- Advisors
- Sara Souther , Clare Aslan
- Programs
- Seeking
- One student (MS or PhD)
- Contact
- sara.souther@nau.edu
- To apply
- Email Dr. Souther by November 1; program applications are due January 1.
Culturally informed restoration of Madrean oak woodlands
Funding: Emory Oak Collaborative Tribal Restoration Initiative (EOCTRI) Fellowship Duration: 2-year project (MS) or 4-year project (PhD) Start date: Fall 2027
Project overview
Changing environmental conditions threaten ecological function and cultural practices linked to Southwestern landscapes. To address this, the Lab of Conservation Ecology at NAU is recruiting graduate students (MS or PhD) to join our work on Emory oak (Quercus emoryi), a foundational species and culturally significant tree of Madrean oak woodlands.
The student will work with the Emory Oak Collaborative Tribal Restoration Initiative (EOCTRI), a long-term partnership between Western Apache Nations, land managers, and NAU, aimed at conserving and restoring Madrean oak habitat to preserve the tradition of Apache acorn harvest in the Southwest, and will contribute to the NSF DISES project (#2206810) focused on linking oak population dynamics to Indigenous land stewardship, drought, and fire.
Your role
You will help lead a new phase of data collection and analysis aimed at:
- Managing the demographic census of Emory oak across Arizona
- Supporting the coordination of EOCTRI treatment monitoring
- Assessing the effectiveness of restoration practices aimed at bolstering ecological function across heterogeneous landscapes
The ideal candidate
- Interest in applied ecology aimed at generating data-driven management guidance
- Demonstrated experience in fieldwork
- Commitment to working with diverse populations and community partners
- Desire to learn data analysis and interpretation
- Self-reliance and independence
- Excellent writing skills
How to apply
Formal applications to the School of Earth and Sustainability (MS in Environmental Science & Policy; PhD in Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability) are due January 1. To apply to this opportunity, email Dr. Souther (sara.souther@nau.edu) by November 1 with your CV, a writing sample, and a brief statement of why the project appeals to you. She will interview strong, qualified applicants and encourage the top candidates to submit a formal program application.