About the TCC
The Tyson Conservation Corps (TCC) is a student group dedicated to conservation and ecological restoration. The TCC was established in late 2018 under the leadership of Tyson Staff Scientist Solny Adalsteinsson and Tyson Natural Resources Coordinator Elizabeth Biro.
Students in TCC get hands-on training and experience in habitat restoration and long-term research and monitoring techniques through work on a variety of projects. The group is led by student coordinators based at the Office of Sustainability who work as liaisons between student volunteers and Tyson staff ecologists.
TCC tries to plan events that meet everyone’s availability, including at Tyson, at conservation organizations off-campus, on-campus, and even virtually. Attendance is not required for all events. Anyone is welcome to show up to whichever activities fit their schedule.
We look forward to getting to know new students and sharing our passion for ecology and conservation. We hope you will join us!
Goals
Conserve the ecological integrity of Tyson Research Center
Broaden the community of people who value Tyson and its resources
Provide students with restoration and applied conservation experience
Train student leaders and build capacity for local conservation initiatives
Strengthen ties among Tyson, WashU Danforth Campus, area institutions, and greater STL region
Learn more about TCC and get to know some of our members!
LARGE MAMMAL MONITORING
We use trail cameras at various times of the year to monitor our large mammal populations. Students help in each stage of the process, from camera deployment to image processing and analysis.
Invasive Species management
Staff and students work together to remove invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera mackii), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and other nuisance species throughout Tyson.
Bat monitoring
Acoustic monitors are set up year round at the Tyson caves. Students help identify bat species using acoustic software and work with scientists to learn monitoring techniques.
Prescribed Burns
A goal for the TCC is to provide students with training and on-the-ground experience in using prescribed fire as a restoration tool for habitat improvement at Tyson.
flora and fauna inventory and monitoring
Students work with staff and researchers to build species lists and track changes year to year. This data can inform incoming researchers and also contribute long-term datasets to larger networks.
Local Conservation Projects
TCC embarks on field trips to volunteer and learn about local conservation projects, including with Shaw Nature Reserve, Park-Like, and the Endangered Wolf Center.
Meet our Student Coordinators!
Julianne Aronson
I am a senior studying environmental engineering and studio art with a professional interest in addressing incompatibilities between biodiversity preservation and sustainable technology development. I have experience in individual, community, and international scale conservation projects. Most recently, I have conducted quantitative research on leading events with minimal environmental impact and have developed a transport emission board game for the primary school curriculum in Auckland, New Zealand. Through my role at Tyson Conservation Corps, I enjoy sharing my love for great outdoors and encouraging people to engage with conservation efforts.
Cameryn Berryhill
I am a sophomore student planning to major in Environmental Analysis with a minor in Writing. I am working as a Student Co-Coordinator for TCC and am excited to get involved in sustainability at WashU! I enjoy working with others who are passionate about conservation, love native plants, and am always looking for new ways to get outdoors. My interests outside of work include gardening, birding, camping, and writing.
TCC Conservation Stewards
Conservation Stewards are members of TCC that have shown an exceptional commitment to their surrounding environment by investing in ecology education, actively participating in conservation efforts, and providing service to the Earth.
Eric Yin
Maxine Roeder
Emma Claisse
Jenny Mann
Emma Diaz
Layla Santiago
Juliet Ainsley
Melissa Parkinson
Rubin Steele
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t have a car. How do I make it to events?
We will always provide transportation! Our carpool typically consists of Tyson-owned vehicles as well as vehicles of TCC members, but we always do our best to provide transportation for everyone.
How much of a commitment is this club?
The commitment level is essentially whatever you want to make it. We don’t require attendance to everything and our events never require previous experience. Everyone is free to show up to any event!
Who can be a member?
Everyone! Our members consist of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and community members.
I don’t know anything about nature, can I still join TCC?
Yes! Our events never require prior knowledge or experience, and in fact, most of them are educational! TCC is a great way to learn about applied ecology and restoration.
Is Tyson owned by/associated with the chicken company?
Nope. According to legend, Tyson is the surname of the family who settled the valley in which Tyson resides today.
