Submitted by Kurt Spreyer on
This project involves research on the history of watersheds in the East Bay, focusing on the collection and interpretation of oral histories and other resources, which will be used to develop watershed story maps supporting Wholly H2O’s “Walking Waterhoods” East Bay watershed tours program. The research will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Dougherty, Executive Director of Wholly H2O, a non-profit organization that offers educational activities that inspire environmental stewardship by forging personal connections with local watersheds through collaborative programming grounded in community science, history and arts.
Timeframe: The project will be initiated during the Spring 2024 semester, and is likely to carry forward through Fall 2024 and beyond. Applicants are expected to work through the Spring 2024 semester, and may be able to continue in the position in future semesters.
Course credit and time-commitment: The undergraduate researcher will enroll in an ESPM 199, Independent Study, course for a minimum of one unit, with the expectation that they will contribute at least 45 hours of work over the course of the semester.
Contact: Students may contact Kurt Spreyer kspreyer@berkeley.edu with questions pertaining to the project.
The undergraduate researcher will collect and review oral histories and other historical materials, and develop outward facing story maps.
Some work may be completed remotely, though some field-based work may also be required.
Excellent research skills
Excellent writing skills
Knowledge of Storymaps or willingness to learn
Interest in California BIPOC history
Interest in natural history