SWAMPED! A GEOLOGICAL/ECOLOGICAL FIELD STUDY FOR A.P.E.S

Swamps and marshlands are regions of great environmental importance due to their high primary productivity, species diversity, and water filtering capacity. The Great Swamp in Putnam County, NY is important for all of these reasons, but it also has added importance: it is part of the massive Westchester County/New York City drinking water system (Croton Watershed). These factors combine to make the Great Swamp an ideal place to engage in a geological/ecological field study for advanced geoscience students. The execution of this field experience will be outlined and discussed, including details regarding preparation, objectives, expectations, and student evaluation. The connection with local institutions, both academic and environmental, will also be examined. Emphasis will be placed on viewing the experience as a way to develop a broad-based, thorough understanding of an important ecosystem from the geolocial, ecological, and human perspectives.