Meet Chione (Kiwii) Lawton, a non-traditional environmental science student who graduated this past spring with their B.S. degree in ecology and a minor in geology. Kiwii’s research work at UNT focuses on ecosystem restoration, seeking sustainable ways to grow native plants in urban areas like the DFW metroplex. 
“We live in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, sandwiched between various critical prairie habitats and migratory flyways,” said Kiwii. “I am studying how to utilize no- or low-mow protocols at both the individual and municipal level in order to maximize biodiversity, minimize resource expenditure, decrease heat island effect, slow overland water flows, sequester carbon, and more.” 

 

Through the UNT chapter of Society of Ecological Restoration (SER) Kiwii works alongside a number of sustainability-minded student orgs, including Ecological Action Studios, Bird & Plant Outreach, and the Pollinative Prairie Committee. They also manage the Ecology Greenhouse alongside fellow student Calvin Nering. The Greenhouse crew sows native plants for utilization in local restoration projects, assists with sustainability projects on campus, and maintains the greenhouse facilities for faculty and student research. 

 

"Dylan Reinart and Calvin are heading research on the interactions and applications of using soil fungi to bolster native prairie grass growth, and there is also a project where aquatic plants are being grown for the purposes of restoring riparian areas,” said Kiwii. “The plants that I am growing will be part of a native beds initiative on campus, and the flowers will be planted across UNT!” 
 
Kiwii works under the mentorship of Clinical Assistant Professor of Ecology Dr. Jaime Baxter-Slye. “I've never met someone who has hyped me up so much for my achievements and blatantly pointed out my potential. She advocates for me, encourages me to have autonomy over my career and education, and reminds me to breathe, take a break, or stop overthinking,” said Kiwii. “There aren't words to express the kindness she has gifted me, the opportunities I would not have had if she hadn't encouraged me to pursue more.” 

 

Part of Kiwii’s work also involves outreach efforts and finding ways to engage individuals and the community by getting them inspired, involved, and educated about their local ecosystems. Besides creating fliers, signs, and social media posts to educate the public, Kiwii also helps put together community events that emphasize 'community science' and integrates citizen science resources like iNaturalist to help people get involved. 

 

“My goal is to change the mindsets of people in the community through action and education so that the momentum for change is passed down to future generations,” said Kiwii, who got their start in in municipal work participating in an internship with the City of Lewisville Parks and Rec. The project, called Extending the Big Green Move, aimed to plant native plant species on twenty acres of median across the city and won several awards for the city. This experience opened Kiwii’s eyes to the possibilities.  

 

“I realized great change can come from working in areas like this; great change within our city by working with the city,” said Kiwii, who is also working with the City of Denton to create a Wildflower Program that will span 307 acres of municipal greenspace. “People and municipalities are more likely to adopt these mindsets when the execution is made easier and fewer resources than the alternatives. Less money spent? Less water used? Less mowing needed? More butterflies, better harvests, less heat, more flowers? Less effort? People can sign up for that.” 

 

Kiwii plans to begin working toward their Master’s degree in the fall and hopes to one day join a nonprofit organization that participates in restoration efforts across the globe. “I want to create and restore all types of ecosystems,” they said. “Today Denton, tomorrow the world!”