WNY PRISM Welcomes Summer 2018 Crew

WNY PRISM is excited to welcome its 2018 Summer Crew! This year we are welcoming our two Invasive Species Management Assistants, Julia Kostin and Rebecca Mann as well as our Education and Outreach Assistant, Emily Thiel. A first for WNY PRISM, we are also welcoming our boat stewards, Morgan Beatey and Parker Everhart.

Julia and Rebecca will be working in the field with various Partners to map new invasions, manage invasive species infestations, and begin habitat restoration projects. Emily will be organize the education and outreach events of WNY PRISM. Please feel free to reach out to Emily at wnyprism@buffalostate.edu if you are looking to promote invasive species awareness including trainings, presentations or displays. Lastly, Morgan and Parker will be working with boaters to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

Summer 2018 Management and Outreach Assistants – Julia Kostin, Rebecca Mann and Emily Thiel. Photo by WNY PRISM

Julia Kostin is a recent graduate from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and a minor in Studio Art. For the past two summers, Julia has worked for the Lake Champlain Research Institute as a lab technician. With the Lake Champlain Research Institute, Julia had the resources and data necessary to research the invasive spiny water flea and their seasonal growth patterns. In the summer of 2015, Julia was an environmental steward for Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, NY. Her responsibilities included managing a naturalized butterfly garden by removing invasive species like pale swallow-wort and replacing them with native plants, in addition to public education. Having worked with both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species, Julia has developed a strong interest in the topic. She is excited to join WNY PRISM to learn about new management strategies and help with outreach events.

Rebecca Mann is a recent graduate from University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience. Last fall, Rebecca interned with Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District doing North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative surveys. The surveys measured aquatic passibility in culverts and bridges throughout Erie County. In addition to the NAACC surveys, Rebecca learned hydro-seeding, watershed management and stream surveying techniques during her internship at ECSWCD. She is excited to start her position at WNY PRISM as an Invasive Species Management Assistant and looks forward to learning more about the best management practices for terrestrial invasive species.

Emily Thiel is a graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry  with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, focusing on Environment, Communication, and Society and a Master of Science in Environmental Science concentrating on Biophysical and Ecological Economics. Emily has also completed her Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking and sewing. She is looking forward to being the Education and Outreach Assistant for WNY PRISM this summer as well as assisting in various management activities.

WNY PRISM Boat Stewards – Morgan Beatey and Parker Everhart. Photo by WNY PRISM

Morgan Beatey is a senior at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a focus on Policy Planning and Law. She is the president and editor of the college’s newspaper, The Knothole, and will also be taking on the head editor position for the school’s yearbook come fall. This summer she is working as the Lead Watercraft Inspection Steward for WNY PRISM along the Erie Canal and Tonawanda River and greatly looks forward to interacting with those who frequent their waters.

Parker Everhart is originally from Dunkirk, Maryland and graduated from SUNY ESF in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science. His interest in invasive species was sparked by a research project studying the habitat of New England Cottontail and looking at the effects of invasives on native undergrowth. He now works as a boat steward on Cuba Lake in Allegany County.