Becca Brooke is pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Policy. She is enrolled in the dual-degree program administered by the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise and plans to graduate in 2010 with an M.S. from SNRE and an M.B.A. from the Ross School of Business. Originally from Hallowell, Maine, Becca earned undergraduate degrees in biology and environmental studies from Oberlin College.

Name:  Becca Brooke
Age: 27
Hometown: Hallowell, Maine
SNRE degree sought: M.S. and M.B.A.
Projected semester/year of graduation: 2010
Undergraduate degree: Oberlin College; B.A. ('04), double major: biology and environmental studies

Why did you pick this particular field of study? Why were you drawn to this field?
I choose SNRE's Environmental Policy track because of the excellent faculty and strong network of alumni working in the environmental policy arena. Before graduate school, I spent several years in Washington D.C., working on a campaign for new and greater funding for wildlife conservation and related recreation and education. I enjoyed the work immensely but found that I needed a graduate degree to progress in my career. Graduate school was an excellent decision.  The coursework and master's project have both helped deepen my knowledge of environmental policy and provided me with a new set of skills ranging from economic analysis to negotiation tactics. I know that I when I return to work, I will be better off for my time spent at SNRE.

What do you like best so far about your program?
What I like best about SNRE is the passion that people have for their work and the experience that they bring with them to the classroom. The interdisciplinary nature of the program attracts a broad array of professionals, from biologists and landscape architects to economists, community organizers and business leaders. The result is a student body that is not only passionate about changing the world but actively working toward doing so.

Describe your research interests and experiences at SNRE.
My six-person master's project team is examining how market forces and government regulation are fueling the corn ethanol industry, and how increased production is changing land-use and impacting wildlife habitat. Our deliverables are GIS maps, species-specific fact sheets and a white paper for decision makers that our client, the National Wildlife Federation, can use in discussions with members of Congress. The master's project has been a great opportunity to bring together the skills sets of multiple disciplines to bear on a real world problem.

This summer I worked for the National Park Service on a Commercial Services strategy for the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. My job involved facilitation of management team meetings, acting as a liaison to local community leaders and the public, and completing several feasibility studies. During the internship, I was struck by how often I applied skills and concepts from my courses at SNRE.

What will you do after graduation?
After completing my master's degree, I hope to find a position with a nonprofit organization or with a decision-maker such as a member of Congress or a governor, helping to shape environmental policies affecting wildlife and natural areas. As a long-term career goal, I am interested in directing a community based nonprofit that works with large-scale private landowners on wildlife conservation and ecosystem management on private property.

Recognizing that most habitat conservation must happen on private land, programs that help landowners identify and protect priority habitat will be a great asset to wildlife conservation efforts. The management aspects associated with running a nonprofit led me to apply to the Ross School of Business while in my first year at SNRE, and I am now a dual-degree student in the Erb program.

What advice do you have for incoming SNRE students?
My advice to incoming students is to think carefully about which faculty you would like to work with while at SNRE and to make the effort to reach out to them when you get onto campus.

How do you relax when not studying?
When I'm not studying, I like to get outside. Ann Arbor has some great outdoor spaces and it's easy to find a group of people to go running, biking, hiking or camping. I'm also a big fan of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, which attracts dozens of local farmers with fresh fruit and veggies.