The Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and Professional Science Master (PSM) degrees in the Environmental Science and Management Department develop scientists, managers, and educators who can analyze and understand environmental systems, predict environmental change, and participate in the management of the environment. MEM and PSM students complete a project with scope and effort similar to a thesis but with more flexibility of topic and design, including an in-depth study of an appropriate problem. These projects are prepared for a community partner (e.g., a government agency, non-governmental organization, or private sector entity) and address a relevant and timely environmental issue. This collection includes the final project reports that have been reviewed and approved by the student's graduate committee.
Submissions from 2025
Trees, Schools, & Stakeholders: Building Partnerships for Schoolyard Greening With Portland Urban Forestry Learning Landscapes, Claire Brase
Submissions from 2024
Beavers, Hydrology, and Wapato: A Baseline for Monitoring Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Justine Casebolt
Submissions from 2023
Homelessness, Water Access, and Environmental Justice in an Urban Environment, Alicia Gamble
Current Vehicle Fleet Inventory and Future Implementation of a Centralized Electric Fleet at Portland State University, Dane Kovaleski
Management Plan for the Western Painted Turtle at the Sandy River Delta in Troutdale, Oregon, Emma Scott
An Examination of the Current Knowledge of Contaminants in Mangroves: Hawaii and Globally, Geoffrey Szafranski
Submissions from 2022
Carli Creek Regional Water Quality Project: Assessing Water Quality Improvement at an Urban Stormwater Constructed Wetland, Christopher L. Desiderati
Stakeholder Perceptions of Microplastics Management in Oregon, Maya Hurst-Mayr
Estimating Transport of Diesel Particulate Emissions in the Portland Metro Using Lagrangian-based Dispersion Modeling, Andrew McKinley Rogers
Identifying and Prioritizing Urban and Commercial Stormwater Concerns: City of Grants Pass, Oregon, Amie Nicole Siedlecki
Submissions from 2021
Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services Provided by Forest Ecosystems in Sri Lanka: A Study Based on 2010 Forest Cover Classification and the TEEB Database, Isuru Jayantha Alawaththa Kankanamge
Influence of Climate Change on Forest Fire Occurrence and Distribution of Sri Lanka and Modeling of Forest Fire, Mohan Heenatigala
An Examination of Limiting Factors of Chrysemys picta bellii (Western painted turtles) in the Lower Willamette River Basin, Oregon, James P. Holley
Community Engagement in Oregon Water Governance: Evaluating a State Water Policy and a Collaborative Q Methodology Research Project, Clare T. McClellan
Closed Canopies Crowd Out Bats: Planning Artificial Gap Creation, Alana Simmons
Current Stormwater Practices and Future Implementation at Portland State University with the Uncertainty of Climate Change, Evan Suemori and Alexandra Vargas Quiñones
Submissions from 2020
Neighborhood Air Quality Impact from Construction Site Emissions in Portland, OR, Lyndsey Boyle
Eagle Creek Post-Fire Monitoring for Water Temperature & Water Stage, Sylas Daughtrey
A Multi-Scale Assessment of the Relationship Between the Riparian Landscape and the Health of Streams in Portland, Oregon, Dylan Esmonde
A Framework for Incorporating Benefits from Urban Forests into Planning for Livable Cities: a Case Study of Forest Park, Carole Hardy
Trail Impact Monitoring in Forest Park, James Mitchell
Effectiveness of Focused Water Conservation Messaging in the Clackamas River, OR, Rikki Carroll Oden
Strategies for Urban Pollinator Management Using Habitat Monitoring and Restoration Planning in Portland Oregon, Fiona Smeaton
Soil Nitrogen Cycling Over Two Decades Following Calcium Treatment in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH, Angelina Uribe
Collecting Plant Phenology Data in Imperiled Oregon White Oak Ecosystems: Analysis and Recommendations for Metro, Kirsten Wright
Submissions from 2019
Analysis of Toxic Pollutant Sources and Characteristics Contributing to Water Quality Impairments in the Willamette River Basin, Melinda Borgens
Watershed Assessment of Tryon Creek of Oregon, Danielle Goodrich
Process-Based Modeling of the Dairy McKay Watershed to Inform Monitoring for Agricultural Best Management Practices, Brittany Saeman
Submissions from 2018
Waste Stream and Green Purchasing Analysis at Bonneville Lock and Dam, Alexander Bienko
Development of an Effective Shade Model for Water Quality Management in Oregon, Erin Costello
Assessing Effort Shifts and Familial Succession in Oregon’s Nearshore Fisheries, Bryn Ellen Hudson
Nadaka 2023 Management Plan, Andrea Hurzeler
Effects of Variable Density Thinning on Spatial Patterns of Overstory Trees in Mt. Hood National Forest, Emma Huston
Monitoring and Evaluating Malawi Youth Conservation Engagement after Community-Based Environmental Education Workshops, Stefanie Kramer
Long-Term Managed Flooding to Control Invasive Phalaris arundinacea L. and Help Restore Native Vegetation in an Urban Palustrine Wetlands Ecosystem, Robert P. Lascheck
Existing Ecological Conditions and Management Recommendations for a Portion of the Chehalem Ridge Nature Park, Oregon, Amanda Pole
Effects of Beaver Dams on Urban Stream Hydraulic Response During Storm Events, Erin Poor
Submissions from 2017
Informing Oregon's Marine Protected Area (MPA) Baseline Past and Present Tribal Uses of Marine Resources, Sabra Marie TallChief Comet
Johnson Creek Bacteria TMDL Implementation: Status and Trend Analysis Study, John Gala
Urban Connections: A Comparison of Connectivity Assessment Methods, Natalie M. Rogers
Submissions from 2016
Greenroof Study: Final Report, an Assessment of Greenroof Design and Maintenance in Portland, Oregon: 2011 – 2013, Windy Carney Beck
Clear Creek Estuary Restoration: Establishing an Ecological Monitoring Program and Baseline Conditions, Christine Butler-Minor
Mangrove Enhancement as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI): Potential Ecosystem Service Shifts Following Colonization, Andrew S. Harwood
Management Plan for Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta belli) at Fairview Creek Headwaters, Ashley Smithers
Assessment of TMDL Implementation and Water Quality Status and Trends in Amazon Creek and Coyote Creek Watersheds, Stosh Zydek
Submissions from 2015
An Ornithological Investigation of the Relationships Among Species Assemblages in Diverse Landscapes in Portland, Oregon, Trevor Attenberg
Rock Creek Restoration Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Report, Daniel Bedell
The Blue Heron Wetland Restoration Project: Eradication of Ludwigia peploides ssp. montevidensis from the Blue Heron Wetlands of Portland, OR, Alexander Staunch
Submissions from 2014
Plant Response to 14 Engineered Log Jams on the North Fork Toutle River, WA Sediment Plain, Todd Ashley
Evidence-Based Decision Making in Coastal Oregon: Increasing the Effectiveness of Policy and Management Decisions, Kaitlin Goldsmith
The Spread of Exotic Plant Species at Mount St. Helens: the Roles of a Road, Disturbance Type and Post-Disturbance Management, Lindsey Karr
Modeling Effective Shade to Prioritize Riparian Restoration Efforts in the Johnson Creek Watershed, OR, Brittany Sahatjian
The Effectiveness of Forest Collaborative Groups at Reducing the Likelihood of Project Appeals and Objections in Eastern Oregon, Brent M. Summers
Submissions from 2013
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Amphibian Chytrid Fungus Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis Occupancy in Amphibian Habitats, Tara Chestnut
Understanding the Drivers of Forest, Residential, and Agricultural Land Values in Yamhill County Using Hedonic Models, Emily D. Dietrich
Submissions from 2012
Connecting Habitat Across Roads: Field Testing Mitigation Strategies for Reducing Road Mortality of an Imperiled Butterfly, Rebecca Jalene Littlejohn
A Performance Assessment of Two Multi-component Water Quality Facilities in the Columbia Slough and Fairview Creek Watersheds, Chris Robinson
Submissions from 2011
Integrating Ecosystem Services, River Restoration and Community: a Case Study at Fisher's Bend, Michael Carlson
Sources and Pathways to the Environment and Environmental Presence, Tess Chadil
Macroinvertebrate Community Analysis on Lower Hood River Before and During the Removal of Powerdale Dam: A Baseline Study, Howard Jay Patterson
Policy Analysis for Optimizing Native Fisheries on the McKenzie River, Mary Ray
Submissions from 2010
Outcomes of a One-week Teaching Training in Community-based Ecological Research, Kara Gonsler
Submissions from 2009
State of the River Report for Toxics, Bradley Carter
The McKee Preserve Management Options at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Ashley Marie Edwards
Effects of Tide Gate Replacement on Water Temperature in a Freshwater Slough in the Columbia River Estuary, Sara Ennis
Downspout Disconnection Suitability and Incentives Analysis for the City of Gresham, Oregon, Brian C. Fletcher
Invasive Species Management Plan for Oswego Lake, Daniel Warren and Mark Sytsma
Calculating the Volume of the May 18, 1980 Eruption of Mount St. Helens, Dâvid Nuñez Wickham
Submissions from 2008
Designing More Effective Air Quality Advisories, Justin Olexy
Submissions from 2007
Riparian Shade Assessment and Restoration Priorities Analysis in the Damascus Urban Growth Boundary Expansion Area, Robin K. Leferink
Report on Nutria Management and Research in the Pacific Northwest, Trevor Sheffels and Mark Sytsma
Submissions from 2006
Estuarine Habitat Mitigation in Oregon: Policy Review, Analysis, and Recommended Improvements, Anna Buckley
Koll Center Wetlands Natural Resources Maintenance Management Plan, Meredith Clayton
Submissions from 2005
Preliminary Study Comparing Precipitation Quality Between Nominal Land Uses in Portland, Oregon, Lacey Sullivan
Submissions from 2004
Report on the Oregon Ballast Water Management Program in 2004, Kiirsten Flynn and Mark Sytsma
Submissions from 2003
Urbanization and its Relationship to Water Quality within the Bronson Creek Watershed, Jason Cristopher Creech
Watershed Data Organization and Project Prioritization, Joshua Darling