We are excited to announce our 2024 recipients of the student research grants! The North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) annually offers student research grants of up to $4,000 for studies focused on local, native plants and their habitats. This grant is available to undergraduate and graduate students at Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods.
The purpose of these grants is to assist and promote student research that leads to a greater understanding of native plants and their habitats and, ideally, better conservation and management outcomes. Research topics and approaches can vary widely and include but are not limited to basic biology, taxonomy, ecological interactions, vegetation, evolutionary biology, climate change, traditional ecological knowledge, ecological restoration, listed species recovery, invasive species eradication and management, and native plant habitat studies. However, the research must focus on plants native to Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, and Del Norte Counties.
Sebastian Evans
Is first year graduate student in Natural Resources at Cal Poly Humboldt working as a field botanist under CNPS mapping vegetation in the Klamath Mountains. His thesis focusses on succession ecology of alpine glaciers in the Klamath mountains within vascular and non vascular plant communities and how they are changing in turn with our climate.
Graduate advisors: Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas & Dr. Rosemary Sherriff, Cal Poly Humboldt
Cameron M Jones
Is assessing the species boundaries and evolutionary origin of Erysimum menziesii (CRPR 1B.1, Federal Rank: FE), aiming to resolve taxonomic ambiguity among populations of Erysimum along the Northern California coast. Additionally, by pinpointing the progenitor species of E. menziesii, Cameron will contribute to our understanding of how microevolutionary processes promote speciation within the California Floristic Province.
Graduate advisor: Dr. Oscar Vargas, Cal Poly Humboldt
CJ Copper
Is a graduate student in the Natural Resources Department at Cal Poly Humboldt and works as a field botanist in the Klamath Mountains Ecoregion. Her graduate research seeks to assess the impacts of conifer encroachment on Oregon white oak epiphyte biodiversity.
Graduate advisors: Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas & Dr. Rosemary Sherriff, Cal Poly Humboldt