Rachel Kaplan, the Samuel Trask Dana Professor of Environment and Behavior at the School of Natural Resources and Environment, has received the 2012 Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award. The annual award honors and encourages the efforts and accomplishments of University of Michigan faculty who serve as effective mentors of doctoral students. Recipients are recognized for service as adviser, teacher, advocate, sponsor and role model. Kaplan joined SNRE in 1973 as an associate professor and has been a professor since 1978. She has a dual appointment in the Department of Psychology within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. In 2000, her work was honored by the school when she was named the Samuel Trask Dana Professor.
U-M researchers at the School of Natural Resources and Environment will analyze the results of surveys given to about 120 veterans before and after upcoming six-day excursions. While scientific research increasingly shows a strong link between mental health benefits and the natural environment, the Sierra Club wanted to know if its programs, which are offered for free or at reduced costs, were producing the same results. Coordinating the research work at SNRE are Rachel Kaplan, the Samuel Trask Dana Professor of Environment and Behavior, and research scientist Jason Duvall.