Consumer products that claim to be environmentally sound have been in the marketplace for some time. So too has the tactic of falsely donning the eco-friendly mantle. The proliferation of "Greenwashing," has caused growing suspicion of green claims in the minds of some consumers. In the wake of so many new products joining the environmental bandwagon, the now abiding skepticism causes some consumers to seek means of assessing a company's environmental...

Biscayne National Park released a draft General Management Plan (GMP) in 2011 that identifies alternatives for future management prescriptions within the park. While these alternatives are focused on enhancing the condition of natural resources, each alternative will impact resources differently. The South Florida / Caribbean Network of the National Park Service (NPS) supported the GMP by quantifying levels of natural resource affected by each alternative...

The globalized industrialization of the food system has threatened food security and jeopardized farm security at multiple scales. The current corporate food regime has perpetuated injustice specifically among people of color and women food system stakeholders. Community food security and values based value chains are two proven alternative proposes an integrated approach based on addressing the root causes of food and farm insecurity. This project...

International trade in wildlife and wildlife parts exists on a massive scale. Iconic mammals such as elephants, rhinos and tigers are killed daily for fashion and traditional medicine. Reptiles, birds and primates languish in cramped cages to supply exotic pet collectors around the world, and hundreds end up served as bush meat to satisfy a growing human appetite. This demand for rare and endangered species not only impacts biodiversity, but also...

"After Thomas Jefferson visited Mount Vernon in 1801 to pay his respects to George Washington's widow, Martha Washington remembered the encounter as the second-worst experience of her life-after the death of her husband. The two founders had become estranged by the time that Washington died. But for most of the time that they had known one another, from their first meeting in 1769, they enjoyed a productive and positive relationship. Contrary to the...

The modern industrial food systems that evolved to serve the growing global population with an emphasis on corporate profitability over human and environmental health has left consequential economic, environmental and social impacts. There is an increased need to analyze and address the negative effects and develop long-term solutions that will nurture communities and regenerate natural resources through the food system. The majority of the current...

Nonprofit organizations rely on a variety of funding sources to operate. Many people both within and outside of the nonprofit industry view fundraising skeptically, but without steady funding these organizations would not be able to develop new projects, enact on-the-ground change, or achieve their organizational missions. In order to advance my career in the nonprofit sector, I designed an Applied Professional Project in nonprofit fundraising. During...

"World-renowned soprano and arts/health advocate Renee Fleming curates a collection of essays from leading scientists, creative arts therapists, educators, healthcare providers and artists about the powerful impacts of music and the arts on health and thehuman experience A compelling and growing body of research has shown music and arts therapies to be effective tools for addressing a widening array of conditions, from providing pain relief, to enhancing...

The land management plan for the 150-acre Haley Farm will serve as the central source that guides all management decisions for the farm located in Nelson County, Kentucky and owned by my family. The plan is being created in an effort to improve wildlife habitat and to develop cattle and timber management practices on the farm. I created a comprehensive management plan that addresses wide ranging aspects of managing the land for wildlife, timber, and...

A nutrient reduction work plan is being developed for the South Lake Champlain watershed that will address the water quality impairments to Lake Champlain. 35% of the phosphorus runoff into the Lake from this watershed is estimated to come from agriculture so it is imperative that agricultural practices be considered in this work plan. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate assumed impediments to farmer participation in a water quality improvement...