Charlotte has been lauded as an outdoor-friendly city where over 900,000 people have access to parkland on more than 22,500 acres across Mecklenburg County. Come learn from Fushcia-Ann Hoover, Ph.D., about the history of our local, state and national parks, the Congressional Acts that protect them (and their limitations), and the statute that created the National Park Service. Find out, too, what it means to have public personnel steward the protection and maintenance of public lands. With panelists Jake Armour, M.A. and federal museum curator Phil Varela, M.A.  (who will join via Zoom). ┃chess.charlotte.edu

• September 16, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.; Popp Martin Student Union, Room 200; Register, Join the mailing list!

• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a federal observance, facilitated by the College.  

Fushcia-Ann Hoover, Ph.D., is an interdisciplinary researcher specializing in social-ecological urban systems. She employs a range of approaches and perspectives from the fields of planning, engineering, social and environmental sciences. Hoover is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences. Learn More at fushciahoover.com.

Jake Armour, M.A. is a senior lecturer in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences who has a strong interest in experiential education and public lands. He also cares deeply about public water quality. Read his professional page here.

Phil Varela, M.A. is the Museum Curator at Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas where he oversees the care, research, and interpretation of the park’s museum collections. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology (emphasis in paleontology) and a master’s degree in Museum Studies. During his career with the National Park Service, Phil has conducted paleontological field surveys in several parks in the western United States and has specialized in fossil preparation for education and research. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring areas around the Rio Grande and spending time with his two cats.