Showcasing the 2025 Research Grant Recipients

Each year since 1998, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance (IPWA) has awarded graduate research grants with a focus on ecological impacts in alpine and sub-alpine environments. The research topics focus on the ecology of Colorado's high country (especially the Indian Peaks and James Peak wilderness areas). These grants honor David Paddon and Joyce Gellhorn. To learn more visit our Research Grants page.

In 2025, the IPWA funded two Paddon Gellhorn Research grants. To learn more, check out the summary videos or reports below:

Dani Laird, Dual Candidate for Master in Ecology & Master in Environmental Management, Clark School of Environmental and Sustainability, Western Colorado University:

Satellites to species conservation: Spatial modeling for the endangered Uncompahgre Fritillary Butterfly

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Samatha Kruczek, Undergraduate, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado-Boulder:

Characterization and spatial analysis of scaly-leg mites in two chickadee species across an elevational gradient in the Colorado Front Range

Congratulations to our 2025 IPWA Paddon Gellhorn Grant Recipients!

Also, thank you to Patrick Lienin, for all of the behind-the-scenes work to coordinate the research grant program for IPWA! 

To learn more or apply for a grant for the upcoming year, visit our Research Grants page.