Conserving Vermont\u27s Endangered Species through Designation of Critical Habitat

Although the Endangered Species Act of 1973 is federal legislation, protection of threatened and endangered (T & E) species varies in stringency across states. H.570 (Act 145) is a Vermont law passed during the 2015-2016 legislative session that updated some of the legal protections for T & E species. Through this legislation, the State was given the authority to protect critical habitat for T & E species through the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. However, the legislation did not provide an official way to designate areas as critical habitat. The purpose of this study was to design an application form for the designation of T & E critical habitat, as a supplementary document to this law. Throughout the course of this work, I collaborated with a variety of stakeholders to ensure the successful development of the form. This project ultimately informs and facilitates future actions regarding protection of habitat for endangered and threatened species in Vermont

Predictors of Autonomy Support at Diabetes Summer Camp: A Self-Determination Theory Approach

Diabetes is considered to be one of the most psychologically and behaviorally demanding chronic illnesses facing adolescents (Cox & Gonder-Fredrick, 1992). To control the disease more effectively, adolescents must learn to undertake the management of their diabetes themselves (Mensing, et al., 2000; Ruggiero, et al., 1997). Self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) was used as a foundation to explore the mechanisms, within a summer camp, that led to increased perceptions of autonomy support. Research shows autonomy support to be a critical prerequisite for increased autonomous behavior. With over 350 specialty camps serving youth with diabetes (Diabetes Education and Camping Association, 2005), summer camp has long been considered an effective modality for youth with medical related issues to learn, grow, and deal with their illnesses (Winfree, Williams, & Powell, 2002). By using the active camping environment, diabetes camps, specifically, are an invaluable way for children with diabetes to gain skills in managing their disease ... (ADA, 2004, p. 131). However, little empirical evidence has been able to demonstrate how and why these benefits occur in camp settings. Data were collected from 66 campers participating in a 6-day diabetes summer camp located in the Sawtooth mountains of Idaho during 2004. An eight item researcher created instrument, The Activity Specific Autonomy Support Questionnaire (ASASQ), was created to provide insight into perceptions of autonomy support upon completion of camp activities. A two-level hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the data. Level 1 consisted of experience predictors (group size, nature of competition, instructional approach, and activity type) and Level 2 consisted of participant predictors (age, sex, and diabetes duration). Finally, an exploratory analysis was conducted to determine possible cross-level interactions between experience and participant predictors

The Awareness Activation Model for Transfer of Learning in Experiential Settings

An individual applying her or his newfound knowledge and transferring the information, through action to a new setting is a valued out­come for experiential education practitioners. At the most basic level, the notion of transfer of knowledge appears so simple and commonsensical that it may only subconsciously serve as the focal point of initiative/rope course activities. Yet, transfer facilitated with intention may very well make any new knowledge acquired through experience more efficacious, applicable, and enduring for an individual. Intentional facµitation, including isomorphic framing, may be the trigger that activates one\u27s sense of mindfulness toward long-term use or even a disposition for application of knowl­edge developed through contrived settings to reality. The purpose of this paper is to present a model designed to intentionally increase the transference from initiative/ropes course activi­ties to reality

High time for government action to make the OECD Guidelines a force for sustainable FDI

FDI can be responsible only if it is accountable to workers and communities negatively impacted by investments and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises should ensure accountability for victims of corporate misconduct. However, until the OECD’s complaint mechanism is significantly reformed, victims will lack effective access to remedy

A customer centric lens for good agricultural practices

Adaptive Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) requires buyers and implementers to take a customer-centric approach. This paper advocates understanding the underlying incentives for farmers and the fundamental business decisions faced by smallholders, identifying the most appropriate practices, and identifying potential pathways for adopting and maintaining GAP. Industry actors promoting GAP need to empathize with the smallholder business case and demonstrate how the smallholder will be better off by implementing GAP. The study identifies pathways for appropriate practices by “segmenting” demographic characteristics, farming behaviour, markets, production costs, and social factors such as inclusion or discrimination