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Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Student Research Grants

Deadline to apply: 31 March 2008

Thanks to a generous endowment from the family of Dr. David Cofrin and the late John Cofrin, annual awards are awarded for student research on the Cofrin Arboretum and UW-Green Bay natural areas. Students carry out a field project in collaboration with a UW-Green Bay faculty member and will present results in at our annual research symposium. The grants are competitive and must contribute to improving our understanding of ecology on one or more of the UW Green Bay Natural Areas. Since it was founded in 1989 this program has supported over 80 graduate and undergraduate researchers at UW-Green Bay.

Students interested in applying for grants should contact a faculty member in the area of interest and design a brief (2-5 page) proposal containing an introduction (with literature review), objective, proposed methods, and anticipated outcomes of the work. There is a list of previous projects and there is a list of suggested research ideas, but you are not limited to these suggestions.

Proposals for the year 2008 must be submitted online using the Cofrin Grant Application. Proposals are due on 31 March 2008. For more information contact Vicki Medland, at medlandv@uwgb.edu or 465-2342

 
Request for Proposals

Grants are available to support student research projects conducted within the Cofrin Arboretum and the UW-Green Bay Natural Areas, including Toft Point and Peninsula Center in Door County, Point au Sauble in Brown County, and Kingfisher Farm in Manitowoc County. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible although preference will be given to undergraduates.

Successful applicants will carry out a field project in collaboration with a UW-Green Bay faculty member and present results in an Annual Research Symposium, held the last week of February. Funding for each project typically ranges from $500 - $1000 and can be used for a student stipend, field equipment, or research supplies. Students interested in applying should contact a faculty member in the area of interest and design a brief (2-5 page) proposal containing an introduction (with literature review), objective, proposed methods, and anticipated outcomes of the work. The methods section must explain clearly the sampling procedure, expected data analysis, as well as project schedule and duration. A proposed budget should also be included. Proposals must include summer and fall addresses, phone numbers, and email address.

Click on Cofrin Research Grants to access the application form and proposal guidelines. A list of past projects and ideas for several new projects is also available below.

Highlights from Previous Years

Suggested Projects

These are a few suggestions from our faculty, but other proposal topics are welcome. Contact individual faculty members for many more ideas.

Cofrin Arboretum / UW-Green Bay campus / Point au Sauble

  1. Mapping and description of the Silurian Escarpment on Campus: Extent of the former (large) quarry on campus (John. Luczaj)
  2. Mapping and description of the Silurian Escarpment on Campus: Determine why the cedars on campus appear to only grow within this old quarry (John Luzcaj)
  3. Mapping and description of the Silurian Escarpment on Campus: Estimate the age of the quarrying operations, based upon the tree growth in the quarry and on tailings piles (John Luzcaj)
  4. Mapping and description of the Silurian Escarpment on Campus: Examine any available historical documents that describe quarrying along the escarpment, especially on campus (aerial photos, etc.) (John Luzcaj)
  5. Mapping and description of the Silurian Escarpment on Campus: For an earth science student, describe the sedimentology and stratigraphy of the rocks on campus and develop information that can be put on the Biodiversity Center's website. (John Luzcaj)
  6. Mutualism/commensalism at ant nests (animals that benefit from ant nests) (Michael Draney)
  7. Historical Modification of the Silurian Escarpment on the UW-Green Bay Campus and its effects on plant species. (John Luzcaj, Matt Dornbush)
  8. Analysis of plant diversity and species composition at experimental succession plots (Matt Dornbush)
  9. Vegetation or insect diversity at burned vs. unburned prairie plots (Michael Draney)
  10. Investigation and mapping of Zebra & Quagga mussel deposits on the Green Bay and Lake Michigan shorelines to determine sedimentary processes and deposition rates.
  11. Experimental analysis of beach communities along bay shore (Amy Wolf)
  12. Use of fruiting shrubs by birds and mammals in the Cofrin Arboretum (Bob Howe)
  13. A microclimate survey of the arboretum/campus. (Dr. Meyer)
  14. Seasonal (summer) variation in leaf area index in burned vs. unburned prairie plots. (Matt Dornbush)
  15. Nesting success of Clay-colored Sparrows on UWGB campus (Bob Howe)
  16. Use of abandoned woodchuck burrows by other animals (Bob Howe)
  17. Insect colonization and use of coneflowers at Keith White Prairie (established 20+ years ago) vs. Shorewood savannah planting (2 yrs old) (Amy Wolf)
  18. Inventory of arthropods from pitfall traps in Cofrin Arboretum (Michael Draney)
  19. Experimental study of “ballooning” by spiders (Michael Draney)
  20. Water quality of Mahon Creek and tributaries (Dr. Fermanich)
  21. Land use and watershed impacts on Mahon Creek (Dr. Fermanich)
  22. Flora and fauna of the Hutchison Bog (Gary Fewless)
  23. Investigation of Slug Populations on the Cofrin Arboretum (Michael Draney, Dornbush)
  24. Investigations of salamander or frog populations in arboretum and other natural areas (Dan Meinhardt)
  25. Invasive species investigations

Toft Point / Peninsula Sanctuary

  1. Small mammal survey of Toft Point Natural Area (Bob Howe)
  2. Experimental study of damage to shoreline vegetation by hikers (Gary Fewless)
  3. Seed banks of roadside vs. control plots at Toft Point (Amy Wolf)
  4. Winter birds at the Toft Point Natural Area (Bob Howe)
  5. Survey of breeding fishes in Pickerel Pond and shoreline wetlands (Bob Howe)
  6. Comparison of plant germination at fallen logs vs control plots (Amy Wolf)
  7. Assessment/mapping of browse damage at Toft Point and Peninsula Sanctuary (Bob Howe)
 

Biodiversity Topics: Introduction . Plants . Animals . Mammals . Birds . Reptiles & Amphibians . Arthropods . Spiders . Insects

© 2001-2004 The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, All Rights Reserved
Last updated on January 12, 2006