Head of Education
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Millbrook, New York, United States
Alan Berkowitz fell in love with trees as a child along the Wissahickon Creek in the wilds of Philadelphia, and with teaching about the environment as a naturalist at the Grand Canyon. He received his BA in environmental studies from Antioch College in 1976 and a Ph.D. in plant ecology from Cornell University in 1986. As Head of Education at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies since 1985 he brings cutting edge science to ecology education programs for children, college students, teachers and adults. Emphasizing place- and inquiry-based learning, his work has championed teaching and learning about schoolyards, neighborhoods, cities, streams, the Hudson River and forests as ecosystems. Dr. Berkowitz directed the Cary Institute’s REU program for 34 years, the UWIN Undergraduate Research Program (URP) from 2016-2020 and is currently co-directing the Critical Zone Collaborative Network REU program. Dr. Berkowitz was the first Vice President for Education and Human Resources of the Ecological Society of America (ESA, 1995-2000), and was co-founder of ESA’s Presidential Award-winning SEEDS program.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM PDT