Appalachian Lab Monthly Newsletter
You may have heard the acronym “DEI” swirling around in the news, but what does it really
mean? At the Appalachian Lab, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts simply try to
create a place where everybody is welcomed, valued, and treated fairly.
The AL DEI group wants to raise awareness of what DEI is and why it’s relevant to you. This
semester’s theme is “Why DEI?” We’ll be exploring two core reasons why DEI matters at AL:
We have an institutional responsibility to educate and do science that serves
all individuals.
Research shows that including diverse perspectives leads to more innovative,
productive, and impactful science.
Be on the lookout for information in town halls, future newsletters, and even bathroom stalls!
Want to be involved or have ideas for future topics?
Email nicole.ibrahim@umces.edu
Recent Happenings & Announcements
CPR/AED Training Opportunity
If you’d like to take advantage of our opportunity for CPR/AED certification classes at no cost to you, be sure to complete the interest form by the deadline this Friday, September 19th.
Fall 2025 DEI Meetings
The AL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) group is preparing for another year of exciting work here at the lab and beyond. To that end, we’re working on scheduling our monthly meetings for the semester, likely during the last week of the month. We invite you all to fill out this poll indicating your availability so that we can maximize attendance at DEI meetings this semester (in person, with a Zoom option available).
Lab Picnic
We held our annual picnic last month at Dan’s Mountain State Park:
Pollinator Planting
You may have noticed that the landscaping at the front of the building has recently changed. John and Deb removed the evergreens that had been browsed heavily by the deer and our community members with green thumbs have planted some additional pollinator-friendly, native plants.
Johnson Award Ceremony and Reception
We hosted the Richard H. Johnson Environmental Education Award last month. Matt Kline from Mount Savage Middle School was this year’s honoree. Here is Matt pictured with Ray Morgan, who was Matt’s advisor and supervisor when Matt was a student and FRA at AL:
Halloween Parade
Spotlight on Safety - The Hierarchy of Controls
What does cooking over a flame have to do with workplace safety?
More than you’d think. In this short explainer video, we use the everyday act of cooking with fire to show how the Hierarchy of Controls works: starting with the bold move of eliminating the hazard entirely (takeout, anyone?) all the way down to relying on PPE (hello, oven mitts).
It’s a quick, practical look at how to control risks—at home, in the lab, or in the field. Watch the video and see which safety controls serve up the best protection.
Administrative Reminders - Fleet Vehicles
To help make everyone’s experience using the state vehicles go as smoothly as possible, please remember the following:
- Vehicles are reserved using ALOnline.
- Please include a grant number or name in the “Notes” section of the reservation form.
- You can view the calendar online to check vehicle availability.
- If you need to travel long distances, please check with Cami or Heather in advance of making your reservation. It may be more cost effective to your project to rent a vehicle.
- If you experience any problems or issues with the vehicle, please report them to administration IMMEDIATELY. Waiting to notify someone could create serious potential safety issues for the next vehicle user.
- Always be prepared for possible out of pocket expenses from vehicle issues that could arise after hours, out of the area, or because John is unavailable. You will be reimbursed later, so save your receipts.
- When using a vehicle, remember to always make SAFETY FIRST. If you experience any mechanical issues, your safety is paramount. Never pull over until you are in a safe location. Wheels and other things can be replaced; you cannot be replaced!
Resource Review - UMCES Ombuds Program
UMCES offers the services of a caring, professionally trained Ombudsperson through a contract with The McCammon Group. Dr.Jacqueline Villafañe has served in this capacity since early 2024 providing an informal, listening ear, acting as a mediator, and offering trainings across UMCES. Villafañe has recently updated an informational flyer about the UMCES program, which is linked here. More information is also available on the UMCES public webpage and the UMCES Intranet.
New Publications
Yenni Vetrita, Karunika Diwyacitta, Krisna Malik Sukarno, Israr Albar, Ahmad Basyiruddin Usman, Rasis Putra Ritonga, Imam Santoso, Anugrah Indah Lestari, Tatik Kartika, Dandy Aditya Novresiandi, Indah Prasati, Kurnia Ulfa, Nisa Novita, Sukentyas Estuti Siwi, Steward Augusto, Eduard Thomas Prakoso, Khalifah Insan Nur Rahmi, Udhi Catur Nugroho, Joko Widodo, & Mark A. Cochrane . 2025. Evaluating the capabilities of high-resolution PlanetScope and Sentinel-2 images for mapping burned area and vegetation regrowth in Indonesia’s savannas. International Journal of Remote Sensing.
Todd E. Katzner, David M. Nelson, Ana Teresa Marques, Christian C. Voigt, Sergio A. Lambertucci, Natalia Rebolo, Enrico Bernard, Robert Diehl, Megan Murgatroyd. 2025. Impacts of onshore wind energy production on biodiversity. Nature Reviews Biodiversity.
Caitlin J. Campbell, David M. Nelson, Juliet Nagel, Jeff Clerc, Theodore J. Weller, Jamin G. Wieringa, Erin Fraser, FredJ. Longstaffe, Amanda M. Hale, Meghan Lout, Lori Pruitt,Robert Guralnick, Hannah B. Vander Zanden. 2025. Migratory Stragegy is a Key Factor Driving Interactions at Wind Energy Facilities in At-Risk North American Bats. Ecology Letters.
Mark Your Calendars
- September 18th @ 6:30 PM – AL Watershed Moment Event at Garrett College
- September 19th @ 11 AM – AL Seminar Series – Dr. Krista Kraskura, Towson University
- October 3rd @ 3:30 PM – TGIF
- October 8th @ 11 AM – AL October Town Hall
- October 9th – UMCES Centennial Event at Baltimore Museum of Industry
- October 17th @ 11 AM – AL Seminar Series – Dr. Jan Schipper, CBL
- October 24-25th – MEES Colloquium
- November 6th @ 6 PM – AL Watershed Moment Event
Do you have something you’d like to share with the AL community? Please submit any announcements and updates to Katie Kline or Heather Johnson.
