We need field help! Our lab is starting up a project investigating the genetic basis of drought mortality in quaking aspen. We are going to be growing aspen genotypes in a greenhouse, and measuring their ecophysiological properties before and after experimental drought. As a foundation for the work, we are collecting root samples for propagation from throughout the west.

Locations include:
– central/northern Idaho
– northern, western, and southwestern Colorado
– central and southern Utah
– northern Nevada
– eastern Arizona

Do you have anyone who might be interested in collecting in any of these locations? Collections would likely take place in October or November – between autumn foliage and ground freezing, approximately. We can be flexible on timing. We are looking either for people who might want to work alone (all sites are next to roads) or meet up with our team to work together. We are looking for anyone who would be responsible and safe working in the forest – knowledge of aspen ecology is not necessary. Work involves locating trees with GPS, then digging up roots with hand tools, then shipping extracted roots to us via overnight FedEx (we pay shipping).

We could offer in return $30/day + fuel costs as a small honorarium, plus acknowledgment in the manuscript arising from the work.

Please get in touch with me (benjamin.blonder@berkeley.edu) if you are interested. Feel free to forward to your networks. The fieldwork is beautiful and a lot of fun.