Dune Research Presentations

The GEO Seminar Series at Calvin University invites public lectures each semester on topics related to geology, geography and the environment. The GEO Seminar on 4 December 2025 from 3-4:30pm was Dune Research Presentations by First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES): Dunes research teams. To see the video of the entire event which was livestreamed via Zoom: https://youtu.be/83Jq83xYboE 
Links to videos of individual presentations are available below.

Presentation Topics and Research Teams

Impacts of Unmanaged Trails on Sand Movement  https://youtu.be/Hv0VI-XVUaw

by Makayla Goodrich, Lucy Giessen, Renata Laird, and Mia Powell

Tick Habitats on Dune Slopes  https://youtu.be/tCqHlksy_O0

by Peter Baima, Jacob Kissinger, Micah Mackenzie, Betsy Perez, Kaley Sheahan, Jonathan Solis

Blowout Activity at Hoffmaster State Park  https://youtu.be/BZz-dDCIN9s

by Ian Emmelkamp, Bibi Moricette, Nancy Oteney, and Cohen Schneider

Cirsium pitcheri in Relation to Unmanaged Trails  https://youtu.be/DuHO3oMS8To

by Willem Klop, Asher McNiel, Ivy Ries, and Alisha Steinmann

Wooded Dunes as Tick Habitats https://youtu.be/okIteRJe-vU

by Benjamin Cooper, Jared Genthner, Levi King, Cole Schmidt, and Polly Zenk
Team member and coauthor Jared Genthner had a schedule conflict and was not able to join his team for the presentation.

The GEO Seminar on 5 December 2024 from 3-4:30pm was Dune Research Presentations by First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES): Dunes research teams. To see the video of the entire event which was livestreamed via Zoom: https://youtu.be/69TzLs4Zi2U. Links to videos of individual presentations are available below.

Emerging Dunes Found Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline https://youtu.be/JREWvS-8Pqo

by Syann Benckhuysen, Mary Claire Davis, and Abigayle Seigneurie 

Threats to Cirsium Pitcheri at Rosy Mound Natural Area https://youtu.be/owPCXSo0Y4o

by Rhys Bedford, Nathan Boersema, Sam Hagberg, and Elem Rottman

Characteristics of Succession on a Lake Michigan Blowout https://youtu.be/o8Rl6AxwnSc 

by Lilliah Engel, Hope Gritter, Lucas Phelps, Jace Porter, and Susannah TenHuisen

Impacts of Building a Boardwalk on a Dune https://youtu.be/oOeAuGL5tak

by Emily Baartman, Tyler Gerrick, and Jordyn Holtsoi

Vegetation Patterns and the Effects of Trampling on Blowouts https://youtu.be/j9R9nEKMXyY

by Kelsey Brunsting, Charles Kuiper, Linnea Pothoven, and Josslin Wright

Sand Fences and Rare Thistle Patterns on a Managed Dune https://youtu.be/GZtivGtxV3s

by Bethany Carlson, Rebecca Evenhouse, Maia Peterson, and Corinne Van Stratt