All of us at OTS are deeply grateful and excited to announce the bequest to OTS of $430,000 from the Francis Lynn Carpenter Trust. Lynn, a professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of California, Irvine, one of OTS’ permanent member institutions, was a central and fundamental figure in OTS for over 30 years, leading research at Las Cruces, shaping the lives of hundreds of OTS students, and continuing the legacy of the Wilson Botanical Garden.
Lynn’s scientific legacy includes her early research work on hummingbird behavior, ecology, and physiology, including research conducted on hummingbirds at and around Las Cruces. Later in her career, Lynn became concerned about the pace of forest destruction in southern Costa Rica and turned her efforts to pioneering research on restoration of the forests in the region.
This gift comes at a pivotal time, as OTS completes a new strategic plan and leans into initiatives, such as the Tropical Center for Restoration Science, that build on our powerful legacy and project OTS’ impact into the world. We celebrate her and this opportunity as we further her vision for OTS.