1. Environmental Science
October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
May’s Move-Out Madness
What would Jesus recycle?
This project’s vision was to bring creation care awareness to
the Biola community by reducing the colossal amount of
recyclable and still-usable materials being taken to landfills.
This first try was a success after three HUGE Salvation
Army trailers were completely jam-packed with donated
items. Additionally, large quantities of cardboard,
aluminum, paper, and various plastics destined for the
dump were salvaged from dumpsters and redirected to
Biola’s recycling center. The Biola Maintenance and
Facilities crew were quite helpful, as were the many green-
shirted student volunteers that staffed the trailers and
recycle bins. Look for more Move Out Madness next May.
“I intercepted a student about to put an unopened ream of
paper into a dumpster.” —McReynolds
 May’s Move-Out
Madness
 Creek Project Update
 Alumni News
Au Sable 2015
 CA Drought Update
 Who’s New?
 Solar Update
Creek Project Update
In December 2014 we had a planting
party at the creek and most of our
Toyon, Blue Elderberry, White Sage,
Black Sage, Lemonade Berry, and
California Buckwheat plants are
surviving.
Dutifully watered by ES major Ryan
Phaneuf, these native, riparian plants
will hopefully continue to thrive and
provide habitat for birds and other
creatures for many years.
The creek area needs a thorough
trash pick up and a Creek Clean Up
Day will occur soon. If interested,
watch for the dates!
Three Salvation Army donation trailers
were stuffed floor to ceiling with donated
items. Some still had donated items piled
outside it after they were filled!
Dumpsters were full of unwanted
“stuff” —most of it could still be
reused, recycled, or donated.
Inside This Issue
A student volunteer and student worker sort
recyclables by the Organic Garden.

2. Page 2 Environmental Science October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
Alumni Updates
Where are they now?
Steven Orozco, Class of May 2015
Current Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Work: Naturalist at Mission Springs Outdoor Education
How are things at Mission Springs?
“In short: I LOVE IT!! As I am adjusting to Mission Springs & getting to
know the people here, I am beginning to love it more & more. The
other naturalists are all very kind & fun. I have been able to learn a lot
about teaching tips & tricks from them. As for myself, I feel a constant
reassurance that this is where I am supposed to be at this point in my
life. I love the property & being able to explore it. Each week a
chaperone will tell me that I must have been doing this for years, but
are surprised when I tell them it's only my first month. I am able to learn about the way I interact with & care for
others through my students, & also see how my enthusiasm for what I teach conveys a powerful reaction. I am
also surprised about the care that I am able to have for students that I know for only 5 days. I am able to get a
glimpse into their lives & care for them the way that Jesus cares for me, even if I'm not able to use such
language. I am feeling more & more comfortable in the lessons I teach & am able to have a lot of fun with it.
This is truly a wonderful place to call "work".”
“It IS possible to get a job doing what you studied after you
graduate!!” — Steven Orozco
Lindsey (Norton) Shoemaker, Class of May 2014
Current Location: Florida
Work: Manatee Care Specialist at the South Florida Museum
After graduating and getting married two summers ago,
Lindsey was fortunate enough to get hired at her current job
after having only completed one internship (she reports that
usually they only hire people that have had 2 or 3). The
museum is a second stage rehabilitation center where
manatees are cared for that are not quite ready to be
released. One of the manatees she cares for, “Snooty,” is the
oldest on record—67 years old! Everyday she gets to educate
the public about environmental concerns connected with
manatees. While greatly enjoying her job, she is still looking
forward to pursuing her dream career with dolphins one day.

3. Page 3 Environmental Science October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
Krystal House, Class of May 2012
Current Location: Keene, New Hampshire
Work: Masters student in Conservation Biology and
Library Assistant at Antioch University New England
Kalli Kilmer, Class of May 2014
Current Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Work: Naturalist at Mission Springs Outdoor Education
Kalli has worked at Mission Springs since graduating from Biola and
completing her research on invertebrates of the Boardman River at
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Michigan. This past
summer, she had the amazing chance to be a Reef Ecology lecturer
at a marine research site for high schoolers in Buton, Indonesia. The
lecture material was already written for her, so all she had to do was
deliver it! Better yet, she was able to take students on two ocean
dives per day to show them everything that they were learning in the
classroom. The institute paid for her room and board, and even gave
her a small travel stipend. What a great deal! After this year at Mission
Springs, Kalli plans on pursuing her masters degree in Environmental
Science with an emphasis in Natural Resources.
This past summer, Krystal participated in a two
and one half month study of the climatic niches
of epiphytes in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
What did you do while you were there?
“I lived with the three other members of my team
on a dairy farm, but I spent most of my time in the
lab at the Monteverde Cloud Forest doing
pressure-volume curves. I measured the turgor loss
point of epiphytes using a pressure chamber &
used software that generated the PV curves &
gave measurements needed for data analysis. I
did so many of these curves that I thought I was
going to go crazy! I also studied other
physiological characteristics like leaf dry matter
content. I did learn how to climb trees, but I did
not do much climbing and collecting because
unfortunately it made me very motion sick. We
were working with about 18 different species of
epiphytic ferns, with which I am very familiar with
now! I also took a week-long plant taxonomy
course with my teammates and we learned a
lot.”
How was Costa Rica overall?
“The summer was really amazing. The Mon-
teverde Cloud Forest is so beautiful and I
saw so many plants, insects, and animals
that I had never seen before. We also spent
a few days in San Jose at the two herbaria
there and we ended the summer at a
beach in Tamarindo. My favorite part of the
summer was actually getting to live and
spend so much time with the three other
girls on the team. It was very hard to leave
them when the end of July came around
and I miss them and Costa Rica already!”

4. Page 4 Environmental Science October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
This past June and July, ES seniors Jonathan (Jono) Naritoku and Geoff Bishop were able to experience the
extraordinary educational escapade that is unique to Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies. From the
Environmental Chemistry class at the Michigan campus and the classes of Ecological Agriculture and Marine
Mammals at the Washington campus, Jono and Geoff learned much in and out of the classroom. Ask either
of them about their adventures, and they would be overjoyed to chat with you!
What was your most favorite aspect of Au Sable?
“That we were able to have Biblical integration with science, as
well as the incredible hearts of the professors and staff. They
made such an incredible integrative experience possible.”
What are some of the most memorable or outrageous
adventures on which you embarked?
“I helped with the cleanup after we had a terrible storm, during
which we lost power for 3 days and a huge a amount of forest
debris was scattered everywhere. Also, there was a students vs.
faculty/staff softball game at the end of the session. Fred Van
Dyke, the Director, played with us and was much more
competitive than I thought he would be.”
What did you learn about God & His creation?
“There is a hope that we can look forward to in spite of the
destruction caused by our ignorance of how the world works
and our subsequent actions.”
What advice would you give to people thinking about taking an
Au Sable course?
“Au Sable has courses that you can’t take anywhere else and
helps you get up to 16 units in one summer. They also work with
you to make it affordable, so you should think more about what
classes to take instead of the cost.”
Any last thoughts about Au Sable?
“If you lived in a city/suburb for most
of your life, Au Sable is a good place
to reorient yourself closer to nature
so that you may recognize the
beauty of God’s creation. You are
able to see and experience the very
grace of God through all He has
made, and I think that participating
and learning at Au Sable is
important for the career of an
Environmental Science major. Also,
beware of mosquitos. Otherwise
everything was amazing.“
Au Sable Adventuring — Summer 2015
Korstad
CarrCarr
The above are two of the many lakes that students
visited during Limnology [the study of lakes], taught by
Dr. John Korstad of ORU. Below is Biola student Jono in
integrative sessions on the shores of Lake Michigan (left),
and walking on a forest trail with other students (right).
Great Lakes Campus: Jono

5. Page 5 Environmental Science October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
Pacific Rim Campus: Geoff
Gari-
Hik
Lime Kiln Orca Watching, Bishop
Where and When are Au Sable programs?
January - Tamil Nadu, Southern India
Summer - Mancelona, Michigan
Summer - Vara Blanca, Costa Rica
Summer - Whidbey Island, near Seattle
What was your most favorite aspect of Au Sable?
“Being outside in Gods creation with close friends who share the same
interests and life passions as you.”
What did you see that was memorable?
“I got to see how orcas are affected by activities happening in high alpine
environments. Overall, I saw how unique God’s creation really is. I was able
to see myself and new friends draw closer to God through His creation in
ways I never thought were possible.”
What are some of the most memorable or outrageous adventures on which
you embarked?
“Every weekend my new friends (that I made there) and I went on crazy
adventures to national parks. One weekend we adventured into Vancouver
at midnight. We became lost and money was tight since our debit cards
didn’t work. We asked locals for help and made it to our trail head. Too late
to begin our ascent, four of us slept in the back of my car. The next morning
we hiked 9km to reach a glacier-fed lake that was the most beautiful piece
of God's creation that I have ever seen. At 40 degrees & pouring rain, we all
huddled into a 2 person backpacking tent to stay warm. During the week we
would take the ferry to Seattle, spend the day having fun in the city and with
each other, and then forget to take the ferry back on time so we would
have to sleep in my car. We backpacked up to Mt. St. Helens right before
sunset, then continued hiking in the dark and sleeping on the mountainside.”
What did you learn about God & His creation?
“I learned that God is most visible through His creation. In the midst of hiking
through forests and dangerous volcanoes, I felt more peace and joy than I
ever have in my entire life. I learned that creation is where God wants us to
be and what God wants us to protect so that we can continue to show
others how beautiful He is.”
Any last thoughts about Au Sable?
“I think Au Sable is one of the most unique places on earth. It provides field
experience in courses led by faithful Christians. It is a place where you get to
experience God through your studies. It is a place to connect with God,
fellow believers, and yourself. I have made my closest friends at Au Sable. It
has changed my life forever, and is a place that will always be special to
me.”

6. Page 6 Environmental Science October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
Where are you from?
- Nairobi, Kenya
Why did you choose Environmental Science?
- I grew up with wildlife all around me, so naturally I
grew more interested in nature & eventually the
major itself.
What will you do with your degree?
- I am still unsure, but I am currently leaning towards
field research.
Welcome, Ethan!!!
Who’s New?California
Drought Update
What happened
this summer?
Quick Facts
 Despite the heat, California
water use was reduced by
31.3%
 Water reduction exceeded the
state’s goals by 25% in July
 The amount of water saved this
past July was 74.6 billion
gallons , which is 4 times the
amount of water saved from
last July 2014
July’s Top Performers
Even with significant
commercial & industrial use,
these water-savers managed
to make a sizeable dent in the
amount of water that they use:
 Golden State Water Company
Simi Valley (reduced usage by
40%)
 City of Santa Rosa (reduced
usage by 43.8%)
 City of West Sacramento
(reduced usage by 34%)
 City of Santa Cruz (reduced
usage by 31.5%)
Ethan Park Year: Freshman

7. Newsletter Editors:
Glorianna “Glori” Chavez & Dr. Mark McReynolds
Find us on Facebook by
searching “Biola University
Environmental Science” to get
the latest news and updates!
Environmental Science
Contact Information
Solar Update: 7,447 lbs. Less CO2 So Far
Page 7 Environmental Science October 2015 Volume 4, Issue 1
Dr. Mark McReynolds
13800 Biola Ave.
La Mirada, CA 90639
Phone: 562-903-6000
E-mail: mark.mcreynolds@biola.edu
Get more information at:
http://undergrad.biola.edu/academics/
majors/environmental-science/
The Bardwell Science Building
has 2.1kW of solar panels on its
roof. In November 2013, Bard-
well became the first building to
use solar power at Biola Univer-
sity. Twelve panels transform
solar rays into DC electricity
and an inverter changes that to
standard 120 volt AC electricity
which is accessed via outlets in
offices 201-205.
From Feb. 2015 through Sept.
2015, an averaged 2163.11 kW-
hours were produced, which is
approximately 3,288 lbs. of CO2
avoided according to an Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency
calculator.
On sunny days, more electricity
is generated than used, so ex-
cess goes to the building’s elec-
trical grid, providing power for
classrooms and other offices. A
real-time display shows how the
system works and how much
power is generated.
The solar panels also charge a
48 volt, 180 amp-hour battery
pack used for backup power
and as an uninterrupted power
supply for CPE’s supercomput-
er. Battery wear due to cyclical
discharge can be problematic,
so we chose to use regular
electrical grid power at night.
Purchase and installation funds
came from Biola University in
support of the Environmental
Science major and through the
Biology Department. Dr. John
Bloom, Chair of the Chemistry,
Physics and Engineering De-
partment, oversaw the installa-
tion after having learned much
from his own photo-voltaic solar
energy system at home.
The Missionof the environmental
science major is to nurture passionate lead-
ers within the evangelical community that
will impact the world for Christ, working to
restore all of God’s creation, by combining
scientific and theological knowledge with
practical field, lab, and teaching skills to
create just and sustainable solutions for en-
vironmental problems.