to plan activities and discuss the progress of the project. The project has two specific objectives: (1) Develop seven online classes that will form the core curriculum for the web-based graduate program, and (2) Initiate a student recruitment program targeted toward underrepresented groups such as women and minorities in collaboration with two 1890 institutions; one from Florida (Florida A&M University) and another from Alabama (Alabama A&M University). We targeted both the objectives in year two and five of the seven online courses were developed. Two of them were offered with a total enrollment of 24 students. All remaining courses (three at UF; one at Florida A&M University and one at Alabama A&M University) would go online in January 2010. The first batch of M.S. students were admitted for Fall 2009 with a total enrollment of three and another 12 student applications were processed for potential admission to the Spring 2010 semester. A program website has been created and is available at http://sfrc.ufl.edu/distance_ed/index.html. A graduate student has been hired at UF and is working on helping in the production of online course materials and surveys. Another student is working at Florida A&M University to help develop lecture material. A student recruitment program was conducted at Alabama A&M university by both UF and Alabama A&M faculty in the fall 2009 to recruit minority students into the graduate program. Findings from a preliminary survey about online educational experience were presented at the Society of American Foresters National Convention in October 2009. PRODUCTS: The project so far has resulted in (1) five online courses, (2) a major program website with supplemental course materials for all the core courses, (3) course packets with necessary reading materials for all seven courses, (4) an online M.S. degree in ecological restoration, and (5) an online graduate certificate in ecological restoration. Additional products will include (1) three refereed publications (one each on curriculum development, online graduate program, comparison of student learning through online program vs. on-campus program), (2) 1 PhD dissertation and 1M.S. thesis and (3) ultimately, "society ready graduates", including students from underrepresented groups, who can help the efforts of natural resource agencies and private companies in restoring damaged or degraded ecosystems in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world. OUTCOMES: The major outcome of this project will be "society ready graduates", including graduates from underrepresented groups who can help the efforts of natural resource agencies in restoring damaged and degraded ecosystems in the Southeast and elsewhere in the country. Other outcomes will include (1) an increase in enrollment of graduate students in courses related to ecological restoration, (2) increased number of optional graduate level courses available for graduate students across many disciplines, and (3) opportunity for place bound students and professionals (including school teachers) to obtain a Masters degree or graduate certificate in ecological restoration. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination activities included (1) creating a website for the program (2) advertising and promoting the program by contacting colleagues and professional organizations involved in ecological restoration in the southeast and nationally (3) advertising the program through newsletters and targeted mailing and email, (4) Presenting flyers and posters at the Society for Ecological Restoration, Ecological Society of America, and the Society of American Foresters, and (5) Conducting a recruiting seminar and workshop at Alabama A&M University to recruit underrepresented students. Further dissemination of the results of the program to the academic community, professional organizations, and landowners will be done through the three peer-reviewed journal articles listed as outputs, by co-PIs participating in meetings of their professional organizations (presentations, posters), the PI participating in the USDA CSREES project manager's meeting, and through departmental seminars, Websites (both departmental and course), and newsletters. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future plans include expanding the scope of the degree program to include a thesis option for students who want to pursue a research project. The current online M.S. degree is solely a non-thesis option. The thesis option may become available by summer 2010.

Impacts
This program will definitely have an impact on the professional workforce in ecological restoration. The shortage of qualified restoration ecologists will be alleviated to a certain extent as graduate from this program start entering the workforce. For example, the the three students currently enrolled in the program are working professionals who needed the online degree to further their knowledge in ecological restoration. We envision this program being recognized nationally and internationally for its quality and the quality and diversity of its graduates and becoming a model for similar programs elsewhere. Once other universities also start similar programs, there will be a large number of qualified graduates available so that the increasing need of restoration professionals can be met. All these products and outcomes will tremendously help advance the educational and research endeavors in restoration ecology of degraded and damaged ecosystems in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.

Publications

• Jose, S. and Bannister, M. 2009. Evaluation of an online graduate program in ecological restoration. Society of American Foresters National Convention. September 30 - October 4 2009, Orlando, FL.

Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08

Outputs
The overall objective of this project is to develop a web-based interdisciplinary graduate degree program (a non-thesis M.S. degree with specialization in ecological restoration and a Graduate Certificate) in ecological restoration. The project is progressing well. The PI and Co-PIs met multiple times during the reporting year to plan activities and discuss the progress of the project. The project has two specific objectives: (1) Develop seven online classes that will form the core curriculum for the web-based graduate program, and (2) Initiate a student recruitment program targeted toward underrepresented groups such as women and minorities in collaboration with two 1890 institutions; one from Florida (Florida A&M University) and another from Alabama (Alabama A&M University). We targeted the first objective in year one and three of the seven online courses were developed. One of them was offered for the first time with an enrollment of 22 students. The remaining four courses (two at UF; one at Florida A&M University and one at Alabama A&M University) are currently being developed and would go online during year two of the project (spring and summer 2009). The proposed curriculum for the online degree is currently being considered by the graduate programs committee of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation and an approval is expected in late fall 2008. A survey conducted among natural resource agencies in Florida has identified about 110 potential students interested in enrolling in the program. Admission will begin in spring 2009. A program website has been created and will be launched in mid fall 2008. A graduate student has been hired at UF and is working on helping in the production of online course materials and surveys. Another student is being recruited at Florida A&M University to help develop lecture material. PRODUCTS: The project will result in (1) seven online courses, (2) a major program website with supplemental course materials for all the core courses, (3) virtual CD-ROM field tours for all seven courses, (4) course packets with necessary reading materials for all seven courses, (5) an online M.S. degree in ecological restoration, (6) an online graduate certificate in ecological restoration, (7) three refereed publications (one each on curriculum development, online graduate program, comparison of student learning through online program vs. on-campus program), (8) three M.S. theses and (8) ultimately, "society ready graduates", including students from underrepresented groups, who can help the efforts of natural resource agencies and private companies in restoring damaged or degraded ecosystems in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world. OUTCOMES: The major outcome of this project will be "society ready graduates", including graduates from underrepresented groups who can help the efforts of natural resource agencies in restoring damaged and degraded ecosystems in the Southeast and elsewhere in the country. Other outcomes will include (1) an increase in enrollment of graduate students in courses related to ecological restoration, (2) increased number of optional graduate level courses available for graduate students across many disciplines, and (3) opportunity for place bound students and professionals (including school teachers) to obtain a Masters degree or graduate certificate in ecological restoration. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The proposed project also has the potential to create benefits that will extend beyond the boundaries of University of Florida, Alabama A&M University and Florida A&M University. For example, once online courses are developed, they can be used as educational tool by other institutions in the Southeast or elsewhere in the country. This will serve as a model to develop materials for in-service training of county extension faculty or use in landowner workshops. The CD-ROM virtual tour can be used as an educational tool for any restoration ecology course anywhere in the world. And, we will make it available to other institutions and individuals for a nominal fee. Peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings will further enhance the visibility of this project. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future plans include expanding the scope of the degree program to include a thesis option for students who want to pursue a research project. The current online M.S. degree is solely a non-thesis option. The first batch of students is expected to enroll in summer 2009. The thesis option may become available by summer 2010.

Impacts
This program will definitely have an impact on the professional workforce in ecological restoration. The shortage of qualified restoration ecologists will be alleviated to a certain extent as graduate from this program start entering the workforce. We envision this program being recognized nationally and internationally for its quality and the quality and diversity of its graduates and becoming a model for similar programs elsewhere. Once other universities also start similar programs, there will be a large number of qualified graduates available so that the increasing need of restoration professionals can be met. All these products and outcomes will tremendously help advance the educational and research endeavors in restoration ecology of degraded and damaged ecosystems in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.

Publications

• No publications reported this period