CLiGS Spotlight
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The Slow Violence of Sprawl — Part I , articleFor decades, residential subdivisions have been expanding rapidly across the landscape of the United States. The population density of entire metropolitan areas has also been decreasing (Lucy & Phillips, 2006). In the early 1920s, the average population density within American metropolitan areas was about 6,160 persons per square mile; however, by the 1990s, density had significantly decreased to 1,469 persons per square mile (Benfield et al., 1999). “Suburbanization” and “sprawl” are the terms that are often used to describe this…
Date: 09/14/2017 - -
Article ItemWater and Conflict , article
There are many anecdotes about water wars, particularly in the folklore of the US desert southwest. In reality, water management during times of scarcity has been more of a convening force than a conflict driver. There are multiple examples of nations coming together to ensure at least a relatively equitable distribution of this precious natural resource. The Nile is probably the best known example, but the best reference for the historic agreements (over 300 examples) is the "Atlas of International…
Date: 09/06/2017 - -
Article ItemEnvironmental Advocacy in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed , article
On August 12-13, 2017, the Executive Master of Natural Resources (XMNR) graduate degree program convened a series of learning modules on “Environmental Advocacy in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed”. The purpose of these executive education sessions was to introduce “advocacy” as a strategy for having influence on complex socio-ecological systems such as transboundary watersheds. By advocacy we mean advancing an environmental agenda by influencing the decisions of policy makers and those that implement those policies. It is a big umbrella term…
Date: 08/30/2017 - -
Article ItemClimate and National Security , article
It is hard to put the threats posed by a changing climate into context when the news is filled with terrorist attacks, nuclear threats and a war that just seems to have no end. Climate change seems to be almost frivolous, but unfortunately, it’s not. So, what does that mean? You can’t fight climate change with a gun or a missile or a submarine, so how is it a threat to national security? First let’s look at some definitions.
Date: 08/28/2017 - -
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What Qualifies as Urban Habitat? , articleMost of the world’s human citizens now live in cities, and the percentage of people who do (as well as the percentage of urbanized land) is only going to grow. An awareness of urban biodiversity helps to dispel the myth that “nature” only happens away from the human-built environment. By that telling, humans are not part of nature, and this perspective has led to some of the most damaging environmental issues we’re currently facing. Understanding that humans are a part…
Date: 08/16/2017 - -
Article ItemWhy “Boring” is Important to Sustainability , article
Let’s talk about why sustainability needs to be boring. Most of us have retirement plans that are invested in stocks and bonds. The companies who issue those securities must report on an annual basis to various regulatory bodies about their operating performance. These annual reports are then compared, analyzed, and made public so that you and I can make informed decisions about where to invest our hard earned dollars. This information is available because these companies are required by law…
Date: 08/07/2017 - -
Article ItemXMNR Alum Named Executive Director at Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay , article
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, a regional leader in Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration since 1971, announced today that its Board of Directors has selected Kate A. Fritz as the organization’s new Executive Director. The announcement follows a six-month nationwide search undertaken to replace current Executive Director, Al Todd, who will be retiring in August 2017. Ms. Fritz currently serves as the Executive Director of the South River Federation in Annapolis, Maryland. She will assume her new role with the…
Date: 07/17/2017 - -
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XMNR Cohort Explores Water-Related Issues in India , articleIn January, 28 students and five faculty members traveled to India as part of the Executive Master of Natural Resources program, based in the college’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability in the National Capital Region. During the 12-day trip, students met and observed local organizations and individuals who are working to improve water management in some of the poorest and driest areas in the world. The group began their trip in New Delhi, India’s capital city, to meet with…
Date: 07/01/2017 - -
Article ItemAlicia Thomas Finds Her Missing Piece , article
Finding the time to complete a master’s degree was not an easy task for Alicia Thomas, who, in 2012, was working full-time and had a third child on the way. However, the flexibility of Virginia Tech’s Online Masters of Natural Resources (MNR) program and the encouragement of its faculty members helped Thomas complete her degree in May 2016 and ultimately land a job that she loves. In August 2016, Thomas began working for the USDA Forest Service in Rolling Fork, Mississippi…
Date: 06/26/2017 - -
Article ItemA Broader Sustainability Perspective , article
Tyler Matusevich credits the Virginia Tech Masters of Natural Resources program with helping him to think outside the box—and also more about the box. The 2015 alumnus earned a bachelor’s degree in packaging science in 2013 from Virginia Tech before deciding to pursue a master’s in natural resources. “I wanted a broader perspective on sustainability,” said Matusevich. “In the packaging industry, we try to reduce materials to save costs in packaging, but the program helped me to better understand the…
Date: 06/19/2017 -
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