Native Plant Advocate of the Month Rebecca Howard

Rebecca grew up in a small village in western New York State. As a child she enjoyed wandering through the nearby forests and exploring the shores of Lake Erie, on foot or on horseback. A love for bird watching was ignited by a talk on the Audubon Society that was presented to her fifth-grade class by a biology professor from the local college. By the age of 12, inspired by the 1960s TV show “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”, she decided that becoming a wildlife biologist was her goal.’ Assistant Jim always had the coolest adventures!

Rebecca completed B.S and M.S. degrees in Wildlife Biology, with minors in Botany.

During her M.S. studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she became interested in wetlands through her work as teaching assistant in university classes that focused on these valuable habitats, and through her thesis research quantifying environmental characteristics of long-term beaver colonies. At this time, she became more focused on the habitats and plants supporting

wildlife species than on the wildlife itself. Her job following graduation led her to south Louisiana to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a job that led to a career with the federal government spanning 38 years.

Supported by her job, Rebecca obtained a Ph.D. in the LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies. Her research focused on causes of coastal wetland loss, specifically on the stressors and disturbances that can lead to vegetation death (e.g., high salinity, permanent flooding). Over the remainder of her professional career with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center she conducted greenhouse and field studies that documented the stress tolerance of plant species and their ability to recover (or not). In essence, her studies resulted in the death of many plants over the years.

After retirement from the USGS Rebecca was able to volunteer with ANPP, an organization she has admired since it was formed. She enjoys working with the Education and Outreach Committee and helping with propagation activities at the Arnaudville greenhouse. Perhaps this is atonement for her years of murdering wetland plants! Working with a team, she attempts to keep the greenhouse plant inventory up to date; this is a challenge because plants are “flying off the shelf” due to high community interest, a great achievement for all the people who volunteer with ANPP. 

ANPP thanks you for your dedication and hard work! We appreciate all you do, Rebecca!