Goals

SEPAL’s primary goal is to advance the conservation of native and rare plant species through applied, interdisciplinary research. To achieve this, the project focuses on four core objectives:

  1. Safeguarding and Propagation: Maintain living collections of at-risk species and develop best practices for cultivation and reintroduction into wild and developed settings.
  2. Applied Research: Study plant responses to environmental stressors, climate variability, and soil conditions to inform management strategies.
  3. Public Education and Outreach: Create art- and design-based educational materials (e.g., interpretive signage, garden design, exhibitions) that raise awareness of native plant benefits, foster positive public perception of native landscape gardens, and reconnect the public to the natural heritage of Georgia.
  4. Community Collaboration: Partner with counties, cities, and conservation groups to support sustainable landscaping and ecological restoration in peri-urban environments.

Together, these goals position SEPAL as both a research engine and a regional resource for conservation training, native plant advocacy, and student-centered innovation.

Student at the KSU field station observing plants

 

Experience Gained

Students working with SEPAL will gain a wide range of practical, technical, and professional skills through project-based learning:

  • Research and Analytical Skills: Students will gain hands-on experience in designing and conducting controlled environment experiments, ecological monitoring, and collecting and analyzing physiological data including gas exchange rates and water use efficiency. Emphasis will be placed on data management, statistical analysis, and data visualization using R to interpret trends and inform conservation strategies
  • Creative and Communication Skills: Students will develop a range of competencies in visual communication and public engagement, including the design of interpretive signage, educational materials, and digital media that effectively convey scientific concepts to audiences with varying scientific literacy. They will explore principles of science storytelling to craft compelling narratives and visuals about native plants and conservation efforts. Additionally, students will learn how to design and administer surveys, conduct structured interviews, and analyze qualitative and quantitative feedback to assess public perception and the effectiveness of outreach strategies. These skills will be applied in real-world settings such as pollinator gardens, campus installations, and community events, allowing students to evaluate and refine their work based on audience engagement and response.
  • Technical Writing and Presentation: All students will practice presenting their work through posters, reports, and public talks, improving their scientific and professional communication.
  • Community Engagement: Students will work directly with external stakeholders to translate research into applied practices, such as providing best practices for propagation and transplantation of native plants, signage for demonstration gardens, and materials for outreach.

Through these experiences, students will gain competencies that prepare them for graduate school, research positions, nonprofit work, or careers in sustainability, horticulture, and public education.

Majors and Interests Needed

  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Integrated Health Science
  • Interactive Design
  • Learning, Design, and Technology
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Organizational and Professional Communication
  • Secondary Education (Mathematics, Broad Field with Biology Emphasis)

Team Advisor

Mario Bretfeld, Ph.D. 
Associate Professor of Biology
Email: mbretfel@kennesaw.edu 

For more information, please visit the Safeguarding, Education, Propagation, and Applied Research Laboratory (SEPAL) website: