I am a rising senior at Northwestern University majoring in Biological Sciences and Environmental Science. This summer I am a field research technician with Team Echinacea!
Pronouns: She/her
Research Interests
I’m interested how we can help protect and conserve the amazing ecosystems and species found on our planet, especially working to prioritize this even in the face of expanding human development and economic and political pressures. I’m also interested in evolution and genetics and how species adapt and change over time in the face of stressors. I am fascinated by research, like that done by the echinacea project, can be used to inform large-scale decision making.
Statement
I’m from Blaine, Minnesota, and I’m super excited to be back in MN after spending a couple summers away. I love being outside, exploring new places, and taking slow moments to sit and observe wildlife. I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, and playing guitar. I also enjoy reading and going to antique, thrift and record stores.
I am a field research technician beginning my career in ecology with the Echinacea Project! I recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where I studied environmental science with a focus on conservation biology.
Pronouns: he/him
Research Interests
I’m interested in restoration ecology and plant conservation, particularly in highly human-disturbed areas such as the agricultural lands of Douglas County, Minnesota where the Echinacea Project does its work. I plan to pursue a PhD in the near future, and am hoping to learn more about the research process this summer.
Statement
I grew up near Los Angeles, California, spending much of my childhood exploring the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. I like backpacking, surfing, doodling, dinosaurs, and native plants. Although I have often visited my family in the Midwest, I’ve never lived here, and I am excited to experience everything that West Central Minnesota has to offer!
Myself (Max), thrilled to be surrounded by vegetation
I am Highschool Research Intern this year, as well as, I am a freshly admitted student at the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, for a degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. I am excited to be on the team for a second time!Â
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Interests
This year I am excited to learn more about the prairie, seeing some of the same and different flowers, and working with a new team.Â
Statement
I have always been here in the area. I grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota. Some fun facts about me is that I am very involved in the arts. I throw pottery, I sing, and I have played violin for 10+ years. In the fall I plan to audition for the U of M Orchestra! An interesting fact about me is that I became an uncle at 3 years old.
Congratulations to Maddie Sadler! Maddie graduates this weekend with a Masters degree from Northwestern University. Well done, Maddie! Last night the Program in Plant Biology and Conservation hosted a very nice ceremony for 17 graduates. Stuart, Gretel, and Maddie’s parents, brother, & friends attended, including Maddie DiMarco. It was great to see everyone at this joyful event.
Maddie’s thesis title: Asteraceae species richness along Minnesota prairie corridor: what types of prairie harbor the most diversity
First row (L to R): Lois, Art, Leslie, Amy, Laura; Second row: Susie, Char, Gretel, Anne, Stuart, Allen, Mike, Ivy, Lea, Scott, Shelley. Not pictured: Aldo, Susan, Michele, Marty, Naomi, Sam, Kathryn, Lou, Suzanne, Nicolette, Sarah.Lea and AmyLea in the prairieLea, Elif, and Riley at a volunteer appreciation eventTeam members learning the ways of aphids. Searching for somethingLea and Ashley in Perkins.Volunteers show Sam, Lea and me how to dissect heads and count achenes. From left, Suzanne, Bill (in back), Char, me, Art, Aldo, Sam, Lea, Suzie.Leah watching the Runestone Days parade.Lea and Alex Team Echinacea 2015Lea Surveys Plants at Staffanson Prairie Preserve August 2018Lea does the reverse-sauna in the freezer.Lea Richardson in the prairieGina, Matt, Lea, Taylor, and Ben 2015the scholar at workThe Team from summer 2017Interns, graduate students, volunteers, and full-time scientists convene for the Team Echinacea annual potluck! 2019Lea in 2016
Lea Richardson died on Friday April 3rd due to complications from melanoma. She was surrounded by friends and family in a hospital in California.
Lea joined Team Echinacea in June 2015 when she participated in a Research Experience for Teachers internship at our field site in Minnesota. It was a bold move for a teacher from Los Angeles public schools to try out research in rural Minnesota. She loved working with the team and developed a passion for fieldwork. She also relished fun times like swimming at the lake after work and adventures with the team. Lea liked it so much she stayed longer than she planned that summer and returned the next summer.
Lea joined the Ph.D. program in Plant Biology and Conservation at Northwestern University and conducted research at our field site in Minnesota. Lea was a valued member of the department and looked out for those excluded from opportunities and advancement in science. She was a stellar student earning many academic honors.
Lea was an accomplished teacher and believed in the power of education to empower students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to classroom teaching, Lea engaged students from diverse backgrounds in her research and conservation activities in the field and in the lab. She modeled a growth mindset in formal and informal settings.
Lea enjoyed facing the many challenges (physical, intellectual, and logistical) of conducting ecological research. Lea’s dissertation made substantial contributions to basic science and to conservation. She used multi-year experiments to investigate how prescribed fire and other disturbances affect the timing of flowering of prairie plant populations and their persistence in the face of environmental change. We are proud of Lea and of the good work she did for people, the prairie, and the planet. She made many diverse contributions through her work with Team Echinacea.
After her graduation Lea returned to California as a post-doctoral research fellow. Lea dedicated her substantial talents to science, mentoring, and conservation. She continued to collaborate with Team Echinacea on research papers and projects until she fell ill in spring 2025.
Team Echinacea gained so much from Lea. Lea will be missed.
Lea Richardson in a prairie in western Minnesota.
UPDATE: Memorial service Friday, May 8th at 2 pm All Saints Church 132 N Euclid Ave Pasadena, CA 91101
Team Echinacea has been using discord for communication during the field season, for announcements, and for organizing. If you want to join our discord server, please contact Stuart. We’d love to hear from you.
For the past several years we have been investigating effects of prescribed fire on native ground-nesting bees in remnant prairies and restorations across our fragmented prairie landscape. We have a paper about effects of fire on the abundance and diversity of nesting bees in prep for a peer-reviewed journal. We are posting recommendations from this investigation now as a one-page non-technical document.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and by the National Science Foundation.
For the past few years we have been studying effects of prescribed fire on pollination, pollinators, and plants across our fragmented prairie landscape. We have a paper about effects of fire on pollen that we are preparing to submit to a peer-reviewed journal. We are posting recommendations from this investigation now as a one-page non-technical document.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and by the National Science Foundation.
For the past few years we have been studying effects of prescribed fire on pollination, pollinators, and plants across our fragmented prairie landscape. We have three papers we are preparing for submission to peer-reviewed journals. From each, we have recommendations for land managers interested in conserving native prairie bees and plants. We are posting these recommendations now in a one-page non-technical format.
The first paper is about prescribed fire effects on pollination and pollinator visitation. Read the recommendations that are based on the paper.
Expect two more one-pagers tomorrow.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and by the National Science Foundation.
