Research Goals
I believe that plants can change the world.
I research the illuminating relationships that native plants maintain between their ecosystem, climate, and people.
The ecosystem services that plants provide can be strategically implemented to alleviate the effects of climate change and solve other wicked problems. We can filter air and water, stabilize coastlines, regrow with resilience on burned landscapes, nourish peoples’ bellies and respect of place when working with plant-hands.
Native plants are imperative for ecosystem recovery around the globe. Your native plants are healing your ecosystem. Your native plants are healing your climate.
My current research goals focus on disturbance ecology, particularly ecosystem services that support community adaptability and regeneration from wildfires, glacial melt, and saltwater intrusion. Furthermore, I am fascinated by the applications of native plants in agricultural landscapes, how they can fortify and enhance our food systems.
Impact
Vital environmental health solutions are based in community knowledge and empowered by the scientific method. I aim to inspire legacy-minded community stewardship with publicly accessible plant-based education. I showcase plants changing the world under the handle @SamanthaElieBotanist on Instagram and Facebook and publish articles here on my website www.SamanthaElie.com
My Big Hairy Audacious Goal is to be an independent researcher. This will allow me to do the research that matters, not be restricted to the red tape of government or academic institutions, or starving the small budgets of grassroots initiatives. As an independent researcher I will be free to initiate projects and collaborate with the best agencies to achieve project goals and tangible plant-powered positive impact.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/SamanthaElieBotanist
Venmo: @SamanthaElieBotanist www.account.venmo.com/u/SamanthaElieBotanist
My first goal is to have 500 people donating $10 a month. This will allow me to begin independent research on a full-time basis. When you support Samantha you are supporting botany research that matters.