Teacher flocking to bird expedition
By MELISSA DIPENTO
The Cherry Hill Sun
7/1/2011

Inez Korff is about to embark on a trip that will take her across the country to Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, to study one thing: birds.

You could call the Carusi Middle School world languages teacher a glorified bird watcher, but she’ll be doing more than just spotting sparrows and gazing at geese.

Korff was selected from more than 400 applicants nationwide to participate in the Songbirds of the Rocky Mountains Expedition through the Earthwatch Institute.

Her expedition begins on July 1. She said she hopes to learn more about human impact on the declining population of birds.

“I’m passionate about the environment. This is an opportunity as a non-scientist to learn something new and be active in the environment,” Korff said. “As a world language teacher, I am always hungry to go outside of my comfort zone, develop new perspectives and re-connect to the learning process.”

Korff said she is one of six teacher fellows selected for the program. And although she doesn’t yet know much about bird habitats, she is familiar with the process of studying animals.

In 2009, she traveled to Canada with the Earthwatch Institute on the Whales of British Columbia Expedition. She enjoyed the trip and said she was thankful to have the chance to go on the bird expedition.

On this trip, Korff said, she and other volunteers will work with Dr. Embere Hall and her team in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest to identify nests and species, tag birds with color bands to monitor them and implement mist-nets to capture birds, which allows scientists to measure how many birds have been caught and how many have survived and reproduced.

Korff said she is excited about the work she plans to do in Wyoming.

“I’ve never been to the Grand Tetons. I’m looking forward to connecting with others like me,” she said.

When Korff returns, she plans to share her findings. Korff said she’ll be in touch with Sustainable Jersey and may possibly work with them on a community action plan.

Even though she teaches world languages at Carusi, she said she also hopes to share some of her experiences in the classroom this fall.

“The most important lesson I want to bring back to my school and community is that everyone needs to be active and vigilant when it comes to environmental stewardship; not just scientists and not just science teachers,” Korff said. “Through my participation, I hope to model lifelong learning and promote living more sustainably, for my students to develop an appreciation of the larger world around us and for all of us to be active participants in environmental preservation.”