Postcard from the Field: Outer Banks – Jane Antonas ’25

January 30, 2025

Name: Jane Antonas
Major: Environmental Sciences and Philosophy | Minor: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Expected Graduation: May 2025
Hometown: Kernersville, N.C.

Why did you want to go to the Outer Banks Field Site?

Attending the OBX Field Site allowed me to fulfill many of the requirements for the “Environmental Behavior and Decision Making” concentration of my environmental studies degree. This alone was a huge draw for me, but I was also interested in the concentrated environmental studies experience. Being in a small cohort where everyone is focused on the same classes and research was very appealing to me. It seemed like a great way to immerse myself in the ecological and social sciences that fascinate me the most, as well as build strong connections with my peers and experts in the field!

What specifically did you do at the Outer Banks Field Site?

My time at the field site was split between class and research. I conducted research for both our final “capstone” presentation and my internship at the North Carolina Coastal Federation. At the federation, I worked closely with policy experts at a nonprofit to examine the impacts of a recent Supreme Court decision on wetlands protection through GIS modeling. About once a month, for 3 to 4 days, I also traveled with the rest of the cohort and faculty to the Currituck Sound, where we conducted data collection and processing for our final research project. This was the more “hands-on” part of our field experience, which included boating to different areas of the marsh to take soil cores and water and vegetation samples. Finally, much of my time at the field site was spent attending class and learning about ecological and legal processes that impact the Outer Banks.

Jane Antonas in a kayak. — Antonas went kayaking on an internship day with the Coastal Federation. She took a kayak tour of the federation’s oyster sill and erosion control models, which they have installed all along the shoreline of their office.

What was the most impactful experience you had while at the Outer Banks Field Site?

The whole research process, from start to finish, has a great impact on me. It was truly amazing to see such a process evolve from an idea to a tangible presentation of results. Throughout the research project, we talked to stakeholders who had deep emotional and personal connections to the area we were studying. This made me feel that our research was truly meaningful. I also learned so much from my peers. Every one of them was incredibly experienced and knowledgeable about so many different aspects of environmental studies. They came from different educational and cultural backgrounds, and everyone was enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and helping create a nurturing academic environment. The final research presentation, therefore, was hugely impactful for me because it was the culmination of so much hard work and so many great experiences.

The entire cohort made themselves comfy in the classroom pavilion to watch the presidential debate. This is where they attended class when they were on research intensives in Currituck Sound.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve taken from your experience at the Outer Banks Field Site?

The greatest lesson I learned from the field site was definitely the importance of local knowledge and representation in scientific fields. Gathering and analyzing ecological data was a huge part of our research and was invaluable to our findings and conclusion, but it was particularly special that we were also able to represent local perspectives and connect them with our scientific results. It is easy to get bogged down in the natural science of a research project, but it is important to remember the context in which you are working. The space you are studying probably has a history of lived experience that almost certainly informs the way it looks today! To get a comprehensive picture of our natural environment, we have to consider the ways humans have interacted with it, in addition to all other living creatures and natural forces.

Jane Antonas and her roommate enjoying the sunrise during an early-morning lab session on the beach. We studied ghost crab nesting behaviors near Jeanette's Pier. — Antonas and her roommate enjoying the sunrise during an early-morning lab session on the beach. They studied ghost crab nesting behaviors near Jeanette’s Pier.

Do you have any advice for other students who are considering going to the Outer Banks Field Site?

Do it! I waited until I felt “ready,” which meant finally applying to attend during my senior year. In some ways, this was great because I had three years of previous college experience to inform my academic work at the field site. However, I think it is never too early to put yourself out there and pursue your interests! If you are interested in environmental policy and natural sciences, just apply and see where it takes you! If you decide to go, make sure to take lots of pictures and even keep a journal or scrapbook! You’ll make so many memories that you’ll want to have forever.

A beautiful sunset seen from the sunroom of the Pine Island hunting lodge where Antonas and her cohort stayed during our Currituck Sound research intensives.

Learn more about the Outer Banks Field Site.

Caption for the featured photo at the top: Antonas was very proud of this pinfish she caught during an activity day when they visited Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. (Don’t worry, she threw it back!)