The latest recipient of the $6000 Dr Stella Frances Scholarship says her thesis is a particularly challenging, exciting and novel project that will add to the story of underground life within the human ecosystem, namely urban cities.
Grace Mitchell, 22, a University of Waikato Master of Science (Research) student majoring in ecology and biodiversity, is investigating mesofauna (small soil organisms such as mites and springtails) and micro-organisms in the restored forests of eight New Zealand cities - Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin, Christchurch and Invercargill.
Environmental performance committee chairwoman and Waikato regional councillor Kathy White said: "The work that Grace is doing on urban forests is invaluable. She's a writer and leader in her community who is inspiring others, and we love to reward and celebrate those successes."
![Dr Stella Frances pictured in 1998 on one of the Hauraki Gulf islands. She became the first woman conservator in the country on International Women's Day, March 8, 1993. Photo / NZME](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ADR6R3SAQITUC6JZWQLRGVCUCM.jpg?auth=0e4eb98e12b2938c603e4ff4f25a0673a2a99963290d020997bfbab24da9b418&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
Grace's studies are part of a larger research project called PCaN: People, Cities & Nature, which has other postgraduate students contributing their work in the same restored forests on birdlife, lizards, plantings, predators, larger insects, nematodes (roundworm), Māori values and community connections.