Cook Grants support student research
By Ben Aughenbaugh '99
Reprinted from the Boynton Society Newsletter, a publication for supporters of Björklunden vid Sjön.
I spent much of the winter of 1997-98 attempting to arrange some sort of employment for the following summer. I had numerous seasonal job opportunities, including work as a lifeguard, waiter, or lab assistant, but none of them seemed to be the right fit for my experience and my interest in the outdoors. Fortunately, my faculty advisor, Professor of Biology Nick Maravolo, suggested that I apply for Lawrence's new Chester and Joan Cook Fund for Summer Research at Björklunden, a grant program made possible by a gift from Lawrence alumni Chester and Joan Cook, both Class of 1943. Cook Grants are offered to candidates in the fields of biology, geology, and anthropology who submit proposals for research in their respective areas of interest.
Having a particular interest in plant ecology, I crafted my proposal to encompass my interest in assessing the ground flora of Björklunden. Specifically, I sought to uncover the distribution of moss species in relation to local environmental variables. Many visitors to Björklunden might not realize that it offers a unique habitat to study these plants. Nestled on the shore of Lake Michigan, the property undergoes different climatic variances than inland areas at the same latitude. Also, other studies regarding higher vascular plants had been researched in previous years, but no one had documented the nature of the diminutive mosses. This is what prompted my proposal entitled "An Investigation of the Role of Substrate, Moisture, and Light on the Spatial Distribution of Mosses in the Björklunden Forest."
In order to understand the influence of particular environmental factors and their effect on these inconspicuous plants, I spent a great amount of time on my knees counting every tuft and collecting other pertinent date. While this may seem tedious, the forest kept me alert and refreshed, whether it was the desiccation of spring trilliums, the sweet aroma of creeping junipers, or the tart fruit of the thimbleberry.
Not all was academic during my stay. In the late afternoons, Ben Meyer, a fellow Lawrence student and summer lodge employee; Sheddy, chef Steve Martin's dog; and I would take a break from our work and run the wonderful trail system weaving throughout the property. Afterwards, a jump in the lake seemed all too inviting. With the proximity of Ridges Sanctuary, other free time was spent meandering through the old shorelines and swales of the reserve. Lastly, I usually had a good book from the lodge library in progress; the blue lawn chairs and lapping waves provide a perfect setting to immerse yourself in a book.
One of the best aspects of my stay was the genuine interest the guests took in my research. Being the kind of people who attend the Björklunden Seminars, their desire to learn new things was already proven. Talking about my research, I helped provide them with an appreciation for something they may have never known about. In turn, the guests told me a wonderful array of personal stories, both past and present. Progressing late into the evenings, the interaction between guests and myself kept conversation exciting.
While working in the forests of Björklunden, good friends and fun made my experience unforgettable. Now, processing and analyzing the collected data, I will be assembling the material in submission for honors. Although a biology laboratory on campus does not hold any of the splendors of Björklunden, fond memories often surface as I review my data. For me, the Cook Fund for Summer Research has proven to be an incredible blend of work and play, making for a rewarding and educational work experience in a perfect setting for learning.