Proposal for the establishment of the SNHU arboretum

Southern New Hampshire University’s Manchester campus is currently experiencing tremendous growth. With rapid development following increased enrollment, the school’s natural and ecological heritage is quickly disappearing. This paper proposes an alternative form of development: the preservation and cultivation of ≈20-35 acres of forested land on the campus for the purposes of creating an Arboretum. This research shows the immense benefits to both the school and community at large by such an initiative, including, briefly: providing unparalleled and unique educational and academic opportunities for students both on campus and at local schools; increased recruitment and retention of both highly-qualified students and faculty; serving as a flagship for support and promotion of the school’s sustainability efforts; raising local awareness of environmental and social issues; and benefiting the health and safety of the entire community. Additionally, this research shows high levels of support for the Arboretum from the community and the faculty of SNHU, as it directly supports responsible school growth, the UC Strategic Plan, the Manchester Neighborhood Health Improvement Strategy, the State of New Hampshire’s Priority Forest Landscapes, and the Governor’s proclamation of 2015 as “A Year of STEM,” among many other initiatives. With suitable forested land rapidly being swallowed by “hard” development and construction, and a critical need for unique STEM education opportunities, it is imperative that the school act now to set aside this natural landscape. The Arboretum has unequaled potential to provide the utmost benefit to the students, staff, faculty, and local and statewide communities for generations to come. (Author abstract)Weinstein, M. (2015). Proposal for the establishment of the SNHU arboretum. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed

The Influence of Soil Moisture on the Color Morph of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

This project aims to determine whether or not soil moisture influences the presence of different color morphs of the Eastern Red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus). Soil temperature and moisture are two variables that comprise a thermal niche. Prior research suggests that different color morphs of this salamander have been known to be found at different substrate temperatures, however, this finding may be dependent on the location and season of sampling. Measuring the soil moisture and conducting a count survey on these salamanders will gather additional data that can be examined to find out if there is a correlation between the different color morphs and different soil moisture levels or thermal niches. In the SNHU Arboretum four plots were established, each consisting of 12 coverboards to allow for count surveying to take place. Count surveying and soil sampling were conducted each week for 9 weeks. This study will provide data to support the idea that certain color morphs of this salamander have become more dominant in certain thermal niches

Arboretum Invasive Species Management

Invasive species removal project and the utilization of mechanical management of Glossy Buckthorn and Oriental Bittersweet at the SNHU Arboretum