Ben VanderWeide

Joined: Nov 7, 2013 Last Active: Mar 24, 2024

I am a plant ecologist currently working as a natural areas manager for a park system in southeast Michigan. I've studied tallgrass prairie vegetation in Kansas, specifically the role of belowground plant parts (the "bud bank") in tallgrass prairie response to drought and grazing. I've also done various vegetation surveys, ecological restoration work, and land management in the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan. I also got to spend a growing season working in the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho.

I'm primarily a plant person, but I enjoy learning about insects, birds, plants, fungi, mammals, and whatever else I run into. Observing interactions among organisms and their environment is eye-opening, and gives me a little glimpse into how the natural world works.

I also enjoy gardening, hiking, baking, and reading.

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