John Acorn, BSc, MSc
Contact
Faculty Serv Officer, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Renewable Resources Dept
- jacorn@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-7202
- Address
-
777 General Services Building
9007 - 116 St NWEdmonton ABT6G 2H1
Overview
About
Awards
- 2013 - Entomological Foundation Medal of Honor
- 2012 - Royal Society of Canada's McNeil Medal for Science Promotion and Awareness
- 2010 - ASTech Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Award
- 2009-13 - Faculty Teacher of the Year award, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences
- 2008 - NSERC Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion.
- 2005 - 2005 University of Alberta Distinguished Alumni Award.
- 2003 - Carr Award for promotion of amateur entomology from the Entomological Society of Alberta.
- 2000 - First Place in the Film and Video Category in the Emerald Awards of Interpretation Canada, for gallery videos at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (with McCloskey Productions).
- 1998 - Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Awards Foundation Prize for Excellence in Science and Technology Journalism.
- 2003 - 2003 Bowman Award for Lepidopteran discovery from the Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild.
- 2001 - First Place in the Film and Video Category in the awards of the U.S. National Association for Interpretation, for gallery videos at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (with McCloskey Productions).
- 2005 - 2005 Alberta Book Design Awards: best design for "Damselflies of Alberta: Flying Neon Toothpicks in the Grass."
Research
Major Responsibilities/Research Interests
The University of Alberta Alumni Association awarded John Acorn the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award. The Alumni Recognition Awards celebrate the diverse accomplishments of alumni and the recognition they bring to the University. Affectionately known around the world as the Nature Nut, John Acorn has shared his love for Alberta's entomology and natural history with the world. Acorn is an internationally known scientist, author and broadcaster whose career has been marked with creativity and a passion for science. The host and creative force behind the popular TV series Acorn, the Nature Nut, he has educated and entertained audiences worldwide. As a best-selling author, he has had a huge impact on amateur entomology, and his field guides have earned him numerous awards. As research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology and the E. H. Strickland Entomology Museum, Acorn continually goes beyond his professional commitments and generously gives his time to promote the field. He served as president of the Entomological Society of Alberta, and he participates in numerous other associations. Acorn's work has been honoured in many ways, including the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Award Foundation Prize for Excellence in Science and Technology Journalism and two "Rosies" from the Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association.
Courses
ENCS 299 - Special Topics in Field Skills and Their Application in the Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Focuses on specialized field skills, their application, and integration in different sub-disciplines of the environmental and conservation sciences. The course involves off-campus field experiences. A student is required to select a topic related to their major, but may take additional sections as part of their electives. Pre- or corequisite: REN R 290.
REN R 205 - Wildlife Biodiversity and Ecology
Introduction to animals in the context of conservation, interactions with people, and roles in natural ecosystems. Labs provide a survey of Western Canadian animal life, both vertebrate and invertebrate, with emphasis on recognition of higher taxa and on hierarchical classification. Field trip. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
REN R 402B - Directed Research in Renewable Resources
Directed research, with the intent of preparing the student for graduate studies. Generally undertaken in the fourth year of study, over the course of the fall and winter terms and results in an undergraduate thesis. Students wishing to enrol must obtain permission from an instructor, as well as the Associate Chair, Undergraduate, Department of Renewable Resources. Prerequisite: *60 and consent of instructor.
REN R 462 - Parks, Ecology, and Society
An overview of the diversity of management practices among protected areas, including national and provincial parks, interpreted in the context of the ongoing development of ecological science and environmentalism. Prerequisite: REN R 260. REN R 364 recommended.
REN R 467 - Environmental Interpretation and Science Communication
An overview of theories and methods of communication, as applied to environmental topics and general audiences. Includes discussion of environmental interpretation, science communication, audio-visual communication, and media skills.
REN R 566 - Parks, Ecology, and Society
An overview of the diversity of management practices among protected areas, including national and provincial parks, interpreted in the context of the ongoing development of ecological science and environmentalism. Prerequisite: REN R 260. REN R 364 recommended. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 462 or 766.
REN R 567 - Environmental Interpretation and Science Communication
An overview of theories and methods of communication, as applied to environmental topics and general audiences. Includes discussion of environmental interpretation, science communication, audio-visual communication, and media skills. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 467 or 764.
REN R 906B - Research Project
The final research project that comprises REN R 906 is a final capping exercise for the degrees of MAg and MF. Its practical and professional focus should integrate the core areas of study in the program. The successful completion of the project entails (1) a research topic approved by the supervisor; (2) the presentation of a draft research proposal; and (3) the presentation of the research as a written document to the supervisor. The project may take the form of any of the following: (1) a formal analysis of management practice, organizational processes or policy; (2) a formative or summative evaluation of a research project or program; (3) a case study, using secondary documents, survey data, or interviews; or (4) replication of a previous study, with either the introduction of a new variable or an analysis in a changed context.
Featured Publications
Glasier, J. R. N. and J. H. Acorn
Biological Survey of Canada. 2014 January; Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands (Volume) 4 (Biodiversity and Systematics Part 2):299-314
Acorn, John
Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2014 January;
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2014 January;
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2014 January;
Bell, Phil R., Federico Fanti, John Acorn, and Robin S. Sissons
Journal of Paleontology.. 2014 January; 87 (1):146-149
Acorn, John
Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2014 January;
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2014 January;
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2014 January;
Acorn, John
Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2013 January; (Fall 2013):9-10
Acorn, John
American Entomologist.. 2013 January; 59 (2):127-128
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2013 January; 59 (3):190-192
Glasier, J.R.N., and J. H. Acorn
Coleopterists Bulletin.. 2013 January; 67 (2):188–189
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2013 January; 59 (4):255-256
Acorn, John
American Entomologist.. 2013 January; 59 (1):63-64
Acorn, John
Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2013 January; (Fall 2013):5-6
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2012 January; 57
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2012 January; 57
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2012 January; 57
Murray, Alison M., Michael G. Sullivan, and John Acorn
Canadian Field-Naturalist. 2012 January; 125 (4):378-380
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56
Acorn, John
American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56
Acorn, John
2005 January;
Acorn, John
2003 January;
Acorn, John
The Encylopedia of Insects. 2003 January;
Acorn, John
2002 January;
Acorn, John
News of the Lepidopterists’ Society. 2002 January; 44
Acorn, John
2001 January;
Acorn, John
Lone Pine Publishing. 2001 January;
Acorn, John
2001 January;
Acorn, John
2000 January;
Acorn, John and Chris Fisher
1998 January;
Glasier, J.R.N., Acorn, J.H., Nielsen, S., Proctor, H.
Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification. 22