Weber State Students Explore Zion in Botany Summer Program

For two weeks this summer, select students conducted botanical research at Zion National Park as part of a paid program.

Sadie Dunn, a Weber State University student and program attendee, described the experience as “liberating,” saying, “It's grueling labor, and I have insane amounts of respect for those that do it for a job.” She continued, “You do it because it pushes you, and you do it because you love it.”

During their time at Zion, students engaged in hands-on research activities such as identifying native and invasive species, mounting dried plants, and sampling rare and endemic species. 

Hosted by the Department of Botany & Plant Ecology, the Botany Summer Bridge Program is designed to help students develop academic skills, gain authentic botanical research experience, and become familiar with campus life.

“For me, it's been really rewarding to witness students at various stages of their career, from many different backgrounds, become excited about plants and to be able to provide them with some tools to help navigate the particulars of college and STEM fields,” said Bridget Hilbig, Chair of the Department of Botany and Plant Ecology.

In addition to their work at Zion, students participated in workshops and field research on topics such as invasive plant species and plant biotechnology. They visited Red Butte Gardens, the Natural History Museum, and the Ogden Nature Center and engaged in activities like creating terrariums. These excursions helped broaden their understanding of botanical science and its practical applications.

Dunn emphasized the program’s influence on her future goals, stating, “The Summer Bridge program opened up a plethora of opportunities to me, such as volunteering, research, mentorship, and employment. I learned so much about how botany graduate school programs work and tips about studying botany that are incredibly useful to me.”

This year marked the second iteration of the Botany Summer Bridge Program, which continues to collaborate with National Park Service scientists to monitor plant populations. The Botany Summer Bridge Program exemplifies the importance of connecting scientific research with real-world applications while equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary for future success.

To learn more about the program, visit the Summer Bridge website.

Learn More About Botany Scientists Programs Learn more about Botany Programs Undergraduate Research Opportunities