Conservation & Ecological RestorationNicole Holmes
2023 The Garden Club of America Fellowship in Ecological Restoration
Indigenous Participation in Ecosystem Restoration: An Analysis of the Chesapeake Bay
Holmes will study the relationship and involvement of Native American voices in Chesapeake Bay restoration. Researching First Nations, their oral traditions, their experiential teaching style of traditional ways, and the beneficial role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Holmes will highlight the importance of indigenous voices in the planning and evaluation of alternative actions in ecosystem management. The project aims to improve flow of information between relevant stakeholders and increase indigenous leadership representation and involvement in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.
The Garden Club of America Fellowship in Ecological Restoration
The Garden Club of America (the GCA) offers an annual Fellowship in Ecological Restoration. Established in 2000 with funds from the John B. Young Charitable Trust as well as GCA members and clubs, the fellowship’s goal is to support research that will advance knowledge and increase the number of scientists in the important field of ecological restoration, the active healing of the land. The $8,000 grant is awarded annually to exceptional graduate students to support specialized study in ecological restoration at an accredited U.S. university. Preference will be given to projects that include field research conducted in the United States. A panel of experts associated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the GCA Scholarship Committee.
For the purposes of this scholarship, The Garden Club of America agrees to the definition of ecological restoration as stated by the Society of Ecological Restoration (SER).