Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship
Each year, The Garden Club of America (GCA) and the Center for Plant Conservation together award the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship to graduate students in biology, horticulture, or a related field. The purpose of the award is “to promote conservation of rare and endangered flora in the United States, with preference given to students whose projects focus on the endangered flora of the Carolinas and southeastern United States.” The fellowship was established to honor Catherine H. Beattie, who served as a director and board member of the GCA and as president from 1981 to 1983.
The fellowship provides one annual research grant of up to $4,500. The grant is regarded as compensation for work at a botanical garden by the student, who jointly serves the program of the Center for Plant Conservation and their curricular studies.
We are now accepting applications for 2024 fellowships. Please visit CPC’s website for more information about the Beattie Fellowship and detailed application instructions. Applications are due January 31, 2024. Learn more and apply.
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Meet the 2023 Beattie Fellows
Madeline Bednar, Miami University
Project: “Conservation Genetics of Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis, a Petitioned Pitcher Plant of the Florida Panhandle.”
Madeline will measure the level and structure of genetic diversity within and among the existing populations of the gulf pitcher plant by sampling across the full range of its native distribution, measuring the prevalence of clonality within populations, and providing an estimate of plant abundance during survey periods. Results from the study will aid the status assessment of the pitcher plant by US Fish and Wildlife Service and will identify necessary conservation efforts.
Erin Eichenberger, North Carolina State University
Project: “Investigating the Population Vital Rates and Pollinators of the Rare Southeastern Perennial Echinacea laevigata to Improve Management Recommendations.”
Erin will conduct demographic and floral visitor surveys of the smooth purple coneflower, a federally listed threatened species, to support ongoing conservation efforts. In collaboration with North Carolina State University, North Carolina Botanical Garden, and NC Plant Conservation Program, Erin will investigate the influence of canopy closure on growth and
