2026 CEEEM Summer Research at Payne Hollow on the Ohio
The 2026 CEEEM Summer Research project at Payne Hollow on the Ohio will build upon the 2025 virtual reality (VR) documentation project to deepen understanding of the site’s ecological richness. Using drones and 360° cameras, student researchers will document the biodiversity and champion trees across Payne Hollow’s 130 protected acres—comprising the original 60-acre homesite of artists-naturalists Harlan and Anna Hubbard and an additional 70 acres recently acquired for permanent conservation. The project will update and expand the botanical and ecological inventories conducted by Deb White, retired state botanist with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, and ecologist Michael Gaige, whose Natural and Cultural Landscape Inventory Report established the first detailed baseline for the site.
Through aerial and ground-based imaging, the research team will map habitats, identify significant and old-growth trees, and create a georeferenced biodiversity record that integrates visual, spatial, and ecological data. Drones and 360° media will allow for repeatable, non-intrusive monitoring of forest health, riparian conditions, and habitat change over time—demonstrating how low-altitude aerial technologies can enhance biodiversity documentation and land management planning on small preserves. This approach will inform future management decisions for Payne Hollow and contribute to broader regional efforts to link art, culture, and conservation along the Ohio River.
A key outcome of this work will be the expansion of Payne Hollow’s virtual reality program to include an immersive biodiversity component. Students will transform drone and 360° field data into interactive learning experiences, allowing visitors and classrooms to explore Payne Hollow’s forests, streams, and champion trees virtually. The result will be both a scientific record and a public storytelling platform—connecting ecological research with environmental education and the legacy of the Hubbards’ harmony with nature.