Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students are working with Dr. Andrew Taylor, an assistant professor of biology, on research that is helping restore habitat connectivity for the Trispot Darter, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

In collaboration with biologists from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), The Nature Conservancy, and Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council, the partners earned a $2 million competitive federal grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's America the Beautiful Challenge. UNG's portion of the grant is $53,000 and is being used to support Taylor's work with students on the project.

The current group is gaining hands-on experience as they each pursue a degree in biology.

"They're traveling to field sites. They work about three days a week, and they must coordinate logistics with our partners," Taylor said. "Fieldwork is hard. These students want to be ecologists and field biologists. This is one of the first opportunities for some of these students to get their feet wet."

Sarah Holgate, a junior from Ellijay, Georgia, said the opportunity to be in the field is invaluable as she aims for a career with DNR or a similar agency working in wetlands, swamps and coastal areas.

"We learn so much more than culverts when we're out there. There are plenty of things I wouldn't have noticed in the stream otherwise," Holgate said. "We are learning more about our environment by working in it."

Morgan Hill, a senior from Acworth, Georgia, is grateful to be able to see the progress of the project. Her research has also highlighted the value of these fish.

"They are important to our ecosystem," Hill, who plans to work for DNR and eventually become a fisheries biologist, said. "I don't think people realize that."

Sarah Cochran, a senior from Ellijay, Georgia, pursuing a minor in journalism in addition to her degree, has an interest in photography and media design. Her goal is to work in conservation in the Southern Appalachian area. Cochran has enjoyed using the viewfinder and other tools that are part of the research.

"It's been a lot more fun than I was expecting it to be," Cochran said. "It doesn't really feel like work."

Taylor said one of the main benefits of the research is the career preparation it provides.

"The relationships we're building with agencies like Georgia DNR, that's a big deal for my lab and UNG. We want to help potential employers see our students early and often," Taylor said. "It's valuable, real-world job experience before they ever graduate."

New students will be added to the project in the summer and fall of 2025.