2010 Graduate Laerm Award Winners
The recipient of the 2010 Joshua Laerm Academic Support Award for Graduate Students is Paige Barlow. Paige is conducting her research under the direction of Dr. Jeff Hepinstall-Cymerman, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Paige is investigating the effects of land use on birds in Macon County, North Carolina. The high rate of amenity-driven development in this county is threatening the rural culture and rich biodiversity of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot. The objectives of her study are to collect data on the presence and absence of birds in the county, relate these to land use and land cover, and work with stakeholders to develop guidelines that meet both human and wildlife objectives. Her work will involve stakeholders in order to increase the public's understanding of and confidence in the research to encourage local support of the land use recommendations.