Featured Awards – December 2013

Kirsten Monsen (Biology & Molecular Biology, CSAM) and Paola Dolcemascolo (Graduate Student) were awarded $3,410 by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection for “Colonization Genetics of the American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea): Evidence for a Recent Range Expansion into New Jersey.” By using DNA extracted from museum specimens gathered throughout the range of H. cinerea, this study proposes to gather data on the genetic characteristics of the species to more carefully understand the nature of the range expansion into New Jersey. This would be beneficial to monitoring efforts in New Jersey regarding this species in particular. It could also prove extremely useful in understanding range expansions in general.

Meiyin Wu (Biology & Molecular Biology, CSAM) and Kelly Triece (Graduate Student) were awarded a $3,500 grant for “Improving Permeability of Wildlife Habitats in New Jersey through Culvert and Landscape Assessment” from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. The proposed project aims to collect essential data to prioritize wildlife crossing hotspots for future mitigation planning. Study sites were selected with special attention to area observed with endangered and/or threaten species and/or species of special concern. The ultimate goal of this project is to reduce wildlife road mortality and to improve wildlife permeability in the state of New Jersey.
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection also awarded Meiyin Wu (Biology & Molecular Biology, CSAM) and Kelly Triece and Natalie Sherwood (Graduate Students) $3,500 for “Environmental Education: Wildlife Habitat Permeability on an Urban Landscape.” This proposed project aims to promote environmental awareness of local communities on impacts of urbanization on wildlife populations and the importance of restoring wildlife habitat permeability on urban landscape. Outreach materials will be created to promote and stimulate environmental awareness. The environmental education training will take place in Somerset, Morris, Sussex, Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Warren Counties. Special emphasis will be given to towns and cities house selected transects.