Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz

Head of Education, Plant Ecologist | PhD, Cornell University

Expertise

education

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Profile
Past Projects
Publications

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.

Workshop review: training teachers to teach ecology in the schoolyard

Berkowitz, Alan R. 1996. “Workshop Review: Training Teachers to Teach Ecology in the Schoolyard”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.

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Biomass allocation and multiple resource limitation in tree seedlings

Canham, Charles D., Alan R. Berkowitz, Victoria R. Kelly, Gary M. Lovett, S. V. Ollinger, and Jaclyn L. Schnurr. 1996. “Biomass Allocation and Multiple Resource Limitation in Tree Seedlings”. Can. J. For. Res. 26: 1521-30. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Canham_et_al_1996_Can_J_For_Res_26_1521-1530.pdf.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Education Committee report

Berkowitz, Alan R. 1995. “Education Committee Report”. Vol. 6. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Education and Human Resources Office update

Berkowitz, Alan R. 1995. “Education and Human Resources Office Update”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Project SYEFEST: ecology in every schoolyard

Berkowitz, Alan R. 1992. “Project SYEFEST: Ecology in Every Schoolyard”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.

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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.