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BIDDEFORD, Maine

SWAG视频 Environmental Science students featured in American Chestnut Foundation publication

SWAG视频 Department of Environmental Studies alumni Sarah Fleishmann, Kati Hein, Christina Barton and Kat Santarpio
SWAG视频 Department of Environmental Studies alumni Sarah Fleishmann, Kati Hein, Christina Barton and Kat Santarpio with hybrid American chestnut trees they grew from seed in the SWAG视频 Greenhouse.

Chestnut, the journal of the American Chestnut Foundation has highlighted the work of four SWAG视频 Environmental Science students working to restore this tree in Maine. The students鈥 efforts are part of a series of field experiments across Maine to assist in large-scale regrowth of the species throughout its former range. The American chestnut (Castenea dentata) is classified as a tree of special concern in Maine due to the devastating effects of a blight fungus accidentally imported to the east coast more than 100 years ago.

The students planted American chestnut seeds and saplings as a hands-on lab activity with Thomas Klak, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Environmental Studies. Using restoration questions identified by the American Chestnut Foundation, the students designed the field trials, selected planting locations, organized an Earth Day event and concluded their project with data collection and study documentation.

Discussing her work on the project, Sarah Fleischmann, B.A. 鈥16 (Environmental Studies) said, 鈥淲e are trying to leave a legacy at SWAG视频 involving students, faculty and the campus community. This project is a true culmination of what I鈥檝e learned on this campus -- the restoration of an important species, and working with important individuals from a variety of different fields and disciplines.鈥

Read the article. 

 

To learn more about the SWAG视频鈥檚 Department of Environmental Studies, visit www.une.edu/cas/envstudies

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

 

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