Alan Berkowitz
Alan Berkowitz fell in love with trees as a child along the Wissahickon Creek in the wilds of Philadelphia, and with teaching about the environment as a naturalist at the Grand Canyon. He received his BA in environmental studies from Antioch College in 1976 and a Ph.D. in plant ecology from Cornell University in 1986. As Head of Education at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies since 1985 he brings cutting edge science to ecology education programs for children, college students, teachers and adults since 1985. Emphasizing place- and inquiry-based learning, his work has championed teaching and learning about schoolyards, neighborhoods, cities, streams, the Hudson River and forests as ecosystems. Dr. Berkowitz leads the Education Team for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, a Long Term Ecological Research project, and has directed the Cary Institute’s research program for undergraduates for the past 32 years. He also directs the Undergraduate Research Program (URP) of the Urban Water Innovation Network (UWIN), supporting 9-10 students in a 9 week research experience at institutions around the nation. Dr. Berkowitz was the first Vice President for Education and Human Resources of the Ecological Society of America (ESA, 1995-2000), and was co-founder of ESA’s Presidential Award-winning SEEDS program.