Mapping Sagebrush Restoration

This VIP is not accepting students for Fall 2024

FALL 2021 offered hybrid.

What is the ambitious goal of this project?

Mapping and modeling ecosystem dynamics is a key part of natural resource management, from habitat restoration to wildlife conservation. Our team will develop new methods to forecast the success of ecological restoration in sagebrush steppe. We will conduct fieldwork outside and in the computer lab, aimed towards research outcomes that can promote sustainable landscapes.

• See the recent article on this important research.
• This project is supported by NSF award number OIA-1757324 from the NSF Idaho EPSCoR Program and by the National Science Foundation.

Experience Gained

• Students will learn how to apply geospatial technology, including GIS software, drones, and GPS, to study ecological processes at landscape scales.
• coding and coding software
• case studies
• fieldwork
• mobile tech development
• quantitative research methods

Majors and Interests Needed

We are looking for students interested in working on teams, learning new tools and from the majors, including but not limited to, listed as follows:

• Bachelor of Applied Science
• Biological Sciences
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Environmental Studies Program
• Geosciences
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Mathematics
• Physics

VIP Coach Information

Dr. Trevor Caughlin is an Assistant Professor in the Biology department interested in seed dispersal, ecological restoration and landowner decision-making.