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Tara Muenz

500 500 Stroud Water Research Center

Assistant Director of Education and Leaf Pack Network® Administrator

Education Department

Contact

tmuenz@stroudcenter.org
tel. 610-268-2153, ext. 1301
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311
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Interests and Expertise

Trained as an aquatic scientist, Tara Muenz’s interests and experiences spread wide, with a passion for all life on earth including science communication, conservation education, community science, streamside forests, landscape design, nature therapy, and creating meaningful experiences (fostering awareness, appreciation, and action) that bring people closer in a reverent relationship with the planet. She has devoted decades to traveling worldwide, assisting individuals and communities in connecting, sustaining, and understanding the planet’s resources on the physical and soul levels. Muenz practices a “less is best” way of life, often seeking the beautiful stillness of the natural world as her greatest source of joy.

Education

  • M.S., conservation ecology and sustainable development, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
  • B.A., zoology, Miami University of Ohio, Oxford, Ohio.

Professional Experience

  • Assistant director of education, Stroud Water Research Center, 2015–present.
  • Leaf Pack Network administrator, 2014–present.
  • Education program manager, Stroud Water Research Center, 2014–2015.
  • State coordinator, Georgia Adopt-a-Stream, Atlanta, Georgia, 2009–2014.
  • Lead research technician, Aquatic Biology Laboratory, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Newton, Georgia, 2004–2009.
  • Graduate research assistant, University of Georgia/Jones Ecological Research Center, Athens, Georgia, 2000–2004.

Publications

A digital mayfly swarm is emerging

Ensign, S., D. Arscott, S. Hicks, A. Aufdenkampe, T. Muenz, J. Jackson, and D. Bressler. 2019. Eos, 100.

Aquatic macroinvertebrate identification trainings for volunteers: results of a national materials and practices inventory survey

Louw, M., T. Muenz, J. Roberts, M. Wilson, and S. Kerlin. 2018. Technical report published through the Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science. Pittsburgh, PA USA. (CMU-HCII-18-104).

Spider fauna of three geographically isolated wetland types in southwestern Georgia

W. Tietjen, S. Becker, T.K. Muenz, S.W. Golladay. 2016. Southeastern Naturalist.

Alabama Water Watch and Georgia Adopt-A-Stream partner with the U.S. Forest Service to monitor and protect watersheds in the Escambia Experimental Forest

Dyson, D.S., T.K. Muenz, and E. Reutebuch. 2014. Alabama’s Treasured Forest Magazine, Alabama Forestry Commission.

Diet and abundance of the southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) in an agricultural area, southwest Georgia

Muenz, T.K., S.W. Golladay, L.L. Smith, and G.Vellidis. 2008. Southeastern Naturalist. 7(4):691–704.
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