UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Grand Teton National Park and the Grand Teton Association (GTA) have selected Penn State student Lauren Abbott for the 2015 Boyd Evison Graduate Fellowship.
Since 2005, the Evison Fellowship has supported graduate students as they conduct advanced studies across the Greater Yellowstone Area. Abbott is completing her master’s degree in recreation, park, and tourism management at University Park.
With funding and support derived from the Evison Fellowship, Abbott plans to begin work on her doctorate with a focus on soundscape protection in national parks and the impacts of sound on human health and wellbeing. Before starting her studies at Penn State, Abbott graduated from the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She also worked as a backpacking and climbing instructor in the Rocky Mountains, and spent time as an intern for the Student Conservation Association in Yosemite National Park.
While attending Penn State, Abbott has served as a member of the Protected Areas Research Collaborative. Led by Peter Newman, director of the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management at Penn State, and Derrick Taff, assistant professor, this research collaborative trains both masters-level and doctoral students on the collection of scientific data related to visitor use in protected areas, such as national parks. The data gathered provides essential information needed by public land managers so that they can make science-based decisions and apply best management practices related to soundscape preservation, visitor use and education, visitor flow, and integrated transportation systems.
In addition to her keen interest in park management and recreation, Abbott is passionate about conserving national parks and protected areas. She is also an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys backpacking, skiing, rock climbing and cycling.
The Evison Graduate Fellowship was established in memory of Boyd Evison, after his death in 2002. The fellowship was created to honor his extensive and dedicated service to both the NPS and the GTA. Evison retired in 1994 from an exemplary 42-year career with the NPS and soon after, he began a second career as executive director for GTA -- a nonprofit park partner dedicated to aiding interpretive, educational, and research programs for Grand Teton National Park.
The Evison Fellowship program encourages scientific and conservation-related research in Grand Teton and throughout the Greater Yellowstone Area, and supports study leading to a master's or doctoral degree. Upon completion, Evison recipients provide a copy of their thesis to the GTA and often share their results through oral presentations to park staff and partners.
An Evison Fellowship provides tuition assistance and a yearly stipend to cover travel and field research costs. Grand Teton National Park can offer housing support for students during field sessions. To inquire about the Boyd Evison Graduate Fellowship, or donate funds toward the program, contact Jan Lynch, executive director of Grand Teton Association by mail at P.O. Box 170, Moose, Wyoming, 83012, or phone 307-739-3406.