For as long as she can remember, Elizabeth Renner of Crooks, S.D., has been fascinated by the critters that inhabit aquatic areas. In fact, the West Central FFA member fondly recalls exploring the fields and streams in her area and examining all of the different insects and organisms.
Renner’s first opportunity to do scientific research on aquatic organisms came through her involvement in an FFA Agriscience Fair during her freshman year. Her scientific explorations continued through high school and even included an internship with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Following her freshman year in college, she conducted research with a professor on historic plant communities to see how ecosystems changed following the arrival of European settlers. During the summer of her sophomore year, she conducted stream surveys at bridge and box culvert construction sites for the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
She followed this experience by working in a stream ecology laboratory at an Alaskan nonprofit dedicated to protecting salmon streams within the Cook Inlet watershed. Today, the Augustana University senior plans to study how climate change influences stream organisms.
She plans to earn a doctorate in aquatic ecology and conduct research on aquatic ecosystems as an environmental consultant to federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency. She also feels called to educate the general public about the importance of aquatic organisms and wetlands for the health of communities. Renner is the daughter of Tim and Karin Renner. She is a member of the West Central FFA Chapter, led by advisor Linda Petersen.
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