Science at Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa Grasslands encourages and facilitates leading-edge ecological and environmental research projects and hosts a number of ongoing scientific studies to enhance habitat management practices.

Learn more about Nachusa Grasslands' Ecosystem Restoration Scientist, Elizabeth Bach.

Research at Nachusa

Scientific investigation occurs all year at Nachusa Grasslands, ranging from informal restoration experiments by stewards in their units to Friends-supported academic studies throughout the preserve. The Nature Conservancy, foundations, colleges, and universities may also provide funding for various projects. All scientists must obtain permission to conduct research at Nachusa Grasslands. (Download Word permit application/liability waiver.)

Nachusa Science Symposium

The next Nachusa Grasslands Science Symposium, co-sponsored by Friends of Nachusa Grasslands and The Nature Conservancy, will take place on April 24, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be entirely online via Zoom. See Nachusa Grasslands Virtual Science Symposium 2021 for details and a registration form.

2019 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

2018 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

2017 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

2016 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Scientific Research Grants

To encourage scientific research at Nachusa, Friends of Nachusa Grasslands awards monetary grants to qualified academic scholars, graduate students, and independent researchers who are interested in studying topics relevant to the preserve.

Funded research projects focus primarily on prairie, savanna, wetland, woodland, and stream flora and faunal populations and/or habitat management such as prescribed fire, seed collection, weed control, and natural areas restoration.

See Potential Research Topics for a compilation of research topics and questions pondered by stewards and staff at Nachusa Grasslands.

Friends 2022 Science Grants

To receive information about the 2022 grant guidelines and application process that will be available in the late summer of 2021, please, contact nachusafriendsscience@gmail.com.

Join Us in Supporting Science at Nachusa Grasslands

Donations to Friends of Nachusa Grasslands may be designated for Scientific Research Grants.

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Friends 2021 Science Grants

For 2021-2022, Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Friends has awarded $47,810 divided in varying amounts among twelve qualified researchers.
The 2021 grant recipients, projects, and amounts are posted on the Science Grants 2021 page.

For summaries of previous years’ grant award projects, visit:

Etnyre Foundation Grant

E.D. Etnyre & Co., manufacturer of asphalt roadbuilding equipment in Oregon, Illinois, established the Etnryre Foundation in 2019. The mission of the Foundation is to provide financial support to 501(c)3 organizations and programs who through their actions in the areas of Education, Environmental Preservation, and Health and Welfare enhance the well-being of local communities. Friends of Nachusa Grasslands received a 2020 grant to support the Evidence-based Restoration Lab at Northern Illinois University's research on small mammals, grassland birds, and beetles, focusing on the impact of bison grazing and changes in plant composition.

Report from Holly Jones, Associate Professor, Northern Illinois University

Nachusa Citizen Science Monitoring Programs

Calling Frogs: Since 2012, citizen scientists at Nachusa Grasslands have been monitoring frogs and toads using the “Calling Frog Survey” protocol that was developed for the Chicago Wilderness Region. To learn more, visit the Calling Frog Monitoring page.

Dragonflies and Damselflies: Several volunteer dragonfly monitors report data to Nachusa Grasslands and the state of Illinois. For more information, go to the Dragonfly and Damselfly Monitoring page.

RiverWatch: Nachusa volunteers participate in the Illinois RiverWatch Network by monitoring the health of several preserve waterways. See the RiverWatch page for details.

UPDATED 02/2021