Kaly Clark, a senior studying zoology and the vice president of NC State’s Roots and Shoots, is working to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public through her research.
Roots and Shoots is a national organization that seeks to solve North Carolina-based and global problems concerning wildlife, the environment and the Triangle community by giving power and responsibility to young people. Founded with the help of Jane Goodall, the organization attracts many students with a wildlife or ecology focus.
Clark first engaged in field research as an undergraduate last summer when she studied chipmunk behavior in Mount Graham, Arizona. She assisted Allysa Kilanowski, a master’s student studying wildlife conservation at the University of Arizona, by working in the field and trapping chipmunks.
※I was fortunate to do research as an undergraduate,§ Kilanowski said. ※I wanted to give someone else a chance to learn new skills and see a new part of the country.§
The project seeks to understand if juvenile behavior in native cliff chipmunks influences how far and where they will nest in adulthood. By testing factors of curiosity and aggression in young chipmunks, they are then tracked throughout adolescence to determine how they disperse.
※If an animal is more curious, it may nest in different or farther places,§ Clark said. ※If it is more aggressive, it will be easier to hang on to its territory.§
Clark worked with data, as well as in the field trapping and tagging cliff chipmunks.
Here at NC State, Clark works with Roots and Shoots on various projects concerning both wildlife and the community. Since it began in 2011, Clark said the organization has grown significantly, engaging more students and the public. Co-founder Tara Easter, who graduated in 2012 with a degree in biology, said she and other students are looking for a way to address global issues in conservation on campus.
※We saw Jane Goodall speak at Duke and realized we could bring a chapter of Roots and Shoots to NC State,§ Easter said.
Easter now works as a scientist for the Center for Biological Diversity in Portland, Oregon.
※There＊s so much amazing science going on that can be pointless if it is not shared with the public,§ Easter said.
Roots and Shoots continues to stress the importance of public knowledge leading to action by showcasing documentaries and involving members in Triangle-based projects at the Duke Lemur Center and food distribution to underprivileged communities.
Clark said she often finds people will study zoology to work with animals instead of people. She asserts for change to take place in an environment, there needs to be involvement in the surrounding community.
※Wildlife management is human management,§ Clark said. ※The biggest issues surrounding wildlife, like poaching and habitat loss, involve humans.§
The message of community involvement is one that Goodall preached and is an integral part of Roots and Shoots, according to Clark. Bob Patterson, the club’s faculty advisor and a crop science professor at NC State for more 40 years, agrees with the group’s reasoning.
※Credibility is greatly enhanced when the scientist is involved with the community,§ Patterson said.
Clark said it can be difficult for researchers to share information with the public as well as take into account community practices when abroad. She said she hopes to engage both as she graduates this spring and looks for research opportunities concerning wildlife.
※Eventually you will leave when your research is over,§ Clark said. ※You have to trust the local people to care enough to continue the project.§
