Jessica Veenstra - final -103020.jpg
Faculty

Jessica Veenstra

Natural Sciences Department Chair, Professor of Natural Sciences
Students researching at the beach

Professional Profile

Ph.D. Iowa State University (Environmental Science, Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture)
M.S. University of California, Davis (Soil and Biogeochemistry)
B.S. University of California, Davis (Environmental Resource Sciences)

Teaching

NAS 105 Earth Science
NAS 107 Environmental Science
NAS 225 Science Communication
NAS 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
NAS 243 Physical Geography
NAS 355 Coastal Processes
NAS 470 Coastal Environmental Science Capstone
FlagSHIP Study Abroad to Jordan

Research

My research interests are broad and include: environmental science, geography, soil change, food and agriculture, and coastal erosion and shoreline management. Recently, I have been interested in using constructed oysters reefs as “living shorelines” to protect salt marshes from erosion, as well as using drones to monitor shoreline change over time.

  • Dean's Award for Excellence in Professional Development

More Information

Google Scholar Profile

Publications

*undergraduate authors from Flagler College

Veenstra, J.J., M. Southwell, N. Dix, P. Marcum, J. Jackson*, C. Burns*, C. Herbert*, A. Kemper*. 2021 High Carbon Accumulation Rates in Sediment Adjacent to Constructed Oyster Reefs, NE Florida, USA. Journal of Coastal Conservation 25(4):1-11

Safak, I., P.L. Norby, N. Dix, R.E. Grizzle, M.W. Southwell, J.J. Veenstra, A. Acevedo*, T. Cooper-Kolb*, L. Massey*, C. Angelini. 2020. Coupling breakwalls with oyster restoration structures enhances living shoreline performance along energetic shorelines. Ecological Engineering.

Chaya, T.*, Mentors: J.J. Veenstra, M. Southwell. 2019. After Hurricanes Irma and Matthew: Living Shorelines Stabilize Sediments. American Journal of Undergraduate Research. 16(2). 63-72

Southwell, M., J.J. Veenstra, C. Adams*, E. Scarlett*, K. Payne*, 2017. Changes in Sediment Characteristics Upon Oyster Reef Restoration, NE Florida, USA. Journal of Coastal Zone Management. 20(442), 2

McGinley, E., A. O’Connor*, E. Vazquez*, and J. Veenstra. 2016. Analysis of the nearshore fish community in a northeast Florida estuary. Southeastern Naturalist. 15(4):613-640.

Wills, S.A., C.O. Williams M.C. Duniway, J.J. Veenstra, C. Seybold, D. Presley, 2016. Chapter 18: Human Land Use and Soil Change, in West, L.T., M.J. Singer, and A. Hartemink (eds.) Soils of the USA, Springer, New York.

Van Meter, K., N. Basu, J. Veenstra, C.L. Burras. 2016. The nitrogen legacy: emerging evidence of nitrogen accumulation in anthropogenic landscapes. Environmental Research Letters. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/11/3/035014

Veenstra, J.J. and L. Burras. July-August 2015. Soil Profile Transformation After 50 Years of Agricultural Land Use. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 79(4): 1163-1168

Mitchell, J.P., A. Shrestha, W.R. Horwath, R.J. Southard, N. Madden, J.J. Veenstra, and D.S. Munk. 2015. Tillage and Cover Cropping Affect Crop Yields and Soil Carbon in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Agronomy Journal. Vol. 107 Iss. 2.

Website

Office Hours (On Campus):

  • Monday: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM