Jessie Wiese | GK12

Jessie Wiese

Mon, 2008-09-15 08:56 — jessie.wiese

Department Land Resources and Environmental Sciences Degree Masters Email jessie_wiese@hotmail.com Personal Web Page
Sacajawea Middle School Teacher Partner LeAnne Yenny Fellowship Year 2008
Research My research is catered to restoration biology, and emerging science that is just beginning to be taught in the classrooms and to the general public. I am currently conducting research on best management practices for seed production of native wildflowers used in restoration. As plant ecologists continue to understand how species diversity influences the resilience and resistance of ecosystems to environmental change, the demand for production of a diverse range of native plants is increasing. Establishing native forbs at restoration sites is crucial for invasive plant management and plant community restoration. However, inadequate and costly seed supplies and inconsistent establishment have limited the use of native forb species in these projects. The goal of my current research is to evaluate the effectiveness of different weed management practices on the establishment, growth, and seed production of five native wildflower species. The study has four components: 1.) an evaluation of the effect of an array of management scenarios on native wildflower seedling establishment, weed control, and wildflower seed production in field production settings, 2.) a greenhouse and field herbicide screening for crop safety and weed control, 3.) a quantification of best weed management programs based on production and economic assessments and 4.) an evaluation of the importance of the genetics of the seed source and climate in successful establishment. Bio I grew up in North Dakota and have lived in Bozeman for 8 years. I received my undergraduate degree from Montana State in Environmental Biology in 2005. I enjoy running, biking, skiing, snowboarding and hanging out with my dog. Some of my teaching experiences are listed below Working for North Dakota Game and Fish Department as a naturalist, where I taught young children about the various habitat of North Dakota. Volunteering at the outreach program of the Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, co-teaching and designing science classes for a diverse group of people. Guiding tours through caves with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks where I learned to use humor and simplicity as teaching tools. Volunteering as a CAP (Child Advancement Program) mentor for a 5^th grade girl helping her with academics and socializing. Working with Drs. Cliff Montagne and Lisa Rew at Montana State University with teaching assistant duties such as restructuring classes, teaching small sections, and conducting independent research on sand dune stabilization for the non-profit organization, BioRegions International. Acting as the program director for BioRegions International in 2006, whose main goal is building schools, promoting education, and preserving culture for the nomadic herders in Northern Mongolia. Leading educational outings explaining the basics of restoration ecology and species diversity to adults and children while employed with the nursery and revegetation crews in Glacier National Park I am working in the Weed Ecology lab at MSU with Fabian Menalled advising me. I am currently analyzing my results and writing my thesis.