Marilynn Bartels (2002)
Associate Professor – Biology
M.S., Oregon State University
Office: Building 2, Room 268
Phone: 309-796-5235
E-mail: bartelsm@bhc.edu
I grew up in Dubuque, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies. From there, I ventured to the Pacific Northwest to study withDr. Mark V. Wilson in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University, Corvallis.
While at OSU, I was involved in several research projects studying the restoration and ecology of prairies in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. I did my thesis research at W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge and studied the effects of various habitat manipulations on Sidalcea nelsoniana (Nelson’s checkermallow). Found only in the Willamette Valley and adjacent coast range of western Oregon and southwestern Washington, this plant is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and by the State of Oregon. Since the wildlife refuge had a healthy population of S. nelsoniana, managers there wanted to know what they could do to protect this plant and its habitat.
I completed my Master of Science degree in 2000 with a thesis titled “Conservation of Sidalcea nelsoniana through habitat management: Effects of burning, mowing, and altered flooding regime on a rare Willamette Valley perennial.” During the summer of 2000, I presented parts of my research at the North American Prairie Conference and the Ecological Society of America Meeting.
I returned to the Midwest after graduate school and settled in Davenport, Iowa. I was an adjunct instructor at Scott Community College where I taught Introduction to Biology. I also worked in the office of an amazing local non-profit organization, River Action. Check out their web site for information about current projects designed to protect the environmental, cultural, and economic integrity of the Mississippi Riverfront in the Quad Cities. Currently, I am enjoying the opportunity to teach full time at Black Hawk College!
Current professional memberships include the Society of Wetland Scientists, Ecological Society of America, and Iowa Academy of Science.
When not teaching, I enjoy hiking, camping, photography, spending time with my husband Ryan Less, and pampering Sienna, our Golden Retriever.
Courses Currently Taught at Black Hawk College
Biology 101 – General Human Biology
Biology 145 – Anatomy and Physiology I
Biology 146 – Anatomy and Physiology II
Biology 200 – Environmental Biology I
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