Growing Biodiverse Communities on Campus (Students Dig It, Literally!): A Conversation with Caprice Disbrow

Prepare to be inspired! Podcast host Shiran Ben-Zeev and Caprice Disbrow, a Biology and Botany Instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College, enthusiastically talk about the SRJC Campus Biodiversity Initiative, whose goals are to increase awareness of and deepen knowledge of the species found on campus, engage with campus biodiversity, and provide research and career development opportunities through independent and course-based learning, research, and stewardship. The Initiative is a collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners to build gardens and landscaping to beautify the campus in a thoughtful and intelligent way—as well as to measure and improve biodiversity, with additional social, mental health, and creativity benefits. Caprice discusses the origin of the project and how it is growing and building communities of plants and people (and other biodiversity!). There's so much we can learn from each other.

Find out more at https://www.srjcbiodiversity.org/.

Caprice Disbrow holds a bachelor’s degree in plant biology from UC Davis and a master’s degree in plant ecology from Sonoma State University. Prior to falling in love with teaching, she worked as a professional botanist at Jacobs Engineering and served on the board of the California Native Plant Society Milo Baker Chapter. At Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), she’s taught major’s and non-major’s botany, introductory biology, and ecology. She also curates the SRJC Herbarium, and co-coordinates the SRJC Campus Biodiversity Initiative. 

Ironically, despite studying plants (which lack neurons), she is now diving deep into the psychology of science education, metacognition, identifying/correcting misconceptions, and learning how to learn. She is excited to examine how Campus Biodiversity Initiative and herbarium experiences impact a person’s identity in STEM education. 

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The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has produced and provides this podcast for people who love plants, plant research, and BSA journals. The information presented is based on current scientific understanding and may be subject to change as new research emerges. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are the personal views of the host and guests, and not the views, policies, or opinions of BSA or any of its officials. The appearance of any host or guest does not imply an endorsement by BSA of them, their employer, any entity they represent, or any view or content they express or create outside of this podcast. Reference to any product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BSA.  This podcast may not be republished or repurposed without the consent of the BSA.

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