Utah State University graduate student Nate Hough-Snee has received a two-year, $84,000 U.S. EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship to study riparian ecosystems in the American West. With extensive datasets from agencies like NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey, he aims to analyze the impacts of climate change on these ecosystems across six states. Hough-Snee posits critical questions about the condition and services of riparian plant communities.
He has worked on projects monitoring fish habitats for endangered species, collaborating with other scientists and agencies. In addition to examining management practices and environmental impacts, he is exploring using beavers for river restoration in northern Utah, addressing issues caused by stream degradation. Hough-Snee also helps organize the 2014 Restoring the West Conference, providing a platform for student research exchange.
For more details, interested participants can find information on early registration for the conference.
