Author: Brian Kateman

Brian Kateman

Brian Kateman serves as the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability’s assistant program manager. He is responsible for managing the center’s website and assortment of social media platforms to promote and market select education programs. Kateman uses his background in evolutionary biology and ecology to serve as the main contributor on the Eco Matters Blog — part of the Earth Institute’s State of the Planet Blog. Additionally, he coordinates the center’s distance learning program and internship program. Prior to arriving at the center, Kateman completed three consecutive summers of internships at Echoing Green, EICES, and the National Wildlife Refuge Association through The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship. Kateman holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in psychology from The Macaulay Honors College–College of Staten Island. His research interests concern the link between land alterations and changing weather patterns on species dispersal, social dynamics and population decline from both evolutionary and conservation perspectives. Building upon his previous research experiences, which address the influence of environmental uncertainty on the behavior, distribution and survivorship of rats, snakes and trees, Kateman completed his honors thesis, entitled “Avian Long Distance Dispersal — An Important Mechanism for Range Expansion.” He enrolls in the M.A. in Conservation Biology Program through the E3B Department at Columbia University in fall 2013.

Mysterious Honeybee Deaths Remain Unsolved

by | 5.10.2013 at 3:40pm
Since 2006, millions of bees have been dying in a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. There are now 2.5 million honeybee colonies in the United States, down from 6 million several decades ago. Photo Credit: Steve Evans

According to a comprehensive federal study, the collapse of American honeybee colonies stems from a complex slew of factors, including pesticides, parasites, poor nutrition and a lack of genetic diversity.

Spring Courses in Conservation, Ecology & Policy

by | 3.13.2013 at 10:56am
Executive

The Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) at Columbia University provides executive training in environmental sustainability through courses in science, economics and policy. We invite you to join our leading experts and practitioners, strengthen your understanding of human-ecosystem interactions, and become an effective environmental leader and decision-maker.

Coral Reef Ecology: Bermuda – Spring Break Course

by | 1.23.2013 at 5:24pm
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Bermuda is a world leader in marine conservation and the perfect place to experience the wonder of coral reefs. Let the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) be your guides to the world of corals through lectures, labs, and fieldwork.

Explore Field Ecology in Puerto Rico

by | 1.2.2013 at 1:14pm
View from the top of El Yunque

The Earth Institute’s Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates (SEE-U) program provides undergraduate students of all majors from all accredited colleges or universities with a global understanding of ecology and environmental sustainability.

New Spring 2013 Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

by | 12.21.2012 at 11:10am
Executive

The Earth Institute provides executive training in environmental sustainability through science, policy, and economics; we invite you to learn from our leading experts and practitioners to become an effective environmental leader and decision-maker.

A New Mission — Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability

by | 12.17.2012 at 1:11pm
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The Center for Environmental Research and Conservation has grown into two institutions—and now it has a new name: the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability.

Open House: Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability

by | 11.19.2012 at 2:45pm
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The Earth Institute’s Professional Development Program in Environmental Sustainability provides three graduate credits in human ecology coupled with curriculum development for the secondary school classroom. The Program is designed to support educators in increasing their understanding of the inquiry process and environmental sustainability in the urban context that is New York City; and, then integrate their new knowledge with STEM and literacy, inclusive of skills acquisition.

Reflections on an Ecological Study Abroad Experience

by | 11.15.2012 at 12:32pm
Coqui

“Everything is so alive in the forest. After a nice summer rain it teems with insects, birds and the famous coquis, Puerto Rico’s native frogs. The song of the coquis take a little getting used to, but they soon lull you to sleep in the humid nights,” says Jennifer Mendez, a student in the first class of the Summer Ecosystem Experience for Undergraduates in Puerto Rico.

New Courses in Conservation, Sustainability

by | 11.9.2012 at 4:17pm
certificate

The Center for Environmental Research and Conservation provides executive training in environmental sustainability through science, policy, and economics; we invite you to learn from our leading experts and practitioners to become an effective environmental leader and decision-maker.

Arctic Archipelago: Ground Zero For Climate Change

by | 11.8.2012 at 4:53pm
Svalbard is an archipelago in the Arctic, constituting the northernmost part of Norway. The archipelago features an Arctic climate, although with significantly higher temperatures than other areas at the same latitude. Sixty percent of the archipelago is glacier, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords - Photo by Woodwalker.

Summer temperatures on the archipelago of Svalbard, 400 miles north of Norway, are now higher than at any other period in the last 1,800 years, according to a new study in the journal Geology.