A Case Study Involving Plum Tree Island NWR
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Plum tree island is an island located in Hampton Roads, Virginia near the end of the Chesapeake Bay. This island is important because most of the island is a salt marsh and wetland which was used as a bombing range by the Department of Defense. Wetlands are very important because they mitigate the effects of sea level rise, and climate change while also providing an ecosystem for other animals. The wetlands are also disappearing which is why this area is so important to focus on. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aims to conserve and protect this island as a national wildlife refuge while opening the whole refuge for public use. This is an example of a wicked problem, and wicked problems are unique. The OEAS 466W course provides a “learning by experience” environment, in which students research case studies focusing on wicked problems related to real-world issues. Case studies are an important tool to develop options to address such wicked problems. Addressing these problems often requires a participatory trans disciplinary approach. Wicked problems are always symptoms of other problems and this systemic character requires systems. The case study starts with the collaborative part bringing the stakeholders together then the next requirement is to get the stakeholders to agree on the goal, which actually defines the wicked problem. This goal is used in the case study template in the course.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Eddie Hill
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Environmental Studies
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons, Atrium
Start Date
2-8-2020 8:00 AM
End Date
2-8-2020 12:30 PM
A Case Study Involving Plum Tree Island NWR
Learning Commons, Atrium
Plum tree island is an island located in Hampton Roads, Virginia near the end of the Chesapeake Bay. This island is important because most of the island is a salt marsh and wetland which was used as a bombing range by the Department of Defense. Wetlands are very important because they mitigate the effects of sea level rise, and climate change while also providing an ecosystem for other animals. The wetlands are also disappearing which is why this area is so important to focus on. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aims to conserve and protect this island as a national wildlife refuge while opening the whole refuge for public use. This is an example of a wicked problem, and wicked problems are unique. The OEAS 466W course provides a “learning by experience” environment, in which students research case studies focusing on wicked problems related to real-world issues. Case studies are an important tool to develop options to address such wicked problems. Addressing these problems often requires a participatory trans disciplinary approach. Wicked problems are always symptoms of other problems and this systemic character requires systems. The case study starts with the collaborative part bringing the stakeholders together then the next requirement is to get the stakeholders to agree on the goal, which actually defines the wicked problem. This goal is used in the case study template in the course.