Forest Landscape Ecology

Jeffery B. Cannon

Prospective Students

Our lab group is collaborative and interactive. All scientists at the Jones Center regularly co-advise graduate students through collaborations with various Universities in the region. We are always hoping to grow the lab, and welcome all interested students to contact us at [email protected] to discuss potential projects at the Jones Center. For prospective students with aligning interests, we also (approximately annually) advertise fellowships for specific projects. Please read the information on the Research Projects page to learn more about potential projects in the lab.

The ecosystems of Ichauway

The Jones Center at Ichauway is a non-profit ecological research center located in Baker County, GA. The Ichauway property covers 29,000 acres of mostly longleaf pine savanna, but also mixed hardwood forests, riparian hardwood forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields. Fifteen miles of the Ichauwaynochaway Creek runs through the property and 13 miles of the Flint River form the eastern boundary. Longleaf pine used to cover over 90 million acres in North America, but as of 2010, only approximately 3.4 million acres (~3%) remain. The southeast of the U.S. in general and Ichauway specifically boasts a tremendous amount of diversity. Over 1,100 vascular plant species and over 370 vertebrate species have been documented on Ichauway.

Housing

Houses come equipped with basic kitchen supplies and are fully furnished, including a washer and dryer and in most cases, a dishwasher. You supply your own bed linens and towels. We try to ensure that everyone has a private bedroom, though during very busy years we have had people sharing rooms for a short period of time. Depending on the house, you may have 1-4 roommates. 

Proximity of amenities

The Internet is only available in some of the housing, and the signal is not always very reliable. Internet is always available at the lab though, which is at most a 5-8 minute drive away. Cell service can be a little patchy, depending on where you are on site. Verizon is the most reliable. The administration will allow you to post and receive letters and packages through your Jones Center address. There are two dumpster areas for use by the Jones Center and those who live on-site. Groceries and household items are available within a half-hour drive.

Community

A kaleidoscopic cast of graduate students and research assistants adds sparkle to the Jones Center. The diverse research specialties at the center mean that birding, botanizing, herping, and other informal natural history excursions happen often.

Common social and recreational activities include bonfires, river swimming, kayaking, soccer, volleyball, and Frisbee. Outstanding natural and cultural features within a 2.5-hour drive include Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Apalachicola National Forest, the Suwannee River, Pine Mountain, and Kolomoki Mounds.