SCC 2009 AG & NATURAL RESOURCES STUDENT OF THE YEAR SPEAKS TODAY

Marie McCann, a 2009 Shawnee Community College graduate, just completed a 5 month internship as part of the Global Vision International organization.

Today, she shared her story with Kevin Rhodes's Conservational of Natural Resources class.

GVI is a non-political, non-religious organization, which through its alliance with over 150 project partners in over 40 countries, provides opportunities for participants to fill a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development.

McCann participated in the Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa. Although this was her first destination outside the United States, she settled right into her volunteer role, traveling in safari-type vehicles.

McCann vividly described the vast 40,000 acres which served as her home and workplace. Most of her work centered around observing and recording predatory animal activity, noting animal size, eating habits and their interaction with the environment.

Using radio telemetry as part of the recording process, she monitored large predators using a radio collar system. McCann explained the system as an informative, yet human way to research animals without caging them. Sharing photos of her expedition and describing the various settings, McCann told the class, "It was an incredible experience."

McCann also completed field guide training. McCann completed an Associate of Arts, Natural Resources in May, 2009 and was recognized as the 2009 SCC Ag and Natural Resources Student of the Year.

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