Libby Shafer
I'm an urban ecologist, fascinated by lawn culture, bumble bees, and social and environmental change. I'm currently pursing a PhD at Northwestern and the Chicago Botanic Garden's joint program in Plant Biology & Conservation, where I'm advised by Dr. Becky Barak in the Rethinking Lawns Lab. My socioecological research explores leveraging change in lawn culture to better support plants, people, and pollinators.
I was born and raised in Evanston and recently moved back. My husband and I live in a fixer-upper bungalow six blocks from my parents and we're beginning to replace lawn with veggies and native plants. I also serve on the City of Evanston's Environment Board and am excited to contribute to local environmental issues. In my free time, I love surfing at Greenwood Beach, trail running and cross-country skiing in Harms Woods, dabbling in foraging and herbalism, feasting with loved ones, and seeing live music.
I'm deeply grateful for all the people that have supported, inspired, cheered me on, and collaborated with me along the way - I can't thank you enough.
Publications
Community engagement in urban habitat creation for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) indicates the potential of conservation in private yards
[email protected]
CV
LinkedIn
I'm an urban ecologist, fascinated by lawn culture, bumble bees, and social and environmental change. I'm currently pursing a PhD at Northwestern and the Chicago Botanic Garden's joint program in Plant Biology & Conservation, where I'm advised by Dr. Becky Barak in the Rethinking Lawns Lab. My socioecological research explores leveraging change in lawn culture to better support plants, people, and pollinators.
I was born and raised in Evanston and recently moved back. My husband and I live in a fixer-upper bungalow six blocks from my parents and we're beginning to replace lawn with veggies and native plants. I also serve on the City of Evanston's Environment Board and am excited to contribute to local environmental issues. In my free time, I love surfing at Greenwood Beach, trail running and cross-country skiing in Harms Woods, dabbling in foraging and herbalism, feasting with loved ones, and seeing live music.
I'm deeply grateful for all the people that have supported, inspired, cheered me on, and collaborated with me along the way - I can't thank you enough.
Publications
Community engagement in urban habitat creation for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) indicates the potential of conservation in private yards
[email protected]
CV
🎨 by Ava DeCapri of Trapdoor Studio