Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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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.
Donate VIA Credit Card or E-Check
Mail Your
Donation
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:
  • Science Grants 2020
  • Science Grants 2019
  • Science Grants 2018
  • Science Grants 2017
  • Science Grants 2016   
  • Science Grants 2015
  • Science Grants 2014
  • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011

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

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PRIVACY POLICY
© 2021 FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS
  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission and Leadership
    • Endowments
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Friends Annual Reports
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • 2020 Autumn on the Prairie – On Your Own
    • Visitor Center
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • Bison Viewing
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Autumn on the Prairie Festival 2020 Cancelled
    • Public Tours 2020 Cancelled
    • Pet Policy
    • Things to Do
    • Places to Eat and Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays
    • Workdays – November to February
    • Workday Email List
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Stewards and Staff
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Weekly Top Picks
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Links & Resources
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Symposium 2021 RSVP
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2020
      • Science Grants 2019
      • Science Grants 2018
      • Science Grants 2017
      • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2015
      • Science Grants 2014
      • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Science Symposium Abstracts >
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2019
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2018
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • Scientific Publications
    • Testimonials >
      • Dr. Holly Jones
      • Dr. Nick Barber
      • Kimberly Elsenbroek
    • Science Videos
    • Calling Frog Monitoring
    • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
    • Jobs
    • Hunting
    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • 30th Anniversary Memories
    • Websites of Interest
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
      • Visitor Photos
  • Contact Us / FAQs