Upcoming ECO Events
Turtle Trapping in Westhampton Lake
Learn how to set-up hoop traps in the Westhampton Lake for trapping turtles. Sunday April 12th @ noon to set up traps. Traps will be checked on Monday and Tuesday @ 1:30 Email Emily Boone if you are interested in participating. eboone@richmond.edu
Guest Speaker: Aaron Proctor, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
April 14 @ 5:00 PM, Gottwald Conference Room D100 Aaron works as the DWR's Policy Manager & Legislative Liaison. During this talk, Aaron will discuss the work being done by the Department of Wildlife Resources, insights into what a career at the DWR looks like, and his path to getting there! This event is a great opportunity for students interested in wildlife biology, conservation careers, or working with state agencies, and environmental policy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Possible Paid Summer Teaching Assistant (TA): If you are planning to be in Richmond this summer and are looking for a short-term opportunity, there may be a Teaching Assistant opportunity for the BIOL/ENVR 199: Introduction to Ecology course/lab offered during the summer Week II term starting on June 22 (dependent on number of students enrolled). The class/lab meets M-F from 9 am -noon for 5 weeks, with some additional clean-up and prep for the next-day. A student with existing approval to drive university vehicles is preferred. Contact Jennifer Sevin at jsevin@richmond.edu for more information.
Teaching Assistants (TA) for Fall 2026 (paid opportunities):
1. BIOL/ENVR 199: Biodiversity and Conservation lab on Tuesday afternoons 1:30-4:20 (with some prep and clean-up time before and after lab); TA will need to be comfortable touching live organisms and being outside in various weather conditions, available to periodically check equipment during the week or a weekend, have Excel and basic statistics experience, and willing to drive a university van for off campus labs (3 years of a clean driver record is needed for approval). Contact Dr. Jennifer Sevin jsevin@richmond.edu if you are interested.
2. BIOL/ENVR 199: Coastal Marine Ecology lab on Thursday afternoons 1:30-4:20. TA must be willing to drive university vehicles, including a van and SUV (3 years of a clean driver record is needed for approval), participate in an over-night field trip to the coast, and (preferred) to set-up and clean-up before and after lab. Contact Emily Boone at eboone@richmond.edu if you are interested.
3. BIOL/ENVR 199: Invasions in Biology lab on Thursday afternoons 1:30-4:20. A TA that is familiar with field work and basic molecular biology (DNA extractions, PCR, gels, etc), as well as the ability to prepare for labs on Wednesday afternoons or another mutually decided time is preferred. Contact Dr. Carrie Wu at cwu@richmond.edu if you are interested.
Fall Semester Research Opportunity:
Dr. Jennifer Sevin has 2 openings for students interested in conducting research on conservation topics in the Fall semester. Topics vary with field, lab or data-based computer research opportunities. Biology and Environmental Studies students can earn 0.5 units (~6 hours per week of work). Contact jsevin@richmond.edu to learn more.
Upcoming UR EVENTS
Spider Meetup Community Cleanup, Sunday April 12 at noon URL: https://uronline.net/rva/04.12.26, Join fellow Spiders for a meaningful Sunday afternoon of community service during our Spider Meetup Community Cleanup, hosted by Andrew K. Duffy, '07. We're teaming up with RVA Clean City Sweep to support Adopt-a-Spot trash cleanup efforts in Jefferson Park.
Biology Seminar - Annual Phi Beta Kappa speaker Monday, April 13 in Gottwald Auditorium 12-1 pm. Ximena Bernal (Purdue Univ.) is a mix of behavioral ecologist + sensory biologist, and her lab works on the eco-evo interplay in animal communications (mostly in frogs/toads), and also the impacts of human activities on these behavioral traits. Reach out to Dr. Jonathan Richardson if you would like to meet with this speaker outside of the presentation.
Earth Day & End of Year Celebration Hosted by Geography Dept. & Environmental Studies Prog. When: Wednesday, April 22, 4:00PM – 6:00PM EDT, Where: The Eco-Corridor - "Student Classroom" by the River Rd end. Rain Location: Humanities Commons; Come out and celebrate Earth Day and our Geography, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability Seniors! We'll have food, games, and senior gifts. RSVPs help us w ordering food. https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/2veyVkvHbGzQ2kSWVypAk
