Mentor’s Name and Department: Dr. Rachel Schultz, Environmental Science & Ecology
Major and Class Year: Environmental Science, Class of 2027
Long-Term Goals: I intend to work in conservation and/or conservation research. I am very interested in the conservation of sensitive habitats such as wetlands.
Project Description:
With the continuous threat of climate change, it’s incredibly important to be gathering information about vulnerable habitats and the flora and fauna that live in them. I am documenting lifecycles of two species of protected orchids that live in peatlands – rose pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides) and white-fringe orchid (Platanthera blephariglottis) using repeat photography throughout the summer.
What is the most unexpected result from your research experience?
My proposal was initially denied by the group that owns the property I am working on due to concerns over disturbing rare plants. Dr. Schultz and I had to work up plans A, B, and C for a pivot that allowed us to keep the research plan intact. Eventually we came up with a study methodology that was acceptable to the land ownership and management group! We were able to work out a camera-based study instead of a study based on repeated hand-measurements of plants.
This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Ralph P. and Elizabeth S. Gennarino Research Award.