Elaine Dolcini Bechler Biography

It was during my high school years that I was suddenly moved by environmental
sciences. At that time I knew that my career was going to include the out of doors.
I had grown up on a large ranch in the middle of west Marin County in California.
This ranch was surrounded by large ranches and had a 3 mile driveway that
connected it to the nearest county road. I realized that I was connected to the
natural world and sought to become educated in the eld.
I traveled to the !niversity of California at "anta #arbara to study terrestrial and
marine sciences. I was employed by the university in the marine research lab. The
professor$ %r. Adrian &enner$ was comparing populations that were near and far
from nuclear power plants. &e collected sand crabs during low tide$ measured their
population size$ weight$ body size$ gender$ and clutch size. It was there I learned
the e'citement of being a part of a research team.
After nishing my degree in environmental biology$ I was employed as an outdoor
science tutor for young children and found that teaching interested me as well. I
pursued my teaching credential at !C"# and landed a (ob in "onoma County with
the "anta )osa City "chool %istrict. I became involved with programs in the
community that were designed to bring students into the natural world. I brought
my students to "onoma County *pen "pace locations with the +andpaths program.
I took a workshop in freshwater macroinvertebrate monitoring methods and
participated ,and continue to participate- in assessing streams utilizing a program
sponsored the City of "anta )osa.
In ./00 I was chosen to participle in a 1*AA funded Teacher At "ea program. I took
part in a 23day monitoring cruise in the Cordell #ank and Islandes de la 4arallones
Marine "anctuaries. That fantastic e'perience furthered my understanding of
marine monitoring methods.
4or the last 5 years I participated in the CAM6*" program through !C %avis and the
#odega Marine )esearch +ab. Through this program$ I worked with !C %avis
graduate students to mentor my students to develop testable research 7uestions
and sound e'periments in the eld of marine$ fresh water and terrestrial ecology. I
saw my students connecting with the real world in a vital way. Their positive
e'periences will be amplied as they enter the world as researchers and
appreciators of the natural world. I can say that the outcome is fullling indeed. I
have nally come full circle.
I am presently developing curriculum to continue to connect my students and
others with the natural world. I will be participating in the +IM86T" program which
involves students in monitoring intertidal and sandy beach habitats. I am also
investigating the possibility of bringing environmental science classes onto the
campus.