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thesis availability

Hello to All from Kalamazoo,

I am very happy to inform you that I have successfully completed my
master's thesis and am graduating from Western Michigan University.  I
tell you this because many of you have provided input throughout.  My
thesis involved developing a mathematical model for siting nature
reserves.  My case study consisted of aiding the Kalamazoo Nature Center
in determining optimal location(s) for a tallgrass prairie planting.

I have had several inquiries about obtaining copies of my thesis.  It is
quite long, nearly 300 pages, and includes 23 color graphics, so the
cost of reproduction is rather high.  As an alternative, I am in the
process of converting it to a pdf document, which can be read and
printed out using Adobe Acrobat (free software).  I will be burning CDs
of this as soon as I have the conversion complete (many tables and
figures are making it complicated).

If you are interested in obtaining a copy, I will only charge the cost
of reproduction ($2-3) and postage (not sure yet).  I have pasted in the
abstract below.  I can also send it as an attachment, if this somehow
gets messy in the transfer.  Contact me via email at x93mau@wmich.edu.
I'll continue to have this account through next semester, even though
I'm graduating soon!!

Thanks for your interest, and also for your past and future input!!
Theresa Mau-Crimmins


Abstract:

THE EDUCATIONAL NATURE RESERVE PROBLEM:
SELECTING A PRAIRIE RESERVE LOCATION
FOR THE KALAMAZOO NATURE CENTER


 Theresa M. Mau-Crimmins, M. A.

 Western Michigan University, 1999


 This study investigates a complex location-planning problem that is
often faced by managers of nature centers: how to select sites on which
to position new habitat reserves.  Mission statements of these
establishments often indicate objectives of habitat preservation and
public education.  Inherent in land preservation is a limited amount of
traffic through the area.  In contrast, in order for visitors to fully
experience an ecosystem, access to the site is required.

 In order to address site selection problems at such institutions, the
Educational Nature Reserve Model was developed.  This model fits
situations in which the conflicting goals of conservation and education
must be considered when determining the best location for a new
habitat.  As a case study, the Kalamazoo Nature Center's main property
in Cooper Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan was examined for the best
location on which to reconstruct a native tallgrass prairie. The
Educational Nature Reserve Model proved beneficial in the site selection
process at the Kalamazoo Nature Center.  Many alternative solutions were
quickly generated, allowing trade-offs of objectives among decision
makers, greatly enhancing the organization's decision-making capacities.




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