NW Valley Times

Students at Grand Canyon University recently showcased their innovative projects in the field of natural sciences at the Biological and Environmental Sciences Capstone Showcase. Elisabeth Bruce and her team presented their project focusing on analyzing sites where wild horses congregate along the lower Salt and Gila rivers. Bruce explained, "We were trying to locate where they would congregate along the rivers."

The goal of the project was to assist the Bureau of Land Management in managing the wild horse population in Arizona, where a lack of natural predators has led to unsustainable levels. By identifying high-likelihood horse congregation sites through environmental quality and vegetation surveys, the team aims to help the BLM allocate resources more effectively. Bruce emphasized the importance of tracking the horses based on their interactions with the environment.

Another team presented a project aimed at selecting optimal seed collection sites for the Lower Salt River Restoration Project, in collaboration with Ecoculture. Savannah Foy described the team's efforts to revive the river's ecosystem health after a devastating wildfire in 2017. Foy highlighted the importance of their research in identifying the best sites for seed collection to restore native plant species like Goodding's and coyote willows.

In a separate project, students partnered with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center to address the issue of common house mice posing a threat to resident animals and staff. Joshua Eager shared the team's experience in implementing measures to reduce the mice presence, including installing barriers and elevating food troughs. Eager expressed optimism about the project's progress, despite some unexpected challenges with the javelinas interacting with the food bowls.

The capstone projects not only provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study but also offer practical solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Through collaborations with organizations like the BLM and Ecoculture, students have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on conservation efforts. The showcase event demonstrated the dedication and innovation of the students in addressing pressing environmental issues.

Overall, the Biological and Environmental Sciences Capstone Showcase at Grand Canyon University highlighted the importance of experiential learning and collaboration in the field of natural sciences, showcasing the students' commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.