INDEPENDENT STUDY -
CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN THE LOWER GORDON GULCH
What if you could design a course that focuses entirely on your greatest interest, where you have the freedom to choose everything from resources and readings to mentors, fieldwork, and final projects? At Watershed, this opportunity exists through our Independent Study program. In this program, students partner with educators to develop and execute personalized research projects, diving deep into their passions while developing the skills and discipline needed for meaningful academic exploration.
This winter, Henry ‘25 completed his Independent Study project on measuring above-ground carbon storage in trees within the Upper-Montane Ecosystem. Guided by his mentor - Watershed science educator Ethan - he sampled Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, and Douglas Fir trees to collect data on tree diameter and height. The project involved extensive fieldwork in Gordon Gulch near Nederland, where Henry used tools like a special tape measure and clinometer to measure tree characteristics. The study explored how carbon storage varied by slope aspect, influenced by sunlight exposure and runoff. This project, which combined fieldwork and the analysis of over thirty scientific papers, aligns with Henry's college goals to study forestry at the University of Montana, where he hopes to tackle climate change-related challenges in forest management.
““For me the benefits of this independent study extend far beyond what you’ve seen here. I gained valuable experience in the science research process - getting to plan my own research project, start to finish and go out into the field to conduct a study. I also gained so much knowledge from reading scientific papers on topics ranging from climate change science to forest management reports in Colorado. This will help prepare me for studying forestry next year.””
Take a more in-depth look at Henry’s project here!
