Graduated in Environmental Sciences, Megan Moppett Receives University Medal | Western lawyer

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Computing was growing on a farm that first sparked Megan Moppett’s interest in nature. And now, she’s transformed that childhood interest into lifelong learning, graduating from CSU earlier this month with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science (ecological conservation) and becoming one of the rare graduates to receive the prestigious university medal. Ms Moppett lives on a farm property south of Bathurst and told her parents at a young age that she wanted to be a national park ranger. “My love for plants, animals and the environment has persisted throughout my life as I grew up on a farm and spent much of my time in the bush,” he said. she declared. “After leaving school, I worked for several years in agriculture, science and horticulture. However, I have always believed that my true calling was ecology and conservation, so it was natural for me to study for a degree in environmental science. I enrolled in this course as a mature student, challenging myself to finally achieve my dream, which had been simmering in the background for many years. to receive this recognition for my hard work and my commitment to my studies, ”she said. Like many students, much of Ms Moppetts’ studies were undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic and, as a distance student, that meant a number of her boarding schools were canceled or postponed. “The university has done a great job providing flexible options, including creating boarding school experiences online,” she said. “However, the lack of face-to-face contact was difficult, and I struggled at times with anxiety about ratings and motivation. “To deal with this, I drew on reserves of determination and courage that I didn’t know I had before, and it was also imperative for me to establish regular contact with my teachers, who were all very supportive and understanding. motivation, I tried to maintain a balanced lifestyle, walked in the bush everyday to remind myself why I was doing this, and I also got involved in a number of citizen science projects such as Hoot Detective, iNaturalist and FrogID. well-deserved leave over the summer to reunite with friends and family, Ms Moppett intends to begin a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in 2022. She would like to contribute to environmental research and help improve our understanding and our stewardship of Australia’s unique and spectacular species and ecosystems.In the last semester of her graduation, Ms. Moppett was offered a Technical Manager position with CSU’s Applied Ecology Unit at Orange, participating in a research project investigating g biodiversity in vineyards. “This experience confirmed my intention to pursue a career in research in my specialization, ecological conservation,” she said. “My Honors project will compare different types of birdhouses, which are often used to supplement natural hollows in trees for wildlife.” I hope to determine which types are preferred by different types of animals and which factors have the most influence on the conditions inside. “As extreme weather events become more and more frequent, it will become more and more important to determine what types of structures and situations provide the best homes for native wildlife, and I am very happy to participate in this area of ​​research. What about Ms. Moppett’s advice for prospective students considering graduate school? “It takes a lot of hard work and some sacrifice, however, for me the benefits far outweighed the challenges.” Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can access our trusted content:

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