One of the most valuable experiences of any graduate education is the opportunity to participate in professional conferences and workshops. These experiences help students maintain professional relationships with colleagues, learn about the latest research in their field, and establish important connections leading to long-term career opportunities. Conferences also encourage students to share ideas and collaborate with others in their field as a means to promote innovative research. For students in the Conservation Biology (CB) Graduate Program, these activities form the basis of a well-rounded academic year. Over 105 presentations were given by CB students last year at conferences around the world, including the annual conferences of the Society for Conservation Biology, the American Fisheries Society, and The Wildlife Society.
Being a graduate student is far from inexpensive. Tuition and enrollment fees, research and field expenses, and the costs of daily living are but a few of the financial obligations students are responsible for in a given semester. Without money to spare, students are less likely to pursue costly academic endeavors, such as attending professional conferences or workshops. Although these activities are not required to obtain a degree, professional and academic development will suffer without these opportunities. Once upon a time, CB students could alleviate some of their financial stress by requesting funds from a pool of money maintained by the program for the explicit purpose of getting them to conferences. Such amenities of a more economically stable time are no more, particularly in light of substantial budget cuts to higher education.
Last year students in the CB program made a bold move to ensure their graduate experience would not be compromised by harsh economic realities. In June of 2011, CB students organized an ambitious fundraiser to replenish the student travel funds. Students were able to accumulate over $5000 in donations by biking across Minnesota in three days (read some of last year’s highlights). Last year’s strong record of conference attendance by CB students is a testament to the success of this fundraising campaign.
The success of last year’s bike relay provided students with ample motivation to tackle the challenge a second time around. Beginning in January, CB students started planning the 2nd annual Bike Relay Across Minnesota to raise travel funds for the 2012-13 academic year. The culmination of five months of fundraising came to a head when students departed for the western border of Minnesota on May 31st to begin their bicycle journey across the state. The plan was to cycle from Fargo, ND to the shores of Lake Superior near Silver Bay in an epic ride across northern Minnesota. Three and a half days later, the group of intrepid riders cycled 413 miles and gathered over $6500 in donations, surpassing last year’s donations by $1500. With these generous donations, CB students have the comfort of knowing that their graduate experience will not be compromised by a lack of financial support.
Here are some of the highlights from the ride:
The relay route this year covered over 400 miles across northern Minnesota from Fargo to the shores of Lake Superior.
Pre-departure photo in St. Paul prior to leaving for Fargo on May 31st. The riders this year included CB students Marcus Beck, Hevin Heist, Jacob Jungers, and Kate Wyman, in addition to pedal support from CB friends Jen Keville and Ari Waldstein. The relay mascot and ‘baton’, Goldy, is pictured front and left of center.
Day 1:
The riders departed the morning of Friday June 1st after a relaxing night at Buffalo River State Park and a hearty pizza dinner in Fargo the night before. The ride began in prairie/agricultural landscape but quickly turned to deciduous forest after 25 miles. By the end of day one, the riders had travelled 106 miles to their destination at Itasca State Park.
Riders Marcus Beck and Jacob Jungers led the departure from the western border of Minnesota at the Red River on the morning of Friday June 1st.
Ten miles into the first leg and going strong.
Kevin Heist rounding off the ride for day one upon arrival at Itasca State Park.
No visit to Itasca State Park is complete without seeing the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi river.
Day 2:
After a rather cozy stay at a rental cabin in Itasca State Park, the riders departed on Saturday morning for the second leg of the journey. Saturday marked the longest day of riding totaling 132 miles of cycling. The group was rewarded with a beautiful campsite at Schoolcraft State Park and a hearty chili dinner courtesy of Jacob Jungers.
Kate Wyman and Jen Keville lead the Saturday morning departure from the cabin at Itasca State Park.
A slight detour on Saturday took the riders on gravel for a few miles.
The dinner table at Schoolcraft State Park was situated at the confluence of the Vermillion and Mississippi rivers.
Day 3:
Day three took the riders from the finish point the evening prior to Ely, Minnesota later that afternoon. The third leg of the journey was by far the most scenic as riders cycled 100 miles through Superior National Forest on their way to Ely. Riders refueled with ice cream before heading to Bear Head State Park for the evening.
The view from the campsite at Schoolcraft State Park on Sunday morning.
Happy riders refuel with ice cream in Ely on the end of day three.
Day 4:
The final leg of the journey covered 75 miles from Ely to Silver Bay on the shores of Lake Superior. An unexpected detour on state road 1 took the riders 15 miles on gravel. Despite the detour, the riders completed the final leg by lunchtime. The group rewarded themselves with pizza lunch in Duluth before heading back to the cities.
Monday morning departure from Ely, MN on the final leg of the journey.
Kevin Heist and Goldy are ready to conquer some gravel on the Surly LHT
The riders begin the final downhill stretch to the shores of Lake Superior.
Exhausted but alive, the riders completed the relay travelling 413 miles in three and a half days.
The real success of the relay is reflected by the generous donations of CB faculty, alumni, friends, and family. A hearty thank you on behalf of all CB students goes out to the donors that have made valuable contributions towards our professional development. We also like to thank Peace Coffee and Summit Brewing Company for their donations in support of our efforts.
-relay planning team
CBIO Bike Relay 2012 Bird List
* = heard but not seen
American Bittern*
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American White Pelican
Bald Eagle
Baltimore Oriole
Barn Swallow
Barred Owl*
Belted Kingfisher
Black-and-white Warbler
Black-billed Magpie
Blackburnian Warbler
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-throated Green Warbler*
Blue Jay
Blue-winged Teal
Bobolink
Brown Thrasher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Canada Goose
Cedar Waxwing
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Common Grackle
Common Loon*
Common Nighthawk*
Common Raven
Common Yellowthroat
Double-crested Cormorant
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Grasshopper Sparrow*
Gray Catbird
Great Blue Heron
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Egret
Hermit Thrush*
Herring Gull
House Sparrow
Killdeer
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Northern Harrier
Ovenbird*
Peregrine Falcon
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-eyed Vireo*
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-necked Duck
Rock Pigeon
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruffed Grouse
Sandhill Crane
Song Sparrow
Sora*
Tennessee Warbler*
Tree Swallow
Trumpeter Swan
Turkey Vulture
Veery*
Western Meadowlark
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
Wood Thrush*
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-headed Blackbird
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