As we prepare for a new school year, we should take time to appreciate the joy that nature offers to us, including the nature here at Pace. The Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center at Dyson College (SBCC) has made some significant changes to educate the Pace community about the environment. Jacob Reiter, Conservation Center Manager at the SBCC, discusses the importance of the new name of the center.
“Previously, the nature center was managed by the Dyson College Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (DCISE), an organization within the department of Environmental Studies and Science,” Reiter said. “This organization contained many programs, including what we used to know as the nature center.”
The new name of the center conveys the efforts of the SBCC to promote and maintain biodiversity. “As of February, through our rebranding efforts, the name DCISE has been changed to The Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center at Dyson College (SBCC), and all of our programs are now known under this name. This name reflects the current work of our organization, which is focused on education, research, and advocacy for local biodiversity in the Lower Hudson Valley and NYC regions.”
Reiter points out that the new name does not mean that the Conservation Center will be making changes to its programs or staff members.
“Going forward, we are no longer using the name ‘Nature Center, ‘ and that space can be referred to as the Conservation Center from now on. This name change does not reflect any programmatic or staffing changes, but we would like our Pace community, and the communities of Westchester County, to understand the need for change and use our new name for the future.”
Reiter discusses the new services and activities held at the Conservation Center, saying “additional changes include updated interpretive signage placed around the Conservation Center, implementation of monthly public education programs, and revitalized use of our facilities for new initiatives, including our Native Plant Propagation project, and breeding bird monitoring through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program.”
The Conservation Center looks to collaborate with different on-campus departments as well as different organizations. “This upcoming year, we are planning to expand our academic and programmatic initiatives to involve more of the departments on campus, as well as different community organizations and partners.”
In addition, Reiter explains that the Conservation Center will be piloting new programs focused on native wildlife conservation.
“Other big-ticket items include preparing the former animal enclosures to be used for our Wildlife Rehabilitation program, which will see the center taking in injured and ill native wild animals for treatment to be released back into the wild.”
The Conservation Center will also provide programs to students to enhance their knowledge of environmental sustainability. Reiter states that the SBCC will be “offering students the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of wildlife management and conservation through course collaborations and workshops.” The program does not have an official start date, but their hope is to launch it sometime in the spring semester.
Reiter further discusses additional activities and programs for students to participate in.
“We run a ‘Winter Wildlife’ program in January, and a ‘Birding for Beginners’ program during migration in May. Additionally, we host field trips, workshops, and volunteering events sporadically throughout the year. We also will open the Conservation Center up for various team-building and training activities for different campus groups (Orientation Leaders, Athletics, etc.).”
The Center also helps students learn about conservation in their courses.
“Academically, we collaborate with many courses in the [Environmental Studies and Science] department to offer students hands-on learning opportunities, as well as with courses in the Biology department (Ecology, Biology and Contemporary Society), [University 101], and many more to come.”
Reiter, who has been working at the Conservation Center since April 2024, talks about what he enjoys about working at the Conservation Center.
“The thing I enjoy most is being able to focus on my specific interests in the field. I am a Wildlife Scientist by training, with a focus on avian ecology and conservation. Working for the SBCC, I am able to spend time working with wild birds, through avenues like our NestWatch project, among others.”
Reiter also highlights his experiences educating students about conservation.
“I also enjoy being able to interface with students and the public. One of my true passions is engaging with people through conservation education, and with the SBCC, that’s our number one priority.”
In addition, Reiter points out that the Conservation Center is available to all students, staff, and faculty.
“The Conservation Center is a resource for the entirety of Pace. You do not need to be an Environmental Science student to use our center. The interpretive trails and scenic seating areas are open for all students, staff, and faculty to enjoy. While the center may have been static for the last few years, we are now working to bring it back as a focal point of Pace, with offerings for everyone to enjoy.”
To learn more about the Conservation Center, students can contact Jacob Reiter by email at [email protected] or visit him in his office in the Dyson College Environmental House.