Scholarship and Grant Committee

 

    I want to take this opportunity on behalf of KSNH to thank you and Eastern Kentucky Power for  continued generous support of our mutual goals and missions.  Since 1998, your financial support has made possible the following grants and donations: 

  1. Graduate Grants:

Kim Feeman – 1999, Morehead State University
“A Floristic Survey of the “Tablelands”
A natural Region in the northeastern section of the Knobs of Kentucky
$500.00 

Christopher Adams – 2000, University of Kentucky
"Comparing the autecology of three Aristolochia (Dutchman’s pipe) species, with particular emphasis on seed dormancy and germination characteristics”
$464.80 

Patrick Crumrine – 2000, University of Kentucky
“Documentation of cannibalism in Odonata, investigating the impacts that cannibalism has on community composition namely the prey of cannibals
in families of dragonflies”
$520.50 

Brad Dickey – 2000, University of Kentucky
“A comparison of hormone levels and aggression in several species of  Kentucky Crayfish”
$986.80

Tracy Hawkins – 2000, University of Kentucky 
“Contributions to the autecology of selected Apiaceae (carrot family) of Eastern North America – with special references to energy allocation”
$795.60

 Our 2002 Grants went to:         

Jessie Ballowe, University of Louisville – Jessie Ballowe’s research is entitled “Trophic Relationships of Troglophilic Banded Sculpin and other Epigean Fishes”. 

 

Amanda Rainwater-Bradshaw, Eastern Kentucky University – Amanda’s research is entitled “Delineation of Biotic and Abiotic Factors Related to Mussel Community Structure in Sinking Creek, Upper Cumberland River System”. 

 

Tracy Kathryn Jubenville, Eastern Kentucky University – Tracy’s research is entitled “Biodiversity Survey of the Crayfishes of the Upper Cumberland River Drainage in Eastern Kentucky”. 

 

Deanne L. Swartley, Eastern Kentucky University – Deanne’s research is entitled “Status of and Pond Selection by Rana palustris and Rana pipiens in the Kentucky Bluegrass”. 

 

Zacchaeus Compson, Western Kentucky University – Zacchaeus’ research is entitled “An Examination of Trophic Interactions in Springs of Mammoth Cave Using Stable Isotope Ratios”. 

 

2003 Grants went to:

Tamara Sluss, University of Louisville – Tamara’s research will concentrate on zooplankton life cycles in the Ohio River.   

Christopher Distel, Eastern Kentucky University -  Chris has proposed a two-fold study.  First, a complete and current species list will be compiled for the aquatic turtles on the Blue Grass Army Depot and the Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area.  Second, this survey will assess the aquatic turtle communities on restricted and public land to compare community and habitat characteristics.  These data will be used to establish ecological parameters of aquatic turtle communities in Eastern Kentucky.

2004 Grants went to:

Catherine J. Byers, University of Louisville
Catherine’s research is broadly aimed at amphibian conservation. Her current work involves examining how land use and reserve design affects species richness and abundance, especially of Kentucky’s stream salamanders.

Darren Proppe, Eastern Kentucky University
Darren’s research involves an examination of the use and possible functions of two song types used by male Grasshopper Sparrows.  He will focus on possible relationships between reproductive success and various habitat variables in the Bluegrass Region of
Kentucky.

Tara Trammel, University of Louisville
Tara’s research involves creating one of the first urban biotype maps in the United States which hopefully will provide a strong basis for linking urban spatial patterns to the ecological processes
in the Louisville area. These spatial relationships are critically important for the continuance of wildlife movement.

Our 2005 Grants:
From Eastern Kentucky University: 

 Sarah Asher is conducting research on “Dietary Relationships within a Southeastern Kentucky Bat Community”.

 Jennifer K. Morse is conducting research on “Vocal Behavior and Possible Functions of the “Klee” Call of the American Kestrels (Falco saparverius)”.

 Nicholas R. Peterson is conducting research on “Territory Size, Use, and Breeding Biology of Loggerhead Shrikes in Central Kentucky”. 

            From the University of Louisville: 

 Christopher T. Owen is conducting research on “ In Vitro Culture of Glochidia of Several Threatened and Endangered Freshwater Mussels: Prospects of Metamorphosis without a Parasitic Host”.

 Piper Lee Thomas is conducting research on “Amphibian Colonization of Restored Streams:  Gauging the Success of Restoration Projects”.

Congratulations to all three graduate grant recipients; and a special thank you to
Joe Settles and Jeff Hohman for initiating funding and their continual support of KSNH.
 

  1. Kentucky Nature Posters/Frog Loggers:

                 May 20, 1998            -  $500.00
                November 8, 1998    -  $500.00
                November 11, 1999  -  $500.00
                January 25, 2001       -  $500.00
                February 14, 2002     -  $500.00 

  1. Pledge to University of Kentucky Press towards the publication of Dr. Thomas Barnes’ new book on the wildflowers of Kentucky.  The anticipated payment of $2000.00  was given in early 2003.
  1. Donation to the Louisville Nature Center – Nature activities for inner city students. Up to $1000.00 allocated by KSNH  Board of Directors of which $500.00 has been paid. The remaining $500.00 due upon request.
  1. Room and board for up to four biology students from Cumberland College to attend the Spring Conference of  KSNH at Cumberland Falls, April, 2002.
    Approximately $300.00.
  1. KSNH publicity and publication expenses.  Approximately $250.00.


KSNH RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS – 2006-2007

KSNH is privileged to announce the following recipients of our 2006 grants:

Robert Johnson – Woody Boebinger Memorial Scholarship ($750) - Robbie is a University Fellow in the Department of Biology at the University of Louisville. His proposal is “Consumer Resource Stoichiometry of Stream Invertebrate Communities Along an Impervious Surface Gradient in the Louisville Metro Area”. Simply put, he is studying the balance of multiple nutritional chemical substances in ecological interactions and processes. Our congratulations and best of luck to Robbie; and thanks again to the Woody Boebinger family.

KSNH Research Grants: 2007
Robert Johnson ($750) – University of Louisville – Robbie also applied for and received one of our other KSNH grants. This particular research is a continuation of, and a combination with, his nutritional analysis. It is entitled “Stream Macro invertebrate Community Structure and Secondary Production in Local Streams of the Louisville Metro Area”. Best wishes to Robbie with both research proposals.

Sara Cilles – University of Kentucky ($585) – The title of Sara’s research is “Impacts of Mammalian Herbivores on Tree Regeneration and Growth in a Blue Ash – Oak Savannah-Woodland” (Griffith Woods).

Michelle Lynn Carder – Eastern Kentucky University ($750) – The title of Michelle’s research is “Eastern Phoebes Tailwagging Displays, Functions, Contexts, and Conflicts” (Blue Grass Army Depot).

Jason Peter Ritzert – Eastern Kentucky University ($750) – The title of Jason’s research is “Natural History and Crevice Characteristics of Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus) in Red River Gorge, Kentucky”.

The Bernadine Meyer Memorial Scholarship grant in the amount of $800 goes to Christopher T. Owen, a doctorial candidate at the University of Louisville. Chris is a second time recipient of a KSNH grant having been awarded one of our grants in 2005, as a master degree student. Chris is working on the culturing of freshwater mussels. His work is quite complex, but has great potential as a method to rear endangered and imperiled mussels for reintroduction recovery. Chris will be giving a brief synopsis of his research at the KSNH Falls of the Ohio Chapter meeting on September 20th, 7:00 p.m. at the Louisville Nature Center.

The Woody Boebinger Memorial Scholarship grant in the amount of $700 goes to Meghan Langley, another doctorial candidate at the University of Louisville. Meghan is studying the “Distributional Patterns and Plant Diversity of Urban Wetlands in Jefferson County, Kentucky.” She hopes her research will help fill in critical holes about wetlands in Jefferson County and inspire local residents to pay more attention to these valuable natural resources.

KSNH Research Grants were also awarded to the following masters research students at Eastern Kentucky University:

Kacie Tackett received $750 towards her research studies of “Disturbance History and Climatic Response of Two-mixed Mesophytic Forests in the Cumberland Plateau.”

Christine Lattin received $500 towards her research studies of the “Intra and Intersexual Functions of Singing by Male Blue Grosbeaks and the Role of Within-song variation.”

Lindsay Rohrbaugh received $500 towards her research on the “Analysis of the Effects of Pond Size on Physicochemical Habitat Characteristics of Ponds Inhabited by Aquatic Turtles in Fayette and Madison Counties, Kentucky.”

The 2008 Grants were awarded as follows:

KSNH Research Grants were also awarded to the following master’s research students at Eastern Kentucky University:

*Julie Clark received $450 toward her research entitled “Vascular Flora at

Breaks Interstate Park”.

*Michelle Guidugli received $450 toward her research entitled “Orientation and

Timing Patterns of Ephemeral Pond-Breeding Amphibians”.

*Adrienne Cooper received $450 toward her research on “Discovering Lost

Patches of Previously Unknown Old-growth Forests Across Eastern Kentucky”.

KSNH Research Grants were awarded to the following research students at the University of Kentucky:

*Anna Thomas, a masters candidate received $450 toward her research entitled

“Faunistic Survey of Native and Invasive Slugs in Kentucky using

Morphological and Molecular Techniques”.

*Tim Sesterhenn, a doctorial candidate received $450 towards his research

entitled “Impacts of Non-lethal Injury on the Damselfly (Ischnura posita)”.

KSNH Research Grants were awarded to the following research students at the University of Louisville:

*Tyler Kilgore, an undergraduate biology major, received $450 toward his

research entitled “In Situ Growth Experiments of Isopods Along an

Urbanization Gradient in Louisville, Kentucky”.

*Rodney Jonathan White, a doctorial candidate received $450 toward his

research entitled “Riparian Soil Functions Along an Urban-rural and

Groundwater Depth Gradient and Potential Impacts on Stream water Quality”.

2009 NATURAL HISTORY/BIODIVERSITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

Woody Boebinger Memorial Scholarship

Allison Smith -University of Louisville

Allison will receive $750 to help with her research “Effects of Climate Warming on Aquatic Invasive Species and Zooplankton Competition”

Bernadine Meyer Memorial Scholarship

Meghan Langley -University of Louisville

Meghan will receive $800 to help with her research “Urbanization Effects of Hydrology of Depressional Forested Wetland and Woody Plant Community Patterns”

KSNH Grants

The following students will receive $500 each to help with their continued research:

Jann Fry - University of Kentucky

“An Ecological Study of Nine Grass Species Native to the Bluegrass Blue Ash-Oak Savannah”

Daniel Douglas - Eastern Kentucky University

“Land Snail Species Diversity and Composition Among Different Forest Disturbance Regimes in Central and Eastern Kentucky Forests”

Andrea Drayer - Eastern Kentucky University

“Natural vs. Artificial Ponds: Amphibian Fitness Correlate Comparison (Size at Metamorphosis)”

Special KSNH Grant in Memory of Long-time Member Mrs. Terry Boice

Michelle Staley - Morehead State University

Michelle Staley will receive $500, in memory of Terry Boice, for her research: “Assessment of Carabid Beetles in Various Seed Mixture Plantings Along a Disturbance Corridor in Lawrence County, Kentucky”

 

 

 

Because of your support, KSNH projects such as these have been made possible and KSNH name recognition has reached new heights throughout Kentucky. Our mission will continue to be the promotion and support of natural history/biodiversity projects, which contribute to the overall knowledge of Kentucky’s rich biodiversity. 

 In the past we have had limited responses from potential candidates for grants and scholarships.  We believe this happens in part from the information never reaching a main contact person at each university or college in Kentucky. 

 If you know of reliable research contacts at the university level, please forward their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses, etc. to me via email waldon.roberts@bellsouth.net.  Your help would be greatly appreciated in this endeavor.