Cindy Bennington has conducted ecological research in Alaska, West Virginia, New Jersey and Florida. At Stetson, she teaches ecological and botanical courses, actively engaging students in research on the ecology of Florida native plants. As a co-creator and co-manager of the Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem adjacent to the Gillespie Museum, she is an active proponent for the conservation of small urban habitat fragments that reflect a site’s historic natural history. In particular, her research addresses questions related to the conservation and management of Florida sandhill habitat and her teaching engages undergraduates in management and educational outreach related to this declining ecosystem.