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.
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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 Nachusa Grasslands Science Symposium, co-sponsored by Friends of Nachusa Grasslands and The Nature Conservancy, took place in person at the Nachusa Headquarters on April 22, 2023. The next symposium is scheduled for April 20, 2024. 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.
Join Us in Supporting Science at Nachusa Grasslands
Donations to Friends of Nachusa Grasslands may be designated for Scientific Research Grants. |
Thanks to our supporters' generous donations and matching grants, the annual award amounts have increased from $1,000 when we began the program in 2011 to a maximum of $75,000 in 2024.
Maximum award amounts, guidelines and application forms are published on the 2024 Scientific Research Grants page. For summaries of previous years’ grant award projects, visit:
Friends 2025-2026 Science Grants
Information on the 2025-2026 grants will be available in the late summer of 2024. If you have questions about the program, contact: nachusafriendsscience@gmail.com. |
Join Our Nachusa Community Science Monitoring Programs
Nachusa’s community scientist teams are composed of volunteers who are passionate about their subject and want to contribute to scientific research.
Calling Frogs: Since 2012, community 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.
Nachusa’s community scientist teams are composed of volunteers who are passionate about their subject and want to contribute to scientific research.
Calling Frogs: Since 2012, community 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 09/2023