Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz

Head of Education, Plant Ecologist | PhD, Cornell University

Expertise
education

845 677-7600 x311

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Alan Berkowitz is a leader in advancing ecosystem literacy. His efforts include developing teaching materials, facilitating undergraduate research opportunities, and training educators. His projects aim to enhance public understanding of the complex interactions that govern the natural world and the ways that people influence ecosystems.

Berkowitz directs Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Over 30 years running, the program allows students to conduct hands-on ecological research under the advisement of a scientist mentor. The program, which is committed to supporting diversity, has launched nearly 75% of its alums into careers in the sciences. Berkowitz also directs the Urban Water Innovation Network (UWIN) Undergraduate Research Program.

Schools across the nation have the opportunity to partner with Cary Institute to implement freely available curriculum materials and participate in cutting-edge teacher training workshops. These collaborations bring together teachers, education researchers, and scientists – all working to improve ecological science literacy.

Berkowitz is the Education Team Leader for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES), a Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site directed by Cary Institute. In this role, Berkowitz works with teachers in Baltimore City Public Schools to bring BES research into the classroom.

Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education [Preface]
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education [Preface]”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, vii-x. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Urban ecosystem education in the coming decade: What is possible and how might we get there?
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Urban Ecosystem Education in the Coming Decade: What Is Possible and How Might We Get There?”. In A. R. Berkowitz., C. H. Nilon and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 476-501. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Visions for the future of urban ecosystem education: Themes
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Visions for the Future of Urban Ecosystem Education: Themes”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 399-400. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Why is understanding urban ecosystems an important frontier for education and educators?
Hollweg, Karen S., C.H. Pea, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2003. “Why Is Understanding Urban Ecosystems an Important Frontier for Education and Educators?”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 19-38. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Foundations and frontiers from education theory and practice: Themes
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Foundations and Frontiers from Education Theory and Practice: Themes”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 229-31. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Foundations and frontiers from the natural and social sciences: themes.
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Foundations and Frontiers from the Natural and Social Sciences: Themes”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 73-75. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
The Importance of Understanding Urban Ecosystems – Themes
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “The Importance of Understanding Urban Ecosystems – Themes”. In A. R. Berkowitz., C. H. Nilon and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 15-17. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Introduction: Ecosystem understanding is a key to understanding cities.
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Introduction: Ecosystem Understanding Is a Key to Understanding Cities”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 1-13. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Undergraduate Research Reports -- 1998 and 1999
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 2002. “Undergraduate Research Reports -- 1998 and 1999”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Experimental removal of strong and weak predators: mice and chipmunks preying on songbird nests
Schmidt, Kenneth, J.R. Goheen, R. Naumann, Richard S. Ostfeld, E.M. Schauber, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2001. “Experimental Removal of Strong and Weak Predators: Mice and Chipmunks Preying on Songbird Nests”. Ecology 82: 2927-36. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Schmidt_et_al_2001_Ecology_82_2927-2936.pdf.