Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

After historic sewage spill, 911�� researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant

sholla4 — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:59:50 +0000

After historic sewage spill, 911�� researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant sholla4 Thu, 09/24/2026 - 10:59

On January 19, 2026, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed. More than 240 million gallons of wastewater overflowed into the Potomac River. It was one of the largest sewage spills in United States history, right in 911��'s backyard.

While a temporary fix to the pipe was completed in March and DC Water continues to actively remediate the area, questions of long-term impact to this distinctive tidal freshwater estuary system linger. The team at 911��'s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC) hopes to find answers.

This summer, seven 911�� researchers received a RAPID grant of $299,886 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate how the sewage spill may have impacted water quality, aquatic life, and the overall health of the estuary. Led by co-PIs Amy Fowler, associate professor and interim director of PEREC, and Jennifer Salerno, associate professor of environmental science and policy and faculty fellow at PEREC, the grant team includes environmental science and policy faculty Thomas Reid Nelson, Cindy Smith, and Rosalina Christova, as well as Brittany Hupp, assistant professor of atmospheric, oceanic and earth sciences, and Benoit Van Aken, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

Students and alumni collect water samples in Gunston Cove for PEREC researchers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

One defining feature of PEREC—and the reason why this team was awarded the NSF grant—is its historical record of Gunston Cove water samples dating back to 1984. That data is invaluable in a project like this, as it gives the researchers points of comparison. And prior to receiving the NSF grant, the team was already taking samples, with support of seed funding from the College of Science, to start tracking the effects of the sewage spill as early as February 2026.

"We have 11 different sampling locations where we sample water quality and organisms each month," said Fowler. Their partners in the Potomac River Keeper Network, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and others are also aiding in sampling along the river.

Water quality monitoring includes standard measures such as temperature, salinity, clarity, and nutrients. The team is including a few additional measures. Checking for traces of PFAS, the chemical used on Teflon pans, is one addition, led by Van Aken. Hupp is monitoring heavy metals.

The team is also utilizing new technology: environmental DNA (eDNA). Macro- and microscopic species leave detectable traces of DNA as they interact with and move through the environment. Through an environmental sample—such as a water sample—researchers can detect the presence of the organism in an area from their DNA and map biodiversity without needing to directly sample or see the organisms themselves, from phytoplankton to fish.

"Typically, if you have big, severe, acute disturbances like this, you'll expect to see reductions in diversity," Salerno said. "So, we're going to test that theory, as well as examine if those changes affect the food web."

Students and alumni sample the waters of Gunston Cove. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Funding for the project ends in May 2027, though PEREC's standard water and organismal sampling in Gunston Cove, funded by Fairfax County, will continue to keep building their extensive library of historic data.

A second component of the NSF grant is tying this research into teaching and outreach—a good fit for PEREC, whose key pillars include educational outreach. Findings from this research will be incorporated into the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) program with Fairfax County Public Schools, led by environmental science and policy professor Cindy Smith. The team has also recruited more than 10 graduate, undergraduate, and high school student researchers. They will be trained in sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and science communication, and paired with graduate student mentors for additional support.

"The outcomes of this research could have a significant impact on how organizations prioritize and allocate funding in the future. In addition, the opportunity for students to gain hands-on field and/or laboratory experience through such a high-profile project would be an invaluable professional experience and meaningful addition to their resumes," said Fowler.

Students and alumni sample the waters of Gunston Cove. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Contaminated drinking water reservoirs and disease spread as a result of a large sewage spill in a public water source are, of course, top concerns. But Fowler and Salerno both note the cultural value of the river as well, and the importance of keeping it clean.

"There's been a cultural shift over the past few decades that has increased regional interest in the waterfront," Salerno added. "More and more, people want to use these water systems for recreation, which means there's growing interest in the water being clean and in conserving the ecosystem."

"The Potomac is known as the 'Nation's River' because it flows through the heart of the nation’s capital," said Fowler. "It’s history also played an important role in raising awareness about the nation’s water pollution crisis and the need for stronger protections."

The co-PIs noted that none of this work would be possible without continued collaboration and cooperation amongst the PEREC researchers and faculty.

"This grant is the culmination of years of expertise, effort, and collaboration," said Salerno. "We all specialize in different areas, with unique strengths and research backgrounds. But the river is what brings us together."

Students and alumni collect water samples in Gunston Cove for PEREC researchers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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College of Science

Atmospheric Oceanic and Earth Sciences

Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

National Science Foundation

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Special topics courses help students bridge science and communications

sbrown79 — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:39:20 +0000

Special topics courses help students bridge science and communications sbrown79 Thu, 04/09/2026 - 16:39

After taking notice of the growing distrust between the scientific community and the general public, 911�� adjunct professor Jennifer Lewis decided to take action by creating two special topics courses in 911��’s Environmental Science and Policy Department (ESP)—EVPP 490 Conservation Storytelling and EVPP 490/505 Media Production for Environmental Science and Policy—that teach students how to communicate with the public about science in a way that is captivating, interesting, and easy to understand. All emphasizing the use of story, which is the preferred method to communicate for humans.

Jenn Lewis and her students in Nepal. Photo provided.

Emerging scientists enrolled in these undergraduate/graduate classes to learn how to be better communicators with the public, putting information in context for them so they can be more informed, interested, and take appropriate action.

“Communication skills aren’t traditionally taught in scientific fields, so these courses definitely give students an advantage,” said Lewis, an adjunct professor. “Audiences need to be able to understand the information you’re trying to convey, so I teach my students how to simplify complex ideas so that anybody can understand them.”

Jenn Lewis and her students in Nepal. Photo provided.

Aligned with the Global Education Office, EVPP 490 is cross listed with EVPP, FAVS, and COMM, and is open to students of all majors. The course takes students to Nepal over winter break, giving 911�� students the opportunity to learn directly about global conservation issues, and how to share these stories with the public using visual media. Film topics from past classes include climate impacts in the Himalayas, human–wildlife conflict with growing tiger populations, and the use of endangered elephants as work animals.

U.S. Army veteran Ryan Franks is a senior environmental science major who took both special topics courses with Lewis. While in Nepal, he tested the water quality of the Bagmati River in the heart of Katmandu and created social media and YouTube content about his findings for one of his projects. The river is notorious for its pollution due to the lack of municipal solid waste infrastructure and clean water regulations in the city.

“People who live there rely on this water source, so it was great to be able to address this important issue with cleanup efforts,” said Franks, who is also a certified permaculture designer and master gardener who runs a small homestead garden where he grows his own produce.

Jenn Lewis and her students in Nepal. Photo provided.

“You can inform people that this river has 10 times the acceptable levels of mercury and phthalates, but then to show a picture or video of the river with literal trash floating across the surface and an oily sheen on the water will allow people to absorb that information differently,” said Franks. “Being able to take the skills that [Dr. Lewis] was teaching us, adding that visual element to it, and turning technical research into something that the general public could not only use, but would be genuinely interested in, was really cool.”

Ryan McIntire, MA Environmental Science and Policy ’25, took the media production course in fall 2024. The course implements multiple methods of storytelling, including podcasts, films, editorials, social media, and speaking engagements. 

“I really enjoyed Jen's approach to the course because scientists are expected to be very dry and factual with our communication, so it was nice to be a little more creative. I'd never done that in an academic setting before,” said McIntire, who was a teaching assistant for two years in the ESP Department.

Rachel Kelmartin, BS Biology ’16, is graduating with a masters in ESP with a concentration in Aquatic Ecology in May 2026. Kelmartin’s video projects incorporated her research on recreational fishing catch and release mortality statistics of striped bass.

“A really great way to spread awareness about this issue is social media. It has severely changed how we consume news; people need something bite-sized and easy to comprehend while hitting all the high points, but with these different platforms we can be sure to feature visual media to bridge that gap,” said Kelmartin, a part-time lab technician and Graduate Research Assistant in 911��’s Freshwater Ecology Laboratory. 

Kelmartin also credits Lewis with showing her how to adjust posting news and research updates on social media when there are shifts in the algorithms.

Jenn Lewis and her students in Nepal. Photo provided.

Many of the projects in Lewis’s courses have lasting impact including the fall 2023 film “Black Peaks” about the climate change impact in Nepal, which was shown at the International Mountain Film Festival and at COP27 in Egypt.  

EVPP 490/505 Media Production for Environmental Science and Policy is offered this coming fall. EVPP 490 Conservation Storytelling will be open for applications this summer. Learn more.

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College of Science

Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

Global Education Office

innovative classes

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Air Force veteran finds new mission in environmental science

Katarina Benson — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 19:13:04 +0000

Air Force veteran finds new mission in environmental science Katarina Benson Tue, 11/11/2025 - 14:13

In 911��’s College of Science—where nearly 16% of students are connected to the military—Air Force veteran Rylee Ledoux is using her public health experience and passion for the environment to support fellow veterans and pursue a future in environmental science. A former Air Force public health technician, she now serves as the senior military transition coordinator in Mason’s Office of Military Services while completing her bachelor of science in environmental science and policy.

After graduating high school, Ledoux joined the military after seeing her sister’s experience in the Army and the opportunities it offered to see the world. “The Air Force felt like a good way to learn, grow, and set myself up for something meaningful,” she said.

Ledoux worked in several public health sectors in the U.S. Air Force. Photo provided

That decision led her to Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, where she rotated through several areas of public health, including occupational health, deployment medicine, and communicable disease.

Then COVID-19 hit.

“Overnight the workload exploded,” she recalled. “I was assigned to a mission in Washington, D.C., for COVID operations, and that set the tone for the rest of my Air Force experience. I spent the remainder of my service in communicable disease, and it shaped a lot of how I see public health and the environment today.”

That experience became the foundation for Ledoux’s next chapter after completing four years in the Air Force. Drawn to the intersection of science and policy, she chose 911�� for its strong environmental programs, proximity to the nation’s capital, and reputation as a leading research institution.

“Working in communicable disease shows you really quickly how connected environmental health is to human health,” she said. “I wanted to study the root causes instead of only reacting to symptoms.”

Now, as part of Environmental Science and Policy professor Changwoo Ahn’s wetland ecology lab, Ledoux is learning to design and conduct research focused on restoration and ecosystem resilience. “I’m learning how to be precise in the field and how to understand ecological systems in a more meaningful way,” she said. “My goal after my master’s is to become a wetland ecologist and hopefully do restoration work.”

Ledoux works in the wetland ecology lab and hopes to do restoration work in her career. Photo provided

Ledoux will graduate this fall with her bachelor’s degree and, through 911��’s Bachelor’s-to-Accelerated-Master’s pathway, will continue into the environmental science and policy master’s program.

Her commitment to community extends beyond the lab. She serves on the College of Science Dean’s Student Advisory Council and, through her work in the Office of Military Services, supports military-affiliated students as they transition to academic life.

“My biggest advice for veterans is to ask questions early and reach out to the Office of Military Services,” she said. “Community is everything at 911��, especially for veterans. Once you lean into that community and participate in it, it gives you support, connection, and direction.”

That same sense of community and curiosity continues to guide her own journey. Beyond academics, Ledoux encourages others to embrace opportunities like studying abroad. She has participated programs in both Nepal and New Zealand.

“Seeing different cultures and ecosystems changed how I think about the world and my work,” she said. “I always tell people to take any chance they have to study abroad because it genuinely broadens your horizons.”

Looking back, Ledoux credits her military service with shaping both her resilience and sense of purpose. “It grounded me,” she said. “It taught me how to manage tough situations without losing focus. It was challenging, but it made me more disciplined, resilient, and goal oriented. I’m a better person because of it.”

Connect with the Office of Military Services

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College of Science

Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

Office of Military Services

Veterans

Students

Environmental science major lands internship with U.S. Geological Survey

Katarina Benson — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:35:51 +0000

Environmental science major lands internship with U.S. Geological Survey Katarina Benson Wed, 10/15/2025 - 15:35

911�� Environmental Science and Policy major Melanie Medrano has long aspired to work in the federal government, ideally on the front lines of creating meaningful environmental change. She took a major step toward that goal by starting an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), where she will assist in their communication efforts through December 2025.

USGS provides a range of data and expertise on earth sciences, water, biology, and mapping to aid decisions on environmental and public safety issues. At USGS’s National Climate Adaptation Science Center, Medrano supports two principal investigators working on the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework. This decision-making tool helps resource managers develop informed strategies for responding to ecological transformations within landscapes caused by climate change.

Melanie Medrano (center) with her mentors Abby Lynch (left) and Jackson Valler (right) at the Reston office. Photo provided

In her communications role, Medrano is helping expand the reach of the RAD framework beyond the USGS by supporting the launch of newsletters, producing case studies that highlight real-world applications of the RAD framework in different transforming landscapes, and interviewing scientists and managers who are implementing or researching RAD.

Although her internship, which started in February, is fully remote—which Medrano said aids in the balancing of her workload with coursework—she met the team in-person this past summer at the USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia. Medrano said her mentors have taught her a great deal about the importance of engaging in interagency conversations and how to communicate science in ways that are both clear and meaningful. Her experience with USGS has so far reinforced a key lesson: learning never stops.

One of the most significant takeaways, she noted, is the greater understanding of how science informs decision-making across various branches of the federal government, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of War. Medrano’s work with the USGS, combined with her environmental studies, offers her a comprehensive view of what’s possible when classroom learning is applied to real-world challenges.

Medrano said Department of Environmental Science and Policy professor Younsung Kim played a central role in securing her internship, helping with the application process and facilitating communications between her and USGS.

“It was definitely an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” Medrano said. “Dr. Kim always pushes students to gain real-world experience. She would constantly share opportunities with us, and one of those opportunities was the USGS program.”

Just as impactful, she said, was the encouragement she received from a close friend and fellow 911�� student already in the program. “She gave me the push I needed to apply,” Medrano said. “That kind of peer support reflects the culture at Mason.”

A first-generation college student, Medrano chose to study at 911�� because of its diversity and proximity to Washington, D.C. She is actively involved on campus, serving as the multimedia director of the Hispanic Latina Leadership Alliance, handling outreach to Hispanic students on campus.

She is also the social media director for the Sycamore Institute branch at 911��, the first undergraduate Think Tank run entirely by undergraduate students, focused on foreign policy and issues of international security.

When reflecting on her experience with USGS, the only regret Medrano has is the doubt she had for herself before applying to the internship. Her advice for others who are applying for internships is not to self-restrain based on the skills you feel you might be lacking.

“It’s important to network, especially with your professors,” Medrano said. “Let them know what you’re interested in, because you never know what opportunities might be out there.”

Medrano hopes to gain additional field experience and further her research before completing her undergraduate degree this fall. She is eager to continue her work within the federal government, with a particular interest in remaining with the USGS.

“I love what I do right now,” she said.

Since beginning her internship, Medrano has published member profiles for RADish and written a case study on applying the RAD framework to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.

Explore Internships at 911��

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In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race

lclarkg — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:38:49 +0000

In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race lclarkg Wed, 03/26/2025 - 10:38

911��’s Potomac Science Center on Belmont Bay is a destination for environmental science research within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Wildlife abounds on the waterfront habitat.

Undergraduate student Rylee Ledoux helped rescue turtles from the pond at the Potomac Science Center. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

Slightly inland from shore, on a recent day in early March, the retention pond next to the center needed to be emptied to make changes to the drainage system. As the water was slowly pumped out, the pond became mucky, muddy, and messy during the process.

Though draining a pond can be important for maintenance, the process may inadvertently harm the wildlife that make their homes in these human-made water features. The Mason Nation was ready to rescue some of the creatures affected.

Tanya Finch, who works with the nonprofit Animal Education and Rescue Organization (AERO), led the turtle rescue with help from nearly 20 911�� student, faculty, and staff volunteers. AERO helps rescue and rehabilitate native Virginia wildlife, and the volunteers caught and re-homed turtles and fish into the Occoquan River.

Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

Finch and 911�� volunteers conducted a similar turtle rescue early last fall, when another pond near the Potomac Science Center was drained for maintenance. Many turtle species need to be near water for survival, and they sometimes need help getting there.

During the recent turtle rescue event, volunteers spent the day collecting nearly 60 turtles from the pond. The species rescued included painted turtles, musk, red-eared sliders, cooters, and a large snapping turtle.

The rescue efforts continued as more turtles emerged.

The next day, graduate student Rachel Kelmartin saw a contractor in the pond area, struggling to remove more turtles from the mud. Kelmartin is studying environmental science and policy and works in the Fisheries Ecology Lab—so she is accustomed to going into the water and getting to work. Kelmartin put on waders, helped net another 25 turtles, and released them into the Occoquan River.

“I once counted over 250 turtles on the banks of the drainage pond in a single day,” Kelmartin said. “This little pond has the capacity to support a lot of life.” Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

“I once counted over 250 turtles on the banks of the drainage pond in a single day,” Kelmartin said. “This little pond has the capacity to support a lot of life.”

During winter, turtles burrow into the mud for brumation, which is similar to hibernation in mammals, Kelmartin said. After the pond was drained and the sun warmed the mud, the turtles started to emerge.

Volunteers rescued at least 85 turtles after the pond was drained, rehoming them in the Occoquan River. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

Walking trails meander around the Potomac Science Center and are frequently used by local residents. “Many of the turtles are habituated to humans, and during warmer months, they watch walkers ambling along the trail,” said Cindy Smith, professor of environmental science and policy. “Belmont Bay residents were pleased to see that so many turtles were rescued and relocated.”

Rylee Ledoux, an undergraduate student majoring in environmental science, also joined the rescue effort. She said the hands-on experience made her reflect on the ways that habitat disruption affects wildlife.

“Experiences like this not only reinforce what I’ve learned in my studies, but also highlight the importance of staying engaged and advocating for thoughtful environmental practices,” Ledoux said.

Learn more about the Potomac Science Center

Breaking down the composting process

lclarkg — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:46:23 +0000

Breaking down the composting process lclarkg Thu, 01/23/2025 - 09:46

Cindy Smith, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, took her EVPP 302 Biomes and Human Dimensions students to a composting facility last fall to give them a front-row seat for food and yard waste recycling.

Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

In the course, students examine human impacts on ecosystems. Because human activities often have a harmful effect on ecosystems, Smith also aims to show students positive, real-world examples of how humans can help mitigate these impacts.

“I want students to experience successful programs that are doing positive work, like keeping yard and food waste out of our landfills where the breakdown would produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas,” said Smith.

The field trip also offers insight into a career path for those interested in sustainability.

The Convertus composting facility, located in Manassas, Virginia, produces certified compost, mulch, and soil amendment products in bulk. The facility can process 80,000–100,000 tons of organic waste per year. This includes yard waste, tree branches, and food and restaurant waste.

A milk hauler dumps excess or expired milk products, which Convertus uses in the composting process. The students noted that it made the area smell like vanilla creamer. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science

During the field trip, students watched stages of the composting process, from the delivery of waste to the grinding, mixing, aerating, screening, and composting. They observed the different effects of various materials.

“The students were surprised to see a red tint in the leachate pond [during our visit], which resulted from red wine waste being processed,” said Smith.

911�� sends compostable scraps from multiple sources to the Convertus facility. Food waste is collected from campus dining and retail locations and Bigbelly Solar Zero Waste Stations. Two pilot programs collect compost materials in the form of paper towels from restrooms at the Facilities complex at Fairfax, and food waste from Katherine Johnson Hall at the Science and Technology Campus.

“It's great to see all this organic waste getting recycled into an economically viable product, rather than buried in a landfill or sent to a waste water treatment plant,” said Smith.

Learn more about sustainability at 911��

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Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center

lclarkg — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:31:16 +0000

Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center lclarkg Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:31

911��’s Potomac Science Center hosted the Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference on Thursday, February 29. This annual event welcomed 60 middle school students for a day of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The event promotes STEAM careers for young women through engaging discussions and hands-on activities.

The Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference was cosponsored by Mason, Schneider Electric, Prince William County Public Schools, The NEED Project, Dominion Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, and ACI Solutions. Pictured: Abigail Weigel, Schneider Electric. Photo by PEREC

Students learned about energy science and engineered energy efficient structures. All the student attendees came from five Title I schools in Prince William County.

The National Energy Education Development Project (The NEED Project) led two energy workshops. Participants built and tested the efficiency of a mocked-up “thermally insulated house” and generated and measured electricity conducted through various objects.

Middle school students engaged in hands-on STEAM activities along the waterfront of the Potomac Science Center. Photo by PEREC

A panel of women in STEAM shared stories about how they came into their careers and responded to student questions. The panel included Cindy Smith, professor of environmental science and policy and director K-12 partnerships for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC).

Mason Professor Cindy Smith (second from left) with Prince William County Schools staff Melinda Landry, Jeanne Jabara BS Biology ‘80, MS Environmental Biology ‘83, and Jess Doiron. Photo by PEREC

The Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference is cosponsored by Mason, Schneider Electric, Prince William County Public Schools, The NEED Project, Dominion Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, and ACI Solutions.

Conference space at the Potomac Science Center. Photo by PEREC

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Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

Prince William County

K-12 Partnerships

Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center

Picture This

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Potomac Science Center

Engineering with nature: Exploring Mason's contribution to water conservation

sbrown79 — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:17:13 +0000

Engineering with nature: Exploring Mason's contribution to water conservation sbrown79 Tue, 08/01/2023 - 10:17

In This Story

Celso Ferreira

Jennifer Sklarew

Many people at 911�� do not realize that Mason Pond is actually there for stormwater management.

That bit of news was delivered by Mason researcher Jennifer Sklarew during her talk at the recent Head Above the Water event in Washington, D.C.

Planned by Mason Exhibitions in the School of Art, with collaborators including the DC Department of Energy and Environment, City as Living Laboratory, local artists, and guest speakers, Head Above the Water included a walk along D.C.’s Watts Branch and Oxon Run streams to raise awareness about flooding in those neighborhoods and the flood mitigation programs available to residents.

Stream Restoration project by Facilities runs from Patriot Circle/Aquia Creek Lane to Mason Pond. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Mason is deeply committed to pioneering processes that can answer the grand challenges of water, its responsible management, and sustainability. In fact, the university’s interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge research as part of its strategic direction, has turned Mason’s campuses into a Living Lab.

Take what Sklarew, an assistant professor in Mason’s Department of Environmental Science and Policy, said about Mason Pond.

“The stormwater channels that look like streams are components of the actual stormwater system,” she said. “The pipes outflow into those streams, and then everything goes into the pond.”

But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Mason is doing and accomplishing when it comes to handling water resources on its campuses, using research and technologies that can be applied beyond to the broader community.

At Mason Square, Mason Innovation Partners encountered a serious infrastructure issue that posed a frequent stormwater challenge for the surrounding area of the new Fuse at Mason Square in the heart of Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.

Replacing the culvert required precise coordination with the future building foundation design and intricate sequencing to control the constant flow of stormwater as it was diverted from the old culvert pipes to a new 12 feet wide, 6 feet high box culvert.

Facilities also has an extensive list of mitigation protocols it applies to remove pollutants and control storm runoff flow rates, including Illicit discharge detection and elimination, and construction site runoff control.

Mason’s stormwater system is monitored by Facilities, which can prohibit projects that might interfere with the system. The university recently completed a stream restoration project on the Fairfax Campus that not only improved the flow of the waterways but added asphalt sidewalks and some lighting so the campus community can enjoy the paths.

Stream Restoration project by Facilities runs from Patriot Circle/Aquia Creek Lane to Mason Pond. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Also on the Fairfax Campus, the irrigation system has sensors that register rainfall to control landscape watering. The irrigation system on the Science and Technology Campus evaluates local weather data. Additionally, the campus strives to create more vegetated regions, with green roofs, vegetated gardens and swales. There are also plans to design additional dry and wet retention ponds to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution in our waterways.

Celso Ferreira, an associate professor in Mason’s Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, calls the approach engineering with nature—taking advantage of what nature already provides and using it efficiently in engineering.

“How can we use nature in a way that benefits society for flood protection other than being detrimental to causing more floods,” said Ferreira, who also heads Mason’s Flood Hazards Research Lab, a collaboration between multiple Mason colleges and the university’s Institute for Sustainable Earth. “We’re trying to investigate natural features that can help us in engineering design that we can use to smartly prevent flooding.”

Ferreira also co-directs the Virginia Climate Center, which works with local communities across the commonwealth to support climate resilience, action, and planning for communities. Ferreira said he tries to bring those concepts into the classroom “to make sure that the future engineering workforce that we’re graduating design and implement infrastructure in a way that they’re mindful of natural processes. Then we can use them smartly to prevent flooding.”

For Sklarew, the Head Above the Water event was a natural extension of the outreach work she does as a Mason faculty member.

Participants during the Head Above the Water walk in D.C. Photo by Shayla Brown/Office of University Branding

“I go into rural communities and talk with them about what they think their challenges are for food, energy, water, and climate, and how to develop solutions that emerge from within the community rather than outside the community,” said Sklarew, who connects her research with environmental justice. “The walk on Oxon Run and Watts Branch is a great example of something like that.”

Topics

Sustainability

Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

civil engineering; stormwater infrastructure; climate variability

Fuse at Mason Square

Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE)

Virginia Climate Center

Mason Exhibitions

Research

College of Engineering and Computing

Removing invasive plants protects the ecosystem at the Potomac Science Center and beyond

lclarkg — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:12:18 +0000

Removing invasive plants protects the ecosystem at the Potomac Science Center and beyond lclarkg Thu, 06/29/2023 - 10:12

In This Story

Cynthia Smith

R. Christian Jones

T. Reid Nelson

When you hear the word “mimosa,” what first comes to mind? If you think about a bubbly beverage enjoyed at brunch, you’re not wrong—but if you think of a flowering tree that is considered invasive to the Northern Virginia ecosystem? You’re also not wrong.

Chris Jones, professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and director of PEREC, trims down the branches of an invasive mimosa tree. Photo by Cindy Smith/PEREC

911��’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC) recently hosted an invasive species removal event where students, faculty, staff, and community members came together to remove harmful, invasive plants around the Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, Virginia.

The mimosa trees were one of the main species removed. The delicate, sweet-smelling blossoms make the mimosa an attractive ornamental tree—the main reason these plants were transported to North America. Originally native to central China, Japan, and South Korea, the mimosa is a vigorous grower and produces a high number of seeds, making it an ecological threat to native species.

“Invasive plants are non-native or introduced to an ecosystem and can cause environmental or economic harm,” said Cindy Smith, PhD Environmental Science and Public Policy ’05, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and K-12 education and outreach director for PEREC. “They can grow faster than native species, often shading out natives, spread quickly, and may not be a great food source for native birds and insects.”

The term “invasive” does not only apply to plants, trees, and shrubs. “We also have invasive insects, worms, pigs, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish in Virginia,” said Smith.

Reid Nelson, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and fisheries ecologist with PEREC, holds a snakehead he caught off the Potomac Science Center dock. Invasive in the United States, this voracious fish can easily out-compete native and established predators. Photo by Elizabeth Greenheck

A variety of conditions allow invasive species to thrive.

“When the Potomac Science Center first opened in 2018, we noticed a couple of beavers munching the trees around the retention pond perimeter,” said Smith. “The beavers mowed down many of the native oak, sycamore, and maple trees, creating a sunny opening for fast-growing invasives to take off and thrive.”

Photo by Adrian Hagarty/PEREC

Callery pear trees and Japanese honeysuckle, along with the mimosas, were crowding and taking over the pond perimeter. Japanese honeysuckle vine overtakes shrubs and can choke trees. Callery pear trees spread profusely in areas that do not benefit from their presence—along shorelines, in open fields, farmland, and roadside ditches.

Removing invasive species allows native plants to thrive, including those that are part of the Mason Arboretum. Native vegetation also supports native birds and insects. PEREC is cataloging the native plants around the Potomac Science Center so that visitors who walk along the trail can learn about what is growing at the site.

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Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger visits Potomac Science Center

ckearney — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:41:28 +0000

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger visits Potomac Science Center ckearney Mon, 04/17/2023 - 15:41

From left, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Mason faculty members Cindy Smith and Chris Jones enjoy the view of Belmont Bay at Mason’s Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, Virginia. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

On Wednesday, April 12, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger visited 911��’s Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, which is now part of the congresswoman’s district. Mason President Gregory Washington met with the congresswoman to introduce her to the research and education programs at the Potomac Science Center and share the contributions the center is making to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

She also met with faculty to hear about Potomac River restoration; sustainability practices; K-12 programs; tidal Potomac water quality; aquatic vegetation and aquatic resource management; fisheries ecology; non-native species; coastal, riverine, and urban flooding; dynamics and hydrodynamics of manned and unmanned vessels; and Mason’s innovative technologies in the area of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, smart grid, autonomous systems, and advanced communications.

Located along Belmont Bay near the mouth of the Occoquan River, this 50,000 square-foot LEED Silver research facility houses laboratories for teaching and research, lecture rooms, event space, outdoor trails, and a library/resource center. The 250-square-foot Living Wall faces the bay is covered in plantings and supported by harvested rainwater and building condensate.

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After historic sewage spill, 911���� researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant

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After historic sewage spill, 911�� researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant