Just like winter, art can be mysterious, enchanting, fun, challenging, illuminating. That’s a big reason why we ally with artists and welcome their skills, talent, reflection and creativity to our more than 10,000 forested acres surrounded by lakes. No matter their medium, artists challenge science, analyze and translate research discoveries in eye-opening ways, and enhance environmental consciousness to inspire others to explore and take action to protect our natural world.
For seven years, the University of Michigan Biological Station’s Artist in Residence program has supported the stays of so many curious, generous artists who care deeply about the interconnectedness of ecosystems and communicating changes that threaten habitats and species.
In this first newsletter of the new year, we give you a taste of some — but by no means all — of the incredible place-based artwork. In our feature story, read a poem ("From Beginning to End Takes Us Back Again"), learn through photography about historic UMBS research at the Burn Plots, and listen to a 30-minute, sound-rich podcast (including the voice of former associate director Mark Paddock, who died last year, several months after his recorded interview).
Do you know any artists? We are accepting applications for our 2025 artist residency. Share the information with your networks and further strengthen our bridge between science and the humanities.
In addition to celebrating artists, this month we want to shine a spotlight on the Stewards — mostly retirees who live near UMBS — who volunteer their time and energy on property management projects to ensure the public can safely access hiking trails and connect with nature at the field station. Read all about the generous crew of neighbors and friends who have rolled up their sleeves for more than 20 years. Their stories are hilarious and heart-warming! In the future, we want to expand the scope of the Stewards to include research. Stay tuned for developments on that.
We are busy recruiting students and researchers for the 2025 field season.
I am proud to announce that with support from a grant UMBS is fully funding our summer camp for children of researchers, students and staff living at the Douglas Lake campus with their families this summer. Thank you to UMBS Associate Director Karie Slavik for spearheading the effort to a secure a grant to support our Nature Day Camp, which debuted with great success last year. We are committed to helping our UMBS community and their families have successful summers of work and fun.
This year we are increasing the number of undergraduate student research fellowships we offer. Returning are the CLEAR Fellowship (aquatic ecology research and advocacy) and Bach-Hazlett Fellowship (ecology and behavior research). Plus, we are launching the new UMBS Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship Program, which is a fully supported research experience that includes a $5,500 stipend, on-campus housing, meals and — if desired early in a students’ career — tuition to take a summer term course at UMBS. We have mentors that span a wide range of topics including:
- Disturbance forest ecology and carbon sequestration;
- Disease ecology;
- Evolution of trees;
- Ecology of bracken fern;
- Forest ecosystem function and stability;
- Community ecology and assembly in pitcher plants;
- Microbial ecology and global climate change;
- Wild rice restoration; and
- Climate change, grasshopper herbivory and spider predation.
To learn more about our array of student research fellowships, mentors and how to apply, visit the UMBS Student Research Opportunities website. The deadlines range from Feb. 15 to March 15, depending on the specific fellowship. These fellowships are open to undergraduate students from all universities and colleges.
Please share with your networks that we’re hosting a virtual Information Session on Zoom at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. Registration is required in advance. Student Ambassadors, recent alumni and staff will introduce prospective students to the historic field station and their experiences here, as well as answer questions about course credits, scholarships and hands-on research opportunities.
Research activity continues along Douglas Lake. Right now we have 13 inches of snow on the ground. Plus, we've welcomed visiting groups. In the photo gallery near the end of this newsletter are some photos from Adventure Leadership’s recent training weekend at UMBS — including cold weather wilderness medicine procedures, pictured here — as they prepare to lead upcoming dogsled weekends and ice climbing events across the state.
Stay warm and let me know if you have a good book recommendation. I’m enjoying Naajimiijimedaa! (Let’s Find Food!) by Kathy Kae. It’s an introduction to foraging and features stories and family recipes from the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The book makes it easy to understand how to harvest, process, prepare and store 40 different foods such as berries, leeks, mushrooms and wild rice.
Read the full January 2025 newsletter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aimée Classen
UMBS Director
