A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa undergraduate student earned a national scholarship for contributions to seed conservation of threatened and endangered species.
Gracianne Young earned the 2024 Keller Scholarship in Conservation Horticulture from the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Garden Club of America (GCA). Young is one of three recipients nationwide in 2024 and will receive a $5,000 scholarship to further her studies in conservation horticulture.
Young developed her award-winning innovative research project “Climate Adaptation and Germination Strategies of Endangered Hawaiian Plants” as a student researcher at UH Mānoa’s Lyon Arboretum. Her findings are expected to contribute significantly to the conservation efforts and ecological restoration of Hawaiian flora.
“This scholarship enables me to advance my contribution to the conservation of Hawaiʻi’s unique botanical heritage,” said Young, who is a sophomore natural resource and environmental management–natural science pathway major in UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. “Through this invaluable experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the difficulties faced by our native species in changing environmental conditions. Receiving this award is a significant step toward helping me develop a career in ecology, and I am thankful for the support and recognition from the BGCI and the GCA.”
Young’s project is a deep dive into the climate responses of Hawaiian plants that are crucial to our native ecosystem. Her research is focused on identifying the optimal conditions for seed germination and developing protocols to maximize seedling recruitment in their natural habitats. She is conducting this comprehensive study in collaboration with Lyon Arboretum’s Seed Conservation Lab, where she is collecting data from controlled lab trials and comparing it with wild habitat phenology (study of the timing of biological events in relation to seasonal and climate changes).
“Gracianne’s colleagues at Lyon Arboretum celebrate her success, highlighting the Seed Conservation Lab’s commitment to environmental research and education,” said Nathaniel Kingsley, Seed Conservation Laboratory manager. “This prestigious accolade underscores the importance of preserving native species and inspires the next generation of plant scientists and conservationists.”
The Keller Scholarship in Conservation Horticulture was established in 2020 to encourage the study of plant conservation principles and significant threats to plant diversity.
