Traveling Insights: An Inside Perspective

Today was different than the rest of the conference in many regards.  First of all, about 50% of the scheduled sessions were cancelled because the presenters failed to actually show up to the conference in the first place!  This was especially unnerving, as I wanted to listen to quite a few about biofuel and constructed wetlands, but they were all cancelled.  So me, being my usual studious self, found a seat outside to study up for my entomology test.  I didn't feel like subjecting myself to more of the micro-discussions, because it is just too far out of my element.  I don't even feel like I can be a part of the conversation because doing so would require me actually understanding the basic concepts.  Graphs can get complicated, let me tell you.  I went to one session yesterday where the researcher spent five of his fifteen allotted minutes explaining the various features of his graph.  It made sense by the end, but geez. The field trip was a...

I think the best (and worst) part about conferences is the yin and yang I experience being completely inundated with new information and the vocabulary of very highly educated individuals while at the same time shoving it in the opposite direction so that I can breathe, calm my mind, and figure out how all of this data will fit into context of my world.  Some of the main thoughts that I was able to refine from a boatload of sessions: The International Phytotechnologies Society is young.  It's young, and but its membership reflects the opposite trend.  No one has realized the exposure and growth that they could experience if they were to  Re-do their website  Put it in a mobile-friendly format Join the world of social media Partner with bigger organizations that have influence and large audiences I, coming at this from a newbie standpoint to the subject, can see huge potential for scientists working in this field to extend their branches to the rest ...

So..I just counted eleven pages of notes from today alone, but I promise I will not bore you with typing them all up.  Besides, I bet at least two of those are filled with weird side notes to myself and mind-mapping diagrams.  Today was awesome.  All of the presentations and speakers really built off of one another and created a giant picture for me.  It wasn't until later in the afternoon, and especially at the banquet, that I realized how young the International Phytotechnologies Society is!  1999 is when things really started to kick off, and since then, the group has seen exponential growth.  I don't think they have been able to keep up with it, in fact, as you can see from their outdated website.  :)  That was "re-vamped" just this year, and I can think of a number of ways in which they might reach greater audiences by just a few tweaks in design.  Also, incorporating more social media into the information they are publishing would boos...

Did you know that in the state of Kansas, agriculture provides around 127,000 jobs and represents $46 billion worth of economic activity?  Dr. Gary Pierzynski, one of the opening program speakers, introduced those attending opening day to the idea that soil is worth money.  A lot of money, actually.  $5 million is lost with every ton of soil that becomes degraded.  This stems from the idea that soil is the heart of all living things.  What exactly would the earth look like without soil? The benefits that we obtain from nature, or ecosystem services, are divided into four different categories: Provisioning This means that nature provides us with food and natural resources from which we can alter or build  Supporting The idea that cycles are in place that constantly shift nutrients in and out of different forms, such as the carbon and nitrogen cycle Regulating This role limits itself to water, in any of its forms as part of the water cycle (Fo...

Hello friends and family!  It has been quite a while since I've posted on this blog (I should have done so when I went to AASHE in Portland last year) but I'm at it again, sharing my thoughts, lessons learned, and information that I've gained from my travels.  This time I'm going to Manhattan, not too far away from home, to attend the 12th International Phytotechnologies Conference. For those of you who aren't very familiar with the topic, "phytotechnology" is the fancy way of saying "using plants to remedy contaminated soils".  I don't have much in the way of background on this topic, but from the little reading that I have done, I very much look forward to immersing myself in this world for a few days.  Opportunities to meet people from across the globe is always exciting, but having something in common with them is even greater!  I have a feeling I will come away inspired to implement some of the ideas into my work at school or later in...