The Owensboro Community and Technical College Foundation, Inc. was recently awarded a grant from Cargill in support of the MOTUS Wildlife Tracking Student Engagement Project. This opportunity will allow a MOTUS wildlife tracking tower to be placed on the OCTC main campus and create opportunities for students to study animal movement and develop a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of ecology, science, and agricultural landscapes.
OCTC is the first community college in Kentucky that will have a tower, and it is the only tower located in the greater Owensboro region.
Dr. Micah Perkins, an OCTC Biology Professor, is the project director and is excited about the benefits this will have for our community.
“MOTUS is a global research network that uses real-time radio telemetry to track migratory animals while also facilitating ecological research and conservation,” Perkins said. “OCTC students will have the opportunity to be part of global conservation efforts involving more than 1,200 MOTUS stations in 31 countries.”
Data from the MOTUS system helps understand conservation planning, environmental assessment, and ecology development. This project can impact the local agricultural industry by identifying potential bat and insect ecology to promote natural pest management and understanding the importance of conservation science to mitigate the impacts on agriculture and wildlife.
“We are thrilled to support OCTC with this new wildlife tracking tower and the learning and engagement opportunities it will bring students for years to come,” said Bethanie Roberts from Cargill.
Cargill, which owns Owensboro Grain Company, is a global company with 160,000 team members and “is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way,” according to a release. Cargill partners with farmers and customers to source, make, and deliver products that are vital for living.
“We are excited to call Cargill a partner of the OCTC Foundation and look forward to the opportunities that this grant award will provide for education, research, and our students,” said Sydney Warren, OCTC Foundation Executive Director and Chief Institutional Advancement Officers for OCTC.
Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President added, “We cannot thank Cargill enough for their generous support for our students and faculty. We are excited about the opportunity this grant will provide in enhancing our educational outcomes for our students.”
