Medical Illustration Students Create Education Materials for Phinizy Swamp and Nature Park

Have you ever been curious about the osprey at Phinizy Swamp, the adaptation of beavers, or the macroinvertebrates in the Savannah River? For over two decades, the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences has been dedicated to educating the public on these subjects. Since last year, our department has collaborated with the nature center to develop informative posters and kiosks.

This year, our students created works on the following subjects:

• Noah Smith: “Adaptations of Beavers” explores how beavers thrive in their environment.
• Avery Fleischman: “Observing Osprey” showcases Osprey characteristics and nests.
• Jillian Derjue: “Bald Cypress and Spanish Moss” delves into the symbiotic relationship between Spanish Moss and Bald Cypress at Phinizy.
• Isabel Wright: “Sturgeon of the Savannah River” reveals the life cycle of Savannah River sturgeons.
• Adam Hanley: “Animal Skulls Tell a Story” highlights the adaptations of otter and bobcat skulls.
• Eva Weber: “Rocky Shoals Spider Lily” discusses the challenges faced by the endangered Rocky Shoals Spider Lily.
• Abigalis Mejia-Saladin: “Breathing of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates” explores the varied breathing mechanisms of macroinvertebrates in the swamp and Savannah River.
• Landon Dyer: “Tichoptera (Caddisfly)” explores the various casings caddisflies build for protection.
• Laura Castro: “The Water Cleaning Crew” details the use of microbes for water treatment.

Our students tailored these illustrations to meet the center’s educational requirements, covering content often featured during community field trips, center research, and common park-related inquiries. We are grateful for this collaboration with the park, providing our students a valuable opportunity to work alongside community clients.