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Exploring Urban Ecology in Japan
A global learning experience made possible by VWU’s Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies
University News | September 10, 2024
Through its new Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies, 91风月楼 is working to enhance its partnership with Lakeland University at the two schools' joint campus in Japan. This past summer marked a significant milestone, as VWU students, for the first time, joined their counterparts from Lakeland at the schools' shared campus in Tokyo. Together, they embarked on a transformative educational experience, blending science, cultural immersion, and international collaboration.
Led by Dr. Maynard Schaus, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, and Dr. Deirdre C. Gonsalves-Jackson, Vice President for VWU Global Campus and Professor of Biology, the Urban Ecology course offered students a hands-on exploration of urban environments and humankind’s impact on them. 
The course, which ran for three weeks between July and August, began with two weeks of intensive study at LUJ’s Tokyo campus. It marked a significant milestone for both institutions, as it was the first course to bring together students from both VWU and LUJ into one classroom. Seven VWU students and four LUJ students participated, forming a dynamic group that fostered cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
Students examined urban spaces as ecosystems—complex environments shaped by human activities such as population growth and resource consumption. The course delved into critical issues related to urbanization, including water, air, energy, and public health impacts.
One of the highlights of the Tokyo experience was a visit to the Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park, a restored wetland habitat adjacent to one of the world’s busiest ports. Students observed firsthand how urban areas can integrate green spaces and habitats into densely populated environments, fostering biodiversity amid human expansion.
The class also toured the Shinagawa waste incineration plant. "That plant generates enough electricity to power 10,000 homes by burning a large portion of the area’s trash," explained Dr. Schaus. “Tokyo’s meticulous waste management system, which sorts recyclables and burnable materials from non-burnables, reduces landfill waste by 95 percent, and the ash is later used to produce cement.”
Heat measurements taken by students using thermal imaging cameras provided concrete data on the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon where urban areas with impervious surfaces, like buildings and pavement, experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding green spaces. This issue has profound implications for human health, particularly during heatwaves.
The fieldwork culminated in a cross-country trip via the famous Shinkansen bullet train, where students traveled to cities like Toba, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. In these settings, students were able to compare the ecological differences between highly urbanized and more rural or natural environments.
"I think our students gained an appreciation of a culture that values the entire community over the individual," said Dr. Schaus. “This cultural insight, combined with their ecological studies, enriched their understanding of global issues and local solutions.” 
The Urban Ecology course in Japan exemplifies Virginia Wesleyan’s commitment to global education, sustainability, and interdisciplinary learning, giving its students the tools to tackle environmental challenges while deepening their understanding of different cultures. Through fieldwork, collaboration, and exploration, students left with a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecological and human systems—and the profound impact they have on both.
As VWU continues to expand its global footprint through partnerships like the one with LUJ, the hope is that future courses will continue to inspire students to become global citizens equipped with the knowledge and empathy to shape a more sustainable world. The Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies at LUJ will further this mission through curriculum that will focus on environmental/sustainability issues through course offerings in Urban Ecology, Environmental Biology, and the Natural History of Japan. This inclusion reflects the school’s commitment to equipping students with the scientific understanding needed to address global environmental challenges, ensuring that they emerge as leaders capable of making a positive impact on the world stage.