Libby Shafer
PhD Student
Biography
Major advisor: Dr. Becky Barak
Research topic: Investigating socio-ecological approaches to transform lawn culture and promote urban pollinator habitat
Research interests: social and environmental change, people-lawn-bee relationships, urban ecology
Research topic: Investigating socio-ecological approaches to transform lawn culture and promote urban pollinator habitat
Research interests: social and environmental change, people-lawn-bee relationships, urban ecology
Current research: I'm organizing a collective planting research project, called Bees on the Block, in which 80 neighbors across five blocks in Evanston are growing pollinator plants from plugs in their front yards and hosting a native lawn alternative seed experiment in their parkways. Building on a greenhouse experiment, where we seeded 40 different native species into Kentucky Bluegrass, we're interseeding eight native species directly into turfgrass in hopes of finding practical approaches to growing pollinator plants. We're also surveying and interviewing participants about their experiences and preferred planting approach. This work explores pathways for engaging neighbors in planting to foster collective environmental stewardship and pollinator conservation in urban landscapes.
Recent awards:
2025
- Northwestern Plant Biology and Conservation Travel Award: $600
2026
- Garden Club of America's Fellowship in Ecological Restoration: $8,000
- Francis Y. Kwong Memorial Award: $5,000
Outside website: http://hostplant.net/