Research funding available for student conservation-related studies

Dear students: 

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum has received a gift to support studies of natural history, promote the preservation and biodiversity, and /or encourage studies of rare and endangered species.  This gift will allow us to offer grant support ($2500-5000) for studies related to a rare species or habitat found on our four properties (Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum, Mud Lake Bog, and Horner-McLaughlin Woods).  These funds would be particularly appropriate for students working on an honor’s thesis, master’s thesis or practicum, or PhD.

We have proposed a list of topics that would be high priority for us.  If you are interested in pursuing a study related to one of these topics, please see me or our Natural Areas Manager, Jeff Plakke (jplakke@umich.edu).  For information on our properties, see http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/see/gis/.

Deadline: March 10^th or as available until funds are exhausted.

Thanks, Bob  Grese

bgrese@umich.edu

734-763-0645

1.       Study of one or several of the rare animal species found or potentially found on our properties and/or management of their habitat.  These include:

a.       massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

b.      Blanding’s turtle (Emys blandingii)

c.       Kirtland’s snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)

d.      Duke’s skipper butterfly (Euphyes dukesi)

e.      Redside dace (Clinosomus elongates)

f.        Indiana brown bat (Myotis sodalis)

2.       Study of one or more of the rare or conservative plant species found on our properties such as:

a.       Dichanthelium leibergii (Leiberg’s panic grass)

b.      Hypoxis hirsuta (yellow star grass)

c.       Jeffersonia diphylla (twinflower)

d.      Ranunculus fascicularis (early buttercup)

e.      Sanguisorba canadensis (American burnet)

f.        Taenidia integerrima (yellow pimpernel)

g.       Trillium flexipes (nodding wake-robin)

h.      Several  orchid, ladyslipper or related species

i.         Various rare sedges

j.        Several gentian species

3.       Dynamics and/or management of habitats such as

a.       Floodplain forest

b.      Poor conifer swamp

c.       Hardwood-conifer swamp

d.      Inundated shrub swamp

e.      Southern wet meadow

f.        Prairie fen

g.       Dry mesic prairie

h.      Oak openings/savanna

i.         Dry mesic southern forest

j.        Stream  or other aquatic habitats—streams such as Fleming Creek or the Huron River or Mud Lake Bog