Hayley Lewis ’21 Discovers State-Endangered Grass on Pace Campus

Photo by Hayley Lewis

Environmental Studies major Hayley Lewis ’21 recently discovered Paspalum, a NY state-endangered grass, on Pace University’s Pleasantville campus. Hayley learned about the species through a Pace-funded plant internship she completed last summer at Stone Barns Center.

Hayley photographed and reported the grass to the NYSDEC’s Natural Heritage Program, which facilitates the conservation of rare plants and animals and the reduction of the threat of invasive species to native ecosystems.

Next, Hayley hopes to collect more seeds to grow on campus to create a manageable population and seed bank.

Watch Hayley discuss her findings in the video below: