Providence College

Environmental Conservation

Research Grants

The following proposals were selected and funded. All include experiential involvement of students.

The Eye of the Southern Rhode Island Squid and How Squid See, Joseph A DeGiorgis, PhD
Surveying Southeastern New England for a Rare Butterfly, Frosted Elphin (Callophrys Irus) Rachael E. Bonoan, PhD
Effects of temperature on two intertidal predators: How rising ocean temperatures will affect the ecology of the Southern New England rocky intertidal, Patrick J. Ewanchuk, PhD

Environment Biology Internship Program

Four students received SNEC support this year to pursue internships at:

  • Two interns worked on a research project with Dr. Costello of the PC Biology department.
  • Reptile and Earth Education Department at Southwick’s Zoo, Southwick, MA.
  • Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in North Chatham, MA.

Mitchell College

Environmental Science

Research Grants

The following proposal was selected and funded. It included experiential involvement of students.

Marine Invasive Species Research, Tricellaria inopinata, with Research Assistant, Christine Ramsay, PhD

Equipment Grant

A grant was awarded for the Equipment Upgrades to the Life Sciences Aquarium Room. The upgrades included a Tank System (180-gallon Fiberglass tank, self-priming pump [2], biological media filter, tank accessories – piping, lights, stand materials), Lab Storage, and Additional Lab Equipment such as deionizing water system and carts.

Salve Regina University

Cultural and Historic Preservation

Grills Scholarship Fund

In keeping with the SNEC focus on preservation, the Grills Scholarship Fund was created to support sophomore, junior and/or senior level students who display passion and promise for their chosen field and for whom financial aid is critical to the pursuit of their education. Students must be declared majors in one of the following academic programs:

  • Cultural and historic preservation (CHP)
  • History
  • American Studies

Westerly Land Trust

Install Composting Toilet at Grills Preserve Project

SNEC called for applications from college students, and their faculty partners, to work with the Westerly Land Trust (WLT) as interns to help create an economical and environmentally low-impact solution to provide a handicap accessible restroom at the Grills Preserve in Westerly, RI. The Westerly Land Trust was the director of a grant for the restroom facility and the host school, Salve Regina University, administered the grant for the student intern and faculty. The restroom was completed during the summer and now allows primary and secondary aged student groups to attend programs at and themselves utilize the Grills Preserve.

SRU student Grace Vargo-Willeford, WLT Intern
The Composting Toilet at the Grills Preserve
(L to R) Prof. Jeroen van den Hurk, Prof. Jameson Chase, Grace Vargo-Willeford, and Prof. Laura O’Toole. (All photos by SNEC)