Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz

Head of Education, Plant Ecologist | PhD, Cornell University

Expertise
education

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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.

A new national landscape for environmental education
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1991. “A New National Landscape for Environmental Education”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Summer research experience in ecology
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1991. “Summer Research Experience in Ecology”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Vegetation management studies on utility rights-of-way
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1990. “Vegetation Management Studies on Utility Rights-of-Way”. Proceedings of the Thirty-Fifth Annual Mountain Lake Vegetation Management Council, Incorporated [Kingston, New York, September 1989] 6: 25-32.
Undergraduate Research Reports--Summer 1988
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 1990. “Undergraduate Research Reports--Summer 1988”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
The ESA education section - hitting the ground running!
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1990. “The ESA Education Section - Hitting the Ground Running!”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
How far in space and time can the results from a single long-term study be extrapolated?
Berkowitz, Alan R., J. Kolasa, R.H. Peters, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 1989. “How Far in Space and Time Can the Results from a Single Long-Term Study Be Extrapolated?”. In G. E. Likens (ed.). Long-Term Studies in Ecology: Approaches and Alternatives, 192-98. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Competition for resources in weed-crop mixtures
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1988. “Competition for Resources in Weed-Crop Mixtures”. In M. A. Altieri and M. Z. Liebman (eds.). Weed Management in Agroecosystems: Ecological Approaches, 89-119. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida.
Mechanisms of plant interactions in mixtures and monocultures of corn and sunflower, with particular reference to water
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1986. “Mechanisms of Plant Interactions in Mixtures and Monocultures of Corn and Sunflower, With Particular Reference to Water”. Cornell University.