Untitled Document

Thursday, October 19, 2006

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Total Clips: 8

	Date	Outlet
Education initiative promotes hands-on learning	10/19/2006	Opelika-Auburn News
War on hunger	10/19/2006	Tuscaloosa News
Program could add 250,000 acres of pines in South	10/19/2006	Macon Telegraph
Museum to offer free admission, wine tasting	10/19/2006	Opelika-Auburn News
State Math, Science Initiative Expands to East Alabama	10/19/2006	WRBL-TV
Veterinary workshop presents alternative research practices	10/19/2006	Daily Beacon, The
Chelsea to have blooming wildflowers along U.S. 280	10/18/2006	Birmingham News
Groups Launch Initiative to Fight World Hunger	10/18/2006	Georgetown University


Education initiative promotes hands-on learning 10/19/2006 Opelika-Auburn News Jaime Lakin, WRBL		Return to Top
This story is about the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative located at AU. Educators say making everyday lessons a hands-on learning experience is key to keeping students engaged in the learning process. Now, a new program coming to east Alabama will bring that philosophy into area classrooms. On Wednesday, state and local leaders and educators gathered at J.F. Drake Middle school in Auburn to celebrate the launch of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) in east Alabama. The initiative itself was implemented in the state several years ago. But a new appropriation of $831,000, announced Wednesday by Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton and Auburn University President Dr. Ed Richardson, will expand the program into east Alabama through an AMSTI site at Auburn University. The initiative promotes hands-on instruction of math, science and technology applications with kits customized for subject-specific activities. "What we've done is identify the specific kits that match up with what Alabama teachers are supposed to be teaching in the classrooms," said AMSTI State Coordinator Steve Ricks. "And when the teachers use these kits the students are fully engaged in the hands-on activities, and because of that they learn what they're supposed to be learning." With the addition of the new initiative site at Auburn University, east Alabama schools join the ranks of about 200 public schools involved in the program statewide. "All the teachers are very excited about the new endeavors and the training that they're going to incur and the supplies they are going to be provided," said Debbie Beebe, Drake Middle School principal. "The modes of teaching that AMSTI brings are just phenomenal for children and children’s learning and we’re very excited to have them in our area." The AU AMSTI site will serve 11 school systems: Alexander City, Auburn, Chambers County, Elmore County, Lanett, Lee County, Macon County, Opelika, Russell County, Tallapoosa County and Tallassee. To find out more about AMSTI, visit www.amsti.org.
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War on hunger 10/19/2006 Tuscaloosa News		Return to Top
In 2004, Auburn University was selected by the United Nations World Food Programme to be the lead academic partner in Universities Fighting World Hunger initiative. The WFP is the largest humanitarian agency in the world, providing food for 90 million people in more than 80 countries annually. Auburn developed a hunger model that has been replicated and/or adapted by universities around the country. In February of this year, Auburn hosted the first annual War on Hunger Summit, and 29 universities from around the country were represented. More than 50 colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada and the Virgin Islands have participated.
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Program could add 250,000 acres of pines in South 10/19/2006 Macon Telegraph Elliott Minor, AP		Return to Top
AU's Dean Gjerstad, professor of forestry and wildlife sciences and co-director of the Longleaf Alliance, is quoted in this story. This story also appeared in the Gainesville Sun and the Daytona Beach News Journal. ALBANY - Agriculture officials announced a new initiative Wednesday to increase longleaf pine forests by 250,000 acres in nine Southern states, a move aimed at restoring one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems outside the tropics. Teresa Lasseter, a Tifton native who heads the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, outlined the new longleaf pine Conservation Reserve Program at the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition, a major farm show held annually near Moultrie. "As a Georgia native, I'm keenly aware of the important role that longleaf pine forests play in the overall environmental and financial health of the South," she said. "This project builds on the more than 200,000 acres of longleaf pines already planted through other CRP projects, and it represents the Bush administration's continued commitment to working with private landowners to improve the land through cooperative conservation." She was accompanied at the news conference by U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a Republican who has championed agricultural issues, and Harry Kemp, acting director of the state office of the Farm Service Agency in Athens. Conservation Reserve pays landowners to take marginal cropland out of production and plant something else, usually grass in the West and pine trees in the South. The South was covered with between 70 million and 90 million acres of longleaf pines when European settlers arrived, but today only about 9,000 acres of the original forest remains. Experts attribute the decline to clear-cutting of Southern forests, changing agricultural practices, the lack of regular fires to burn the forest understory and a switch to faster growing trees such as loblolly and slash pines. But with a growing recognition of longleaf's benefits to wildlife and the environment and the value of the lumber it produces, about 3 million acres of new trees have been planted during the past 15 years, including the 200,000 acres under previous conservation programs. Robert Bonnie, a forester and economist with Washington-based Environmental Defense, which lobbied for the new program along with other environmental groups, said the latest conservation program is the best so far for Southern landowners. "This is an important step in restoring the native ecosystem," he said. "If we're going to get back those great forests, we've got to get some trees in the ground." Because it applies exclusively to longleaf and there are no specific signup periods, landowners won't have to compete with their counterparts in other regions and can sign up any time they have land available, he said. That should mean a more consistent supply of seedlings for longleaf reforestation, he said. Signup for the new program begins Dec. 1 at local Farm Service Agency offices. Enrollment will continue until the 250,000-acre goal is met, or until Dec. 31, 2007, officials said. Bonnie and others say longleaf forests can sustain the highest number of species of any area outside the tropics. They are a haven for thousands of plants and animals, many of them rare and endangered. "In places, the ground cover rivals some tropical forests," he said. Dean Gjerstad, co-director of the Longleaf Alliance, a group that hopes to increase the longleaf acreage to 4.5 million acres within a decade, said the new program is certain to help the effort. "A quarter of a million acres is a big chunk," said Gjerstad, a professor of forestry and wildlife sciences at Auburn University. "It adds to the visibility of what we're doing. "We're trying to retain what we already have and improve the ecosystem that goes with it," he said. "The tree itself is more difficult to establish, but once you get it established, it is a hardy tree, very resistant to disease, insects and fires." ***** AT A GLANCE The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the following list of states and their acreage allocations under a new Conservation Reserve Program aimed at boosting longleaf pine planting in the South: Alabama: 37,000 acres Florida: 42,750 acres Georgia: 44,750 acres Louisiana: 36,250 acres Mississippi: 21,500 acres North Carolina: 32,250 acres South Carolina: 21,000 acres Texas: 10,750 acres Virginia: 3,750 acres
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Museum to offer free admission, wine tasting 10/19/2006 Opelika-Auburn News Jessica R. Elmore		Return to Top
This is about upcoming events at AU's Jules Collins Museum of Fine Art. Locals looking for a little culture on the plains should trade in a night of beer and wings specials for one of wine tasting and Spanish hors d’oeuvres. The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is waiving its $5 admission fee tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. as part of their special free-night fall programming. "We like this kind of programming," said Scott Bishop, communications administrator. "We like to mix some type of education with entertainment." The free admission will allow museum visitors to browse the galleries or take part in a few events scheduled for the evening. D.K. Ruth's lecture "Remembering Sambo’s Gift" can be heard at 5:30 p.m. Ruth along with the late Samuel "Sambo" Mockbee co-founded Auburn University's internationally renowned Rural Studio, a community architecture program exposing students to building while simultaneously improving the lives of others. "Rural Studio: Education of the Citizen Architect," which is on exhibit until Nov. 5, evolved from "Samuel Mockbee and the Rural Studio: Community Architecture," a collection first comprised by David Moos and Rural Studio Director Andrew Freear in 2001 for the Birmingham Museum of Art, according to www.smoca.org. Also on exhibit in addition to the museum's permanent collections is "The Collector’s Eye: Selections from the Collection of Preston T. Phillips, Class of 1973," featuring works such as Andy Warhol's "Marilyn," Robert Rauschenberg's "Soviet-American Array I" and Lowell Nesbitt's "Purple and White Iris." Adults who like to draw can participate in free drawing lessons given by art history senior Lauren Drablier from 6 to 8 p.m. After offering such a program for children, Bishop decided to extend the same offer to adults as well. The museum will even provide all art supplies. Hungry or thirsty museum visitors can sample wines or Ursula’s Spanish hors d'oeuvres from 6 to 8 p.m. in the cafe for a fee of $5 (members) or $10 (non-members). This fee will be waived for any visitor who decides to purchase a membership. Kroger's own wine purveyor Gus Clark will be on hand along with vendors to answer any questions visitors may have about wine while Dan Mackowski, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, strums his guitar in the background. "Clark is enthusiastic about wine education," Bishop said. "He is donating his services in support of Lynn Terra Ballet Company (formerly known as Auburn Ballet) ... Dan is a really dedicated musician who plays a kind of quiet and mellow jazz. He was wonderful last month." "I'd like to see 100 people (tonight)," Bishop said. "Our goal is to invite people into the museum who have never been in before." For more information, visit http://jcsm.auburn.edu/index.html or call 844-1484. jelmore@oanow.com \| 737-2563
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State Math, Science Initiative Expands to East Alabama 10/19/2006 WRBL-TV Jaime Lakin		Return to Top
This story is about the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative located at AU. Educators say making everyday lessons a hands-on learning experience is key to keeping students engaged in the learning process. Now, a new program coming to East Alabama will bring that philosophy into area classrooms. On Wednesday, state and local leaders and educators gathered at J.F. Drake Middle school in Auburn to celebrate the launch of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) in East Alabama. The initiative itself was implemented in the state several years ago. But a new appropriation of $831,000, announced Wednesday by State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton and Auburn University President Dr. Ed Richardson, will expand the program into East Alabama through an AMSTI site located at Auburn University. The initiative promotes hands-on instruction of math, science and technology applications with kits customized for subject-specific activities. "What we've done is identify the specific kits that match up with what Alabama teachers are supposed to be teaching in the classrooms," said AMSTI State Coordinator Steve Ricks. "And when the teachers use these kits the students are fully engaged in the hands-on activities and because of that they learn what they're supposed to be learning." With the addition of the new initiative site at Auburn University, East Alabama schools join the ranks of about 200 public schools involved in the program statewide. "All the teachers are very excited about the new endeavors and the training that they're going to incur and the supplies they are going to be provided," said Debbie Beebe, Drake Middle School Principal. "The modes of teaching that AMSTI brings are just phenomenal for children and children's learning and we're very excited to have them in our area." The AU AMSTI site will serve 11 school systems: Alexander City, Auburn, Chambers County, Elmore County, Lanett, Lee County, Macon County, Opelika, Russell County, Tallapoosa County and Tallassee. To find out more about AMSTI, visit www.amsti.org.
Full Story

Veterinary workshop presents alternative research practices 10/19/2006 Daily Beacon, The Allen Benjamin Johnson		Return to Top
AU' Veterinary Research Lab is mentioned in this story. The University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine held a workshop Monday to help veterinarians and laboratory personnel diminish the number of animals used in research through better experimental design. Titled "Animal Welfare Act — The Alternative Search", the workshop familiarized veterinary practitioners and educators with research methods that take full advantage of the electronic tools of the college's Pendergrass Library. "This is the first workshop of its kind to be held here at the university," said Ann Viera, a Pendergrass AG-Vet librarian who hosted the workshop. "The purpose of the workshop was to show investigators the best possible research practices for fulfilling the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act." The Animal Welfare Act is a federal law providing basic guidelines for the handling, treatment and transportation of some animals in certain situations, such as in laboratories, zoos, circuses, transporters and exhibits. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and other organizations. It was first adopted in 1966 as a result of mounting public concern about animal research in the United States. In 2002, former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms (N.C.) introduced an amendment excluding consideration of birds and mice from the law. For people who plan to use animals for investigative purposes, the workshop emphasized the "Three R" system — replacement, reduction and refinement in experimental designs. The purpose is to minimize the number of animals used in research. The office of Laboratory Animal Care within the veterinary college is responsible for teaching and researching practices on the UT campus that involve animals. "The Three Rs are important in making sure that animals are not needlessly overused in research and education," Jane Czarra, a workshop practitioner, said. "The Three Rs is a concept that has been a part of animal research for as long as I can remember." Reduction is currently the least emphasized of the "Three Rs" in animal experiments, the college's officials said. The workshop gave UT researchers the investigative tools needed to explore journals and the methodology to better design experiments and reduction in animal experimentation. "I hope that those who took the workshop came away with what are the standard procedures and practices for fulfilling the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act," Viera said. The activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, infiltrated Auburn University's Veterinary Research Lab last year. They claim to have conducted an investigation that uncovered improper animal care. The allegations are unsubstantiated, but have raised awareness around the country about the need for ongoing improvement in research and care protocols in animal laboratory settings. The organization routinely has operatives go undercover in animal research facilities. In January of 2004, Neil Cavuto of FOX News accused PETA of having terrorist connections for making a $1,500 contribution to the Earth Liberation Front, which has participated in acts of domestic terrorism.
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Chelsea to have blooming wildflowers along U.S. 280 10/18/2006 Birmingham News LAURA McAlister		Return to Top
AU cited as a source in this story. Members of Chelsea's Beautification Committee are hoping drivers will slow down and smell the wildflowers when they pass through the city. The city is paying Sunscape Landscape Company, based in Chelsea, about $1,600 to plant wildflowers on U.S. 280. The first phase will extend along just a portion of the highway, but City Council member Juanita Champion said eventually the city hopes to have the flowers planted from one end of the city to the other. The Beautification Committee has been researching ways to beautify Chelsea's stretch of U.S. 280 for about a year. Member Cammie Sanders headed the project. "She really did a lot of research," Champion said. In talking with the Alabama Department of Transportation and Auburn University, Sanders found that wildflowers can reduce speeding and littering. "We felt that was an added benefit, because people tend not to litter when they see the flowers out there," Champion said. The flowers will be planted on weekends before Nov. 15 and should be in bloom by the spring. Along with poppies, the committee picked a bluish-purple wildflower called vervain, which Champion said ties in with the city's colors of blue and white. E-mail: lmcalister@bhamnews.com
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Groups Launch Initiative to Fight World Hunger 10/18/2006 Georgetown University		Return to Top
AU is cited as a sponsor of Universities Fighting World Hunger in this story. A new coalition of universities have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the fight to end world hunger, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) announced at Georgetown University Oct. 16. In honor of World Food Day, Georgetown hosted a one-day conference launching the new U.N. initiative, Universities Fighting World Hunger. The event featured some of the leading experts and activists on the issue, as well as Georgetown leaders, faculty, students and staff. "My goal, my hope, my dream, my wish, is that the world will build a movement not unlike movement that has addressed civil rights in this country," said James Morris, WFP's executive director. More than 50 American colleges and universities have joined the effort to fight global hunger, the WFP announced. World Food Day is the anniversary of the founding of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. Model and activist Lauren Bush attended the event in her role as the WFP's honorary ambassador to students. According to the U.N., chronic hunger affects more than 850 million people in the world, and close to half of them are children. "In this fight, we must commit ourselves to study the root causes of hunger," said Jane McAuliffe, dean of Georgetown's college of arts and sciences, "to teach our students and community how to help combat this crisis and to act for our fellow citizens around the globe." Speakers at the conference urged universities to conduct research to increase knowledge about hunger issues and share that information with the public. They also talked about the importance of conducting food drives, talking to legislators and working to find sustainable solutions to hunger, such as programs that focus on specific locations and help the poor help themselves. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) cited legislation he sponsored to relieve debt owed by developing countries and how debt relief can make a significant difference in fighting hunger. He said that while Dickens wrote "A Tale of Two Cities" in the mid-1800s, today is a "tale of two worlds -- one very rich and one very poor." Bachus encouraged the audience to "help our sisters and brothers in other worlds." Some of the speakers discussed personal observations of hunger. Tony Hall, former ambassador to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Missions and former Democratic congressman from Ohio, talked about his new book, "Changing the Face of Hunger: The Story of How Liberals, Conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, and People of Faith are Joining Forces in a New Movement to Help the Hungry, the Poor, and the Oppressed." The book was written from his journals, which spanned his three-decade quest to fight hunger around the world. "I had heard reports that 200,000 Ethiopians had died in 1984, and nearly one million likely would die by the end of the year, and millions were at risk," Hall read from his first chapter. "But none of this prepared me for what I was about to experience." He had been traveling with Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity organization. A doctor told him there were thousands of starving Ethiopians but that he could only pick five or six children to treat. Parents held their children up to Hall, thinking he was a doctor, saying in desperation that their kids would die if he didn't help them. Thoughts of his own children went through his mind, so much that he put on sunglasses "not to protect my eyes from the tropical sun, but to hide my tears." He also told the audience at Georgetown, "We have to educate ourselves, we have to educate the people around us, we have to educate politicians." Another speaker at the conference talked about his work in economic growth and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe native Callisto Madavo, visiting professor of African studies at Georgetown, worked on these issues when he was vice president for the World Bank's Africa Region. "I put a lot of emphasis on three things," Madavo said. "One is, greater investment in agriculture and rural areas in these countries … greater investment in agricultural research, and third, greater efforts in linking the research to the farmers that actually practice it [so such research] can be used and strengthen the productive base for agriculture and food." The day focusing on hunger at Georgetown also included students selling food on campus while handing out information about hunger in various countries. Students also participated in the conference sessions. One featured Teddy Svoronos(F'08), co-chair of Georgetown's "Our Moment," a student group that focuses on the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals, which include eradication of world hunger. The event also featured a screening of the documentary, "To a Willing Mind: Universities Fighting World Hunger," by Bruce Kuerten and John DiJulio, as part of a World Food Day teleconference. The conference was sponsored by the World Food Programme, Auburn University, Bread for the World, the Alliance to End Hunger, the Georgetown University Initiative on International Development, the Mortara Center for International Studies, and the Center for Social Justice, Research, Teaching and Service. "We're all looking forward to progress in this terribly important issue and challenge of world hunger," said Mortara Center director Carol Lancaster, "and I think the universities being involved -- we must think that's a good thing and will make a difference."
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