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Karen E. Hodges University of British Columbia Okanagan |
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Ecology In society: policy, outreach, media contacts, and planning activities
As an educator, I am committed to teaching students sound scientific approaches to ecological problems. Because many of the ecological and conservation problems facing society today require complex solutions that involve people from many different communities, I am also committed to working on committees and projects where scientific knowledge is applied to real-world problems. Strong science is useful in setting policies such as land use zoning, management of at-risk species, and forestry practices.
I therefore engage in a variety of science-related activities beyond teaching and publishing research in scientific journals. I also encourage my students to become active participants as science contributes to policy and management decisions. Some examples of relevant activities are listed below.
Activities outside the university
Fellow, Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, 2006. This program provides academic scientists with tools for more effective communication with the public, media, businesses, environmental non-governmental organizations, management agencies, and policy-makers.
Member, Terrestrial Mammals Subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), 2005-2012. COSEWIC is responsible for requesting and reviewing biological information to determine whether to recommend that species be listed as at-risk under the Species at Risk Act. The subcommittees are composed of people with relevant taxonomic and scientific expertise.
Chair, Science Team, South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program (SOSCP), 2005-2008. SOSCP is a consortium of groups interested in conservation activities in this unique and threatened region of Canada. The Science Team provides scientific information of use to other SOSCP teams and the partner organizations comprising SOSCP.
Outreach to non-scientific audiences
I have also enjoyed several opportunities to provide scientific information to the public or to journalists. Examples of these activities include:
Instructor, Yellowstone Institute Course on lynx and snowshoe hare ecology, Yellowstone National Park.
Contributor: Snowshoe hare, Hinterland Who’s Who, Canadian Wildlife Service.
Coverage in the Media
Okanagan Now, CHBC TV interview with Mike Roberts. Aired Sept 24, 2006. Katy White and I were interviewed about her M.Sc. research on Great Basin Gophersnakes at one of her study sites.
Leech, S. Spring 2006. Defining “critical habitat.” LINK (published by FORREX) 7(3): 8-9. (Profiles some of my work on critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act). http://www.forrex.org/publications/link/link.asp
Repanshek, K. December 2003. The missing lynx. Wyoming Wildlife 18-25. (Profiles Yellowstone area lynx-snowshoe hare issues).
Dr. Karen E. Hodges
Associate Professor, Biology
3333 University Way
University of British Columbia Okanagan
Kelowna B.C. V1V 1V7, Canada
Phone: 250 807-8763
Fax: 250 807-8005
karen.hodges@ubc.ca
Last reviewed 
10/21/2011 1:10:38 PM
