Green Heart in The Field With Botany In Action
Mission: The Botany In Action Fellowship develops new, science-based plant knowledge and chronicles traditional knowledge of plants for use in growing a greener world. Botany In Action (BIA) promotes interactive scientific education about the importance of plants, biodiversity, and sustainable landscapes for human well-being.
The BIA Fellowship program at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens fosters the development of a next generation of plant-based scientists who are committed, first, to excellent research and, second, to educational outreach. Phipps' BIA program not only provides grants to emerging U.S. scientists carrying out plant-based research around the globe, but also offers training and opportunities for them in science communication and outreach to the public.
Since its inception, BIA has supported 40 PhD students from 19 universities, conducting research in 22 countries and engaging in outreach worldwide. Current BIA Fellows are engaged in research in locales from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Illinois to Nepal, Thailand, India, and Brazil. Their work covers topics ranging from the role of green roofs in urban biodiversity and the effects of plant invasion on a rare woodland butterfly to identification of plants used by healers for treatment of dementia.
BIA Fellows' accomplishments, in addition to serving society and the environment as practicing scientists, include research featured in The New York Times, published books for the popular press, and engagement in outreach at an array of public venues.
Visit PhippsBotanyInAction.org to learn about current and previously supported BIA Fellows, mentors and science advisors, and news and events.
How It Works
Open to PhD students enrolled at US graduate institutions and conducting plant-based scientific field research, the BIA program provides each Fellow with:
- $5,000 for use towards field research and related expenses at sites in the US or abroad (including expenses for travel, food, housing, laboratory supplies, and to return research findings to the research host community),
- an all-expenses paid trip to Phipps in Pittsburgh, PA, to engage in science outreach training and opportunities to translate and communicate his or her research to non-scientific, public audiences through written, visual, oral and/or multimedia means, and
- subsequent opportunities to communicate his or her research to public audiences through Phipps classes, programs, newsletters, exhibits onsite and online, and other outreach venues.
Supported work must address the following plant-based scientific field research priorities (listed in no particular order):
- Ethnobotany, with special interest in medicinal plants;,
- Diversity and conservation, particularly in regional (southwest Pennsylvania and tri-state area) and tropical forests;
- Landscape and brownfield restoration, particularly in plant-based ecosystem services;
- Sustainable landscapes.
Applying for a Botany in Action Fellowship
Phipps is currently accepting proposals for its 2012 BIA Fellows program. All proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on January 18, 2013.
While applications are accepted for research in the four priority areas listed above, for 2013, special consideration will be given to research in the following areas (listed in no particular order):
- Ethnobotany and/or plant-based conservation in central Africa;
- Plant-based ecosystem services for landscape and brownfield restoration;
- Sustainable landscapes in the US, particularly applicable to the southwest Pennsylvania and tri-state area.
Support Botany in Action
Botany in Action proves that individuals can make a world of difference. Please consider supporting this global research and conservation effort.
Contact Greg DuFour at 412-441-4442 Ext. 3701 or gdufour@phipps.conservatory.org to learn how your contribution can support this important work.
