Canopy Restoration Research

Summer Internship 

Caitlin Barilleaux, an upcoming senior majoring in biology and statistics at the University of Cincinnati, is spending her summer break learning and collecting important data for Blandy as part of the Native Plant and Ecological Restoration Internship.

Caitlin is working on an important project to measure the effectiveness of Blandy’s efforts at reforestation in the Canopy Restoration area. This area was dominated by invasive trees such as buckthorn and autumn olive, but over the past five years, Blandy has been experimenting with different methods of removing the invasives and re-establishing native trees in the area. With the area now planted with white pine, tulip poplar, white oak, red bud, black cherry, persimmon, and more. Caitlin collects data on the native tree survivorship, measuring the growth of the native trees, identifying which trees are growing well, and documenting what’s growing between the trees. “I am learning a lot about species identification,” she said.

While contributing to important research for future canopy efforts in the area, Caitlin has also spent some meaningful time working with volunteers at Blandy, maintaining the garden and native plant trial during the busiest time of year. “The volunteers are amazing, and so fun to talk with. They are very passionate about their work,’’ she said.

After completing her undergraduate degree next year, Caitlin plans to take some of what she’s learned at Blandy to pursue a graduate degree in plant conservation.