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 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.

Nachusa Science Symposium

The fifth annual Nachusa Grasslands Science Symposium, hosted by the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, will take place on October 20, 2019, at the Nachusa Headquarters Barn. Contact nachusafriendsscience@gmail.com for information on this year's event.

2018 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

2017 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

2016 Nachusa Science Symposium Poster and Speaker Abstracts

2016 Illinois Nature Conservancy
Science Report

Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Scientific Research Grants

To encourage scientific research at Nachusa, the 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 habitat management such as prescribed fire, seed collection, weed control, general or specific flora or faunal populations, and natural areas restoration.

For reference, the 2019 grant guidelines and application are posted on the Science Grants 2020 page, which will be updated in the late summer of 2019.

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

To ask questions about grant guidelines and application, contact nachusafriendsscience@gmail.com.

Friends 2019 Science Grants

Thanks to a 1:1 challenge grant and the generous support of individual donors, organizations, and foundations, Friends has awarded $38,218 for 2019-2020, divided in varying amounts among ten researchers.

See Science Grants 2019 for details on this year's grant recipients, projects, and award amounts.

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

• Science Grants 2018
• Science Grants 2017
• Science Grants 2016   
• Science Grants 2015
• Science Grants 2014
• Science Grants 2013/2012/2011

Nachusa RiverWatch

In 2014, a small group of Nachusa volunteers began the long–term monitoring of the four streams in the preserve using the protocols developed by The Illinois RiverWatch Network. RiverWatch is a statewide, non–profit program which trains volunteers to monitor indicators of stream quality.

See the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands PrairiE-Update "What We Do at Nachusa Grasslands – Stream Monitoring" for more information on the project.

UPDATED 01/2019