November 2023

Engaging Students of All Disciplines in Environmental Issues: Leveraging Research Grants to Break Down Academic Silos (Part 1)

Dr. Chris Halle

Program Developer, Center for Environmental Inquiry, Sonoma State University


Vegetation management needed to maintain safety in powerline rights-of-ways (ROWs) has significant effects on local ecosystems. A (60-year) series of studies on the east coast has demonstrated that introducing “ecosystem edges” through large tracts of forest can enhance habitat for many species, as well as providing wildlife corridors for larger fauna. However, translating these results to ecosystems on the West Coast is problematic. Even identical management techniques may have dramatically different effects in different ecosystems.

 

To address this need, the Center for Environmental Inquiry (CEI) at Sonoma State University and the Pollinator Partnership have worked with utility providers PG&E and SMUD to identify three locations to study ROW vegetation management on the west coast (Figure 1). Each of the three sites contains plots that are treated by mechanical means only, as well as plots that use spot herbicide treatments. With funding provided by the TREE Fund, we have: (1) obtained at least three years of pollinator and vegetation observations at each site (Figure 2), (2) trained students of all disciplines to apply their specialties to environmental issues, and (3) established a fledgling ROW vegetation monitoring network on the U.S. West Coast.

 

The mission of CEI is to create communities of students, faculty, and community members that are interested in working together on pressing environmental issues. CEI attempts to “break down” academic silos by actively recruiting students and faculty by using small 10k challenge grants (in this case, either funded by the TREE Fund, or matched by CEI). The grants can be used for student salaries, supplies, field trips, etc. We have been successful in engaging many faculty and students in environmental issues, including students from disciplines as diverse as philosophy, computer science, and communications. Many of these students have changed the direction of their studies and careers based on this environmental engagement.

 

As one example, for this ROW study, researchers installed camera traps to document the effect of vegetation management on wildlife movement. Such image datasets often contain large numbers of “false alarms”, which are triggered by vegetation blowing in the wind or cloud shadows moving across the ground. Distinguishing them from “true capture events” (images of actual animals, humans, vehicles) requires a substantial amount of personnel time.


Look for Part 2 in our December 2023 issue.

Figure 1. Locations of the Three Study Sites. Habitat at Fairfield Osborn Preserve consists mainly of oaks, bay laurel, and grasslands. Pepperwood Preserve includes a mixture of oaks, grasslands, and conifers. The habitat at El Dorado is a mixed conifer forest, located at the edge of the 2014 King Fire.

Figure 2. SSU intern Kyle Peel runs a transect tape in Eldorado National Forest.

Lead Donors


We are deeply grateful to the following people and organizations whose accumulated contributions to TREE Fund in 2023 surpassed $2,500 or more as of October:


Canadian TREE Fund

Aspen- SavATree Tree Service

Stuart M. Crow

Jeffrey S. Hamilton, Jr.

Mid-Atlantic Chapter, ISA

J. Eric Smith and Marcia Brom Smith


See the full list of lead donors who make our vital tree research and education work possible on our website.

Consider Supporting TREE Fund on Giving Tuesday


As many of you may know, today is not just any Tuesday, it's Giving Tuesday: a global day of generosity that kicks off the charitable season. It's a day when individuals and organizations come together to support the causes that matter most to them. At TREE Fund, we are dedicated to advancing the knowledge and skills of arborists, promoting research, and fostering a sustainable future for our urban forests.


As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to sustain our initiative of freely sharing knowledge. If you find value in the resources and expertise shared by TREE Fund and if you believe in the importance of cultivating a community that prioritizes the health and well-being of our trees, we encourage you to consider making a donation to support our free webinar series and work. You can make a donation today and help us to continue to spread this knowledge so that it is useful for everyone in our industry and the general public.


Your contributions go a long way in ensuring that we can continue to bring you high-quality content, engage renowned speakers, and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas that shape the future of arboriculture. Whether it's a small contribution or a more substantial one, every dollar counts, and your support truly makes a difference. Thank you for your support.

Free Webinars


TREE Fund is proud to partner with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to bring you free education offerings. We are now able to accommodate up to 3,000 participants! 


Tuesday, November 28. Noon CDT.

Presenters: Dr. Susan Day and Laura Grant

Analyzing timing and causes of individual tree loss after land development: Insights for urban forest management


Registration is now available.


TREE Fund’s 1-hour webinars are free and offer 1.0 CEU credit for live broadcasts from the International Society of Arboriculture and the Society of American Foresters. Registration and information will become available on our website approximately two weeks before each webinar date.


Upcoming Webinars (registration opens about two weeks prior)

  • Our 2024 Webinar Series scheduled will be released after the new year.


Missed a webinar? Watch it anytime on our website.


CEU Credit for Recorded Webinar

TREE Fund now offers ISA CEU credits for one recorded webinar: "Loading of a Tie-in Point While Climbing." If you missed this webinar, you can now watch the recording and earn ISA CEU credits by completing a 20 question quiz with 80% accuracy. Learn more on our website.

Visit our Website
THANK YOU
TREE Fund Crown Partners! 
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  
TREE Fund
1755 Park St. Suite #200, Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-8300
treefund@treefund.org
www.treefund.org
Donate now

TREE Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry.