Natural Resources and Society

Conservation Without Borders Endowment Enables Future Leaders of Conservation

The William J. McLaughlin & Nick Sanyal Conservation Without Borders endowment was created in memory and honor of two former University of Idaho professors, Bill McLaughlin (1949 – 2017) and Nick Sanyal of Natural Resources and Society. As teachers and conservationists, both Bill and Nick leave lasting legacies of not just changing the world themselves but empowering those who seek to do so. The endowment’s purpose is “to give our students an immersive experience in the conservation field, by rolling up their sleeves every day,” states Lee Vierling, department head of Natural Resources and Society and director of the Environmental Science Program. “This is just one localized example of how we are working to further our land grant mission – by having students interface with organizations who are out doing this work on the ground,” said Vierling. Sanyal speaks to how Palouse Land Trust (PLT) provides a comprehensive experience in a real-world learning environment. With organizations like PLT, “students can take ownership of the knowledge we make accessible to them. Students cannot do this through passive learning; they must be active members of a professional organization,” said Sanyal. Lovina Englund, Executive Director of PLT, U of I alumna (’05, M.S. ’07) and former CNR staff member, believes supporting interns makes her a thread to the next generation of conservation leaders. “As an alumna, it’s delightful to be able to pay it forward and give students – our next generation of conservation leaders — the opportunity to learn about private land ownership conservation in the Palouse landscape,” said Englund.

Visit uidaho.edu/cnr/departments/natural-resources-and-society

Making Outdoor Education Accessible

MOSS broadens K–12 outdoor education reach

The McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) at McCall Field Campus is expanding their reach to local K-12 public schools through graduate students and Americorps workers dedicated to environmental education. In the wake of the pandemic, hundreds of McCall-Donnelly School District students took their learning to the trails and shores of Lake Payette on the McCall Field Campus.

“Every year, I am amazed by the diversity of experiences, educational backgrounds and interests that make up our graduate cohorts. With a network, it is fantastic to see our graduate students connect with potential employers. This is how we change the world.”

GARY S. THOMPSON, MFC MARKETING AND LEADERSHIP COORDINATOR

Measuring Forest Carbon Offsets

Researchers revamp greenhouse gas accounting

Greg Latta speaks for the trees – or, for their role in offsetting carbon when meeting domestic greenhouse gas emission standards, that is. Carbon offset stakeholders will benefit from a collaborative study lead by Greg Latta, Associate Research Professor of Forest Economics and Director of the Policy Analysis Group. The effort is a part of the Forest Carbon Quantification Consortium consisting of researchers from University of Idaho, University of Maine, The Ohio State University, North Carolina State University, and previously, Texas A&M and Duke. It is generously supported by donors small and wide, including Amazon and Microsoft. The research is tackling a crucial problem: current methods of tracking market leakage in carbon offset programs rely on methodologies produced in a 2004 study (Murray et. al.) We aim to “better account for how the market effects our expectations for mitigation of carbon emissions,” said Latta. This will be done through the reevaluation of Murray’s standardized 2004 numbers, which are used to account for “market leakage.” “Leakage” can be explained in this scenario: as a forester, you might sequester more carbon by not harvesting your trees this year. Therefore, the price for carbon offsets rises because there’s less wood on the market. Your neighbor may then choose to cut more trees. You and the neighbor are now connected in a leakage market. “They were really excited about being outside all day. The kids and instructors accomplished much more than they thought they could,” said Beth Kochevar, K-12 Residential and Outreach Programs Coordinator. For the 2021 – 2022 school year, MOSS adapted their outreach to accommodate McCall-Donnelly School District’s resumption of fulltime instruction. Through a McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation Grant, we now have two Americorps members dedicated to outdoor local learning. These instructors visit different schools every week, expanding MOSS’ reach to more grades and students. “Last year we had a max capacity of 50 students a day, so we couldn’t serve everybody. But with this version, we can serve all elementary students. Even if it’s not every day, we have a greater reach of kids having an outdoor learning experience,” said Kochevar.

“It’s not an easy process to just change the leakage numbers that you’re using in your methodology,” emphasized Latta. But, when “we come up with a number that is more scientifically valid, voluntary carbon offset programs can adapt their methodologies to that methodologies.” At the conclusion of this critical study, there will be revamped methodologies and policies that are more relatable to current carbon offset programs. “The 2004 study was relevant to that time. We’re going to have something current,” concluded Latta.