ANDIE GRAHAM, PWS
​
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ECOLOGY
THE COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
BROCKPORT, NY
I am a broadly-trained environmental scientist with backgrounds in wildlife management, wetland science, and restoration ecology.
ABOUT ME
I am a certified Professional Wetland Scientist through the Society of Wetland Scientists and a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner through the Society of Ecological Restoration.
​
I work in the Department of Environmental Science and Ecology at SUNY Brockport where I teach environmental science lab (ENV 202/205) and wetland delineation (ENV 447/547), conduct research and habitat restoration in wetlands, and provide instructional support.
​
​
​
RESEARCH
MY RESEARCH FOCUSES ON WETLAND SCIENCE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HUMAN IMPACTS TO WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS, INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT, AND HABITAT RESTORATION.
IMPACTS OF INVASIVE INSECTSÂ ON WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS
This work focuses on assessing the changes to hydrology, water chemistry, and plant community due to the invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in wetlands.
THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE TYPHA X GLAUCA FROM A LAKE ONTARIO COASTAL FEN
Buttonwood Creek, a drowned river mouth tributary of Braddock Bay on Lake Ontario’s south shore, was found to have a rare fen community concealed by cattails during other restoration activities in 2014. Our research team has been using manual cutting and herbicide methods that were developed specifically for Lake Ontario coastal wetlands to control invasive cattail with a goal of restoring native fen vegetation to the site.
SLENDER FALSE BROME (BRACHYPODIUM SYLVATICUM) CONTROL
I have been studying the highly invasive grass, Brachypodium sylvaticum, in NY State since 2015. My research has focused on learning about the environmental conditions needed for its growth, factors that facilitate its spread, and developing effective control methods.
BROOK TROUT (SALVELINUS FONTINALIS) HABITAT ASSESSMENT
Populations of wild brook trout in New York State have declined due to habitat fragmentation and loss, climate change, and non-native species.
​
The work being conducted on this project is important to understand brook trout habitat and potential breeding locations within the Black Creek watershed, which will aid in the conservation of this important species.
TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP
INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD:
Wetland Delineation (ENV 447/547)
Scientific Exploration- Experimentation and Research (DCC 330)Â
Scientific Exploration (DCC 220)
Environmental Science (ENV 202)
Academic Planning Seminar (GEP 100)
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT:
Ecology (ENV 303)
Plant Diversity (ENV 400/500)
Limnology (ENV 419/519)
Wetland Ecology (ENV 446/546)
Fish Biology (ENV 486/586)
INDEPENDENT STUDIES:
​
Wetland Hydrogeology (Spring '20)
Data Analysis using R (Spring '20)
Campus Sustainability (Spring '20)
Soils and Invasion (Fall '19)
Wetland Restoration (Fall '19)
Winter Plant ID (Spring '19)
Wetland Invasion Ecology (Spring ’16, Spring ’17, Spring '19, Fall '19)
The Impact of Vegetation on Cavity-nesting Birds (Summer ’18)
Peatland Plant Diversity (Spring ’18)
Wetland Community Assessment (Spring ’18)
Restoration Methodology (Fall ’17 and Spring ’18)
Bluebird Biology (Spring ’17)
House Wren Biology (Spring ’17)
Tree Swallow Biology (Spring ’17)
​
​
MENTORSHIP
Graduate Students:
Sarah Kirkpatrick- Evaluating restoration techniques for a coastal fen on Lake Ontario degraded by Typha × glauca and shrub encroachment- Graduate Thesis Committee (September '19- present)
Andrew Leonardi- Brachypodium sylvaticum and its impacts on diversity, soil nutrient content, and decomposition rates- Graduate Thesis Committee (August ’18- present)
Megan Aubertine- Brachypodium sylvaticum competition and management- Graduate Thesis Committee (January ’19- present)
Tiffany Clay- Investigating landscape level spatial patterns of Brachypodium sylvaticum invasion- Independent Research Mentor (spring ’16- present)
Graduate Teaching Assistants (TA)- Supervise two TAs each semester (fall ’14- present)
Undergraduate Students:
Aubrey Franks- Wetland Restoration (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (summer '19- present)
Max Mahoney- Do certain soil types facilitate invasive plants? Independent Study Research Mentor (summer '19- present)
Cory Wolfe- Wetland Invasion Ecology (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (summer '19- present)
Kevin Killigrew- Lake Level Regulations and Marsh Birds – Honors Thesis Advisor (spring ’17- spring '19)
Rachael Ezzezew- Wetland Restoration (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’19)
Megan Aubertine and Nicole Juda- Wetland Restoration (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (fall ’18)
Guadalupe Telles- The Impact of Vegetation on Cavity-nesting Birds- SURP Mentor (summer ’18)
Nate Jones- Peatland Plant Diversity (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’18)
RJ Sciarrone- Wetland Community Assessment (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’18)
Megan Aubertine and Nicole Juda- Restoration Methodology (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (fall ’17 and spring ’18)
Zac Falconer- Bluebird Biology (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’17)
Emily Jackson- House Wren Biology (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’17)
Oscar Perez- Tree Swallow Biology (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’17)
Taylor Listowski and Wyatt Jackson- Wetland Invasion Ecology (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (spring ’16 and spring ’17)
Sarah Dobie- Going Green on Campus (ENV 499)- Independent Study Research Mentor (fall ’14)
PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES AND INVITED LECTURES
* = STUDENT PRESENTATION
Clay, T.* and A. Graham. 2019. Investigating Landscape Level Spatial Patterns of Brachypodium sylvaticum Invasion. The Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
​
Graham, A. 2019. Using Mechanical and Chemical Control to Remove the Invasive Grass, Brachypodium sylvaticum, from a Western New York Wetland Complex. The Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
​
Graham, A., B. Mudrzynski, E. Polzer, and D. Wilcox. 2019. Restoration of a Lake Ontario-Connected Floating Fen Via Invasive Cattail Removal. The Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
​
Graham, A. and T. Clay*. 2019. An update on methods for early detection and control of slender falsebrome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) in NY State. New York State Wetlands Forum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Aubertine, M.* and A. Graham. 2019. Impact of Brachypodium sylvaticum on seedling recruitment in Bergen Swamp, Bergen, New York. New York State Wetlands Forum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Ezzezew, R.* and A. Graham. 2019. Do trails facilitate the spread of slender false-brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) in Bergen Swamp? New York State Wetlands Forum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Killigrew, K.* and A. Graham. 2019. Impacts of Disturbance on Habitat and Avian Populations in Irondequoit Creek. New York State Wetlands Forum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Aubertine, M.*, N. Juda*, and A. Graham. 2018. Brachypodium sylvaticum control in Bergen Swamp. New York State Wetlands Forum, Watkins Glen, NY.
Jones, N.*, B. Mudrzynski, E. Polzer*, D. Wilcox, and A. Graham. 2018. Restoration of Buttonwood Creek Fen Using Cattail Control. New York State Wetlands Forum, Watkins Glen, NY.
Sciarrone, R.* and A. Graham. 2018. Evaluating plant diversity among natural, created, and restored wetlands. New York State Wetlands Forum, Watkins Glen, NY.
Graham, A. 2018. Invasive Species Management in Bergen Swamp. Invited Speaker: Cornell Cooperative Extension Invasive Pest Management Program, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
Falconer, Z.* and A. Graham. 2018. Nest box preference and productivity of cavity-nesting birds. The NY Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Kingston, NY.
Wilcox, D.A., B.M. Mudrzynski, E. Polzer, J. Bateman, A. Silva, and A. Graham. 2017. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative wetland restorations in the Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area of Lake Ontario. Society of Wetland Scientists, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Falconer, Z.* and A. Graham. 2017. Nest box preference and productivity of Eastern Bluebirds. Rochester Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Rochester, NY.
Pecci, O.* and A. Graham. 2017. Nest box preference and productivity of Tree Swallows. Rochester Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Rochester, NY.
Graham, A. 2017. Brachypodium sylvaticum: An Emerging Threat to NY State. New York State Wetlands Forum, Suffern, NY.
Mudrzynski, B., A. Graham, E. Polzer*, and D. A. Wilcox. 2017. Cattail Control and Restoration of a Rare Fen Community in a Lake Ontario Coastal Wetland. New York State Wetlands Forum, Suffern, NY.
Clay, T. * and A. Graham. 2017. Predicting the spread of Brachypodium sylvaticum in Bergen Swamp, Bergen, NY. NY State Wetlands Forum, Suffern, NY.
Jackson, W.* and A. Graham. 2017. Does distance to trail, canopy cover, soil moisture, and soil pH facilitate the spread of the invasive Brachypodium sylvaticum in Bergen Swamp? NY State Wetlands Forum, Suffern, NY.
Jackson, W.* and A. Graham. 2017. Investigating factors affecting the distribution of false-brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) in Bergen Swamp. Scholars Day, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, NY.
Ward, S*. and A. Graham. 2016. Rare and Endangered Plants in Bergen Swamp. Scholars Day, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, NY.
Graham, A. 2016. A Long-term Study of Wetland Vegetation in Bergen Swamp: Building a Baseline. New York State Wetlands Forum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Listowski, T.* and A. Graham. 2016. Invasive Plant Distribution Varies with Distance to Foot Trails in Bergen Swamp, Bergen, NY. NY State Wetlands Forum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Graham, A. 2016. Wetland Hydrogeology. Guest Lecturer, Water Resource Issues (ESC 364), The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, NY.
Graham, A. and D. A. Wilcox. 2015. Hydrofracking the Marcellus Shale: The Impact of Gas Drilling Accidents on Amphibians in a Pennsylvania Wetland. New York State Wetlands Forum, Syracuse, NY.
Graham, A. and D. A. Wilcox. 2014. Hydrofracking and Wetlands: What Can We Learn From PA? New York State Wetlands Forum, Rochester, NY.
Graham, A. and D. A. Wilcox. 2013. Hydrofracking the Marcellus Shale: The Impact of a Gas Drilling Accident on Wallace Mine Fen, Moshannon State Forest, PA. The Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting, Duluth, MN.
PUBLICATIONS
Wilcox, D. A., E. L. Polzer, A. Graham, R. K. Booth, and B. Mudrzynski. 2023. Fen development along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Journal of Great Lakes Research 49: 163- 171.
Graham, A., B. Mudrzynski, E. Polzer, and D. A. Wilcox. 2022. Restoration of a Lake Ontario-connected fen through invasive Typha removal. Restoration Ecology 30: 1-7.
​
Graham, A. and D. A. Wilcox. 2021. The impacts of Marcellus Shale gas drilling accidents on amphibians
in a Pennsylvania fen. Wetlands Ecology and Management
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-020-09775-4.
​
​
CONTACT ME
Andie Graham
585-395-5966
