Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz

Head of Education, Plant Ecologist | PhD, Cornell University

Expertise
education

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Alan Berkowitz is a leader in defining and advancing ecological literacy. He develops innovative programs to help students and teachers understand and appreciate the complex interactions that govern the natural world and the ways that people depend on and influence ecosystems. Berkowitz also works to build a more diverse community of ecologists by engaging high school and undergraduate students from groups currently underrepresented in ecology in research experiences.

As the Education Team Leader for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, Berkowitz built a close collaboration with the Baltimore City Public Schools to bring cutting-edge research and teaching strategies into the classroom. Most recently, his Integrating Chemistry and Earth Science project developed curricula for high school chemistry students and teachers in the district. Schools in the Hudson Valley and across the nation have the opportunity to partner with Cary to implement freely available curriculum materials and participate in teacher training workshops. These collaborations bring together teachers, education researchers, and scientists — all working to improve ecological literacy.

Berkowitz serves on the Ecological Society of America’s Four-Dimensional Ecology Education Committee, which is advancing a framework for undergraduate ecology education. He also co-leads the Undergraduate Field Experiences Research Network that is building a community of scientists, educators, and education researchers dedicated to exploring and sharing best practices for inclusive and effective teaching and learning in field settings.

Berkowitz directed Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and the Urban Water Innovation Network Undergraduate Research Program. The Baltimore and Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientist programs have provided high school students with early exposure to the joys and challenges of ecological field studies. Through these programs, he helped hundreds of students gain confidence and expertise in environmental science.

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Worm worlds. N. Am. Assoc. Environ. Educ
Berkowitz, Alan R., and Patrick J. Bohlen. 1996. “Worm Worlds. N. Am. Assoc. Environ. Educ”. VINE Neighborhood Ecol. Network, Washington, D. C.
Institutional reward systems for sustaining ecologists' activities in K-12 education
Schoenfeld, I., and Alan R. Berkowitz. 1996. “Institutional Reward Systems for Sustaining ecologists’ Activities in K-12 Education”. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 77: 168-69.
Ecologists' involvement in ecology education
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1996. “Ecologists’ Involvement in Ecology Education”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
ESA and the United Negro College Fund launch new minority recruitment program
Berkowitz, Alan R., and S. Shoemaker. 1996. “ESA and the United Negro College Fund Launch New Minority Recruitment Program”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
ESA's Education and Human Resources Office update - April 1996
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1996. “ESA’s Education and Human Resources Office Update - April 1996”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Education Committee report
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1995. “Education Committee Report”. Vol. 6. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Ecological perspectives on tree invasion in rights-of-way: Quantifying variation among communities in resistance to tree invasion
Canham, Charles D., J. D. Hill, Alan R. Berkowitz, and Richard S. Ostfeld. 1995. “Ecological Perspectives on Tree Invasion in Rights-of-Way: Quantifying Variation Among Communities in Resistance to Tree Invasion”. G. Doucet, C. Séguin, and M. Giguère (eds.). Proc. 5th Int. Symp. Environ. Concerns Rights-of-Way Manage., Montreal, Canada, September 1993.
Ecological perspectives on tree invasion in rights-of-way: Net competitive effects of intact vegetation
Berkowitz, Alan R., and Charles D. Canham. 1995. “Ecological Perspectives on Tree Invasion in Rights-of-Way: Net Competitive Effects of Intact Vegetation”. In G. Doucet, C. Séguin, and M. Giguère (eds.)., 54-58. Proc. 5th Int. Symp. Environ. Concerns Rights-of-Way Manage., Montreal, Quebec, September 1993.
Competition vs. facilitation of tree seedling growth and survival in early successional communities
Berkowitz, Alan R., Charles D. Canham, and Victoria R. Kelly. 1995. “Competition Vs. Facilitation of Tree Seedling Growth and Survival in Early Successional Communities”. Ecology 76: 1156-68. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Berkowitz_et_al_1995_Ecology_76_1156-1168.pdf.
Education and Human Resources Office update
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1995. “Education and Human Resources Office Update”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
White Paper on ecology in the undergraduate curriculum?
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1995. “White Paper on Ecology in the Undergraduate Curriculum?”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Undergraduate Research Reports--1991, 1992, and 1993
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 1995. “Undergraduate Research Reports--1991, 1992, and 1993”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Ecologist in pre-college ecology education
Metzgar, L. H., Karen S. Hollweg, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 1994. “Ecologist in Pre-College Ecology Education”. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 75: 113-16.
Mechanisms to increase recruitment and retention of women and under-represented groups in ecology
Bentley, B., and Alan R. Berkowitz. 1994. “Mechanisms to Increase Recruitment and Retention of Women and under-Represented Groups in Ecology”. Rep. Strategic Plan. Workshop, Ecol. Soc. Am., June 1993. Ecol. Soc. Am., Washington, D. C.
Effects of biomass allocation and resource-use efficiency on multiple resource limitation in tree seedlings
Canham, Charles D., Alan R. Berkowitz, Victoria R. Kelly, Gary M. Lovett, and S. V. Ollinger. 1993. “Effects of Biomass Allocation and Resource-Use Efficiency on Multiple Resource Limitation in Tree Seedlings”. C. D. Canham Et Al. (eds.). Vegetation Dynamics Along Utility Rights-of-Way: Factors Affecting the Ability of Shrub and Herbaceous Communities to Resist Invasion by Trees. Final Technical Report to Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation and the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation.
Net effects of right-of-way communities on tree seedling growth and survival
Berkowitz, Alan R., Charles D. Canham, and Victoria R. Kelly. 1993. “Net Effects of Right-of-Way Communities on Tree Seedling Growth and Survival”. C. D. Canham (ed.). Vegetation Dynamics Along Utility Rights-of-Way: Factors Affecting the Ability of Shrub and Herbaceous Communities to Resist Invasion by Trees. Final Technical Report to Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation and the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation.
New opportunities for ecology education in the United States
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1993. “New Opportunities for Ecology Education in the United States”. In M. Hale (ed.). General Understanding and Role of Ecology in Education, 45-59. Cambridge University Press, London.
The role of professional biologists in pre-college ecology education. Assoc. Southeast
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1992. “The Role of Professional Biologists in Pre-College Ecology Education. Assoc. Southeast”. Biol. Bull. 39: 170-73.
Project SYEFEST: ecology in every schoolyard
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1992. “Project SYEFEST: Ecology in Every Schoolyard”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Undergraduate Research Reports--1989 and 1990
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 1992. “Undergraduate Research Reports--1989 and 1990”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.