Animal Policy Project
With the help of Pace students participating in the Animal Policy Project, a New York State law was passed that bans annual wildlife killing monetary contests, whose common targets are predators such as coyotes, foxes, squirrels, and bobcats. Governor Hochul signed the law in December 2023, making illegal hunting competitions and tournaments involving certain species that award hunters cash and other prizes. The legislation, which takes effect on November 1, 2024, excludes contests for hunting white-tailed deer, turkeys and bears, as well as other legal hunting.
In this impactful, meaningful experiential learning project, “The students created a campaign strategy and learned how to implement that strategy effectively,” said Michelle Land, JD, clinical professor. They researched the issue, created social media platforms that addressed the issue, and reached out to other students for signatures.”
The Animal Policy Project puts students at the forefront of animal issues, immersing them in hands-on research aimed at influencing policy while developing advocacy skills. The Animal Policy Project houses its cornerstone course, the Animal Advocacy Clinic, connects students to industry mentors on the Animal Policy Project Advisory Council, and presents firsthand experiences in lobbying.
Environmental Analysis Collaboration
Assistant Professor S. Perl Egendorf’s (PhD) Fundamentals of Environmental Science II course entailed collaboration with the nonprofit organization Gotham Park, New York City, to provide data the organization would use to inform their activities and offerings to the public. Gotham Park is a new park that seeks to unlock the potential of “the forgotten spaces under the Manhattan side of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.” (Gothampark.org).
The course’s lab component included sampling and analyzing Gotham Park’s soil, air, and water to measure the overall health of the park and to help officials ensure the area remains a safe space for community members. The collaboration gave Pace students real-world opportunities to collect field samples, conduct lab analyses, analyze data, write a scientific report, and give a presentation to stakeholders of Gotham Park.
At the end of the semester, students presented their research methods and results, and provided guidance for future testing to Gotham Park administration, staff, and collaborators. They also made recommendations for flora to be planted at the park based on their findings. Gotham Park officials were pleased to learn that the soil, air, and water quality testing showed that the park is safe for regular interaction and have asked the student researchers to give their presentation again to a wider audience in fall 2024.
Students Present at Northeast Natural History Conference
Environmental Studies and Science students Lucas Andujar ’24 and Samantha Cronk ’23, MSESP ’25 presented posters on their independent, community-focused research with faculty mentor Clinical Professor Mike Rubbo, PhD, at the 2024 Northeast Natural History Conference. Cronk studied the effects of residential septic systems on water quality in the Pocantico River, New York. She found that the river had levels of phosphorous and bacteria that exceeded guidelines regardless of the density of septic systems. She is helping to design new studies to pinpoint the sources of these pollutants. Andujar investigated the use of road culverts by wildlife. He installed motion-activated cameras in culverts at sites throughout Westchester County, New York, and found that many species, including deer, coyotes, and bobcats, will use culverts to cross safely under roads only if exposed ground is present in the culvert. Andujar hopes this research will be used to design culverts that facilitate their use by wildlife. Both studies have important implications for conservation in local communities.
