Nachusa Grasslands Science Symposium 2023 

Registration is closed for this event.

Saturday, April 22; 8:30 am

The eighth annual Nachusa Science Symposium hosted by the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands and The Nature Conservancy will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Nachusa Grasslands Headquarters.

We are delighted to return to an in-person symposium in 2023! We welcome you to hear from fifteen researchers doing work at Nachusa this year, including several recipients of Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Scientific Research Project Grants. The day will include seven oral presentations followed by a brief question and answer session. New this year, the eight poster presenters will also present 5-minute speed talks!
 
The day includes breaks and a lunch during which researchers, volunteers, donors, and TNC staff can mingle and discuss.
 
The doors will open at 8:30 am for check-in and a few morning refreshments. At 9:20 am, Dr. Elizabeth Bach, Nachusa Grasslands Ecosystem Restoration Scientist, will welcome the audience. Presentations will begin at 9:30 am.

A casual lunch will be provided after the morning presentations. The afternoon presentations should be completed by 2:30 pm. Optional bison tour or hiking on the prairie will follow for those interested.
 
The symposium is generously supported by donors to the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands.
 
Everyone is welcome to attend this free event, but the RSVP below is required to make sure that food and seating needs can be adequately arranged. As our meeting space is limited, if we reach the attendance limit before we receive your reservation, you will be notified.

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2023 Nachusa Grasslands Science Symposium

8:30 – 9:20 am: Registration and welcome
9:20 – 9:30 am: Prairie Influencers, Elizabeth Bach, PhD
 
Trophic Connectors – linking plants and animals
9:30-9:50 – Erin Rowland-Schaefer (NIU)
9:50-10:10 – Rob Jean (Environmental Solutions & Innovations)
10:10-10:30 – Laurie Spencer (NIU)
 
10:30-11:00 – Break
 
Ecosystem Engineers – outsized influence
11:00-11:20 – Jesse Sikora (NIU)
11:20-11:40 – Josh Klostermann (University of Missouri)
11:40-12:20 – 5-minute talks for posters

• Gavin McNicol (UIC)
• Emily Galloway (Miami University)
• Andrea Colton (UIUC/INHS)
• Mariah Morales (UIC)
• Molly Carlson (UIUC/INHS)
• Matt Von Konrat (The Field Museum)
• Jennifer Schultze and Ashley McDonald (SIUC)

 
12:20-1:30 – Lunch + posters (presenters will be present at posters 1-1:30pm)
 
Belowground Influencers
1:30-1:50 – Sarah Khoury (UIC)
1:50-2:10 – Reb Bryant (University of Kansas)
2:10-2:30 – Jennifer Bell (NIU)
 
Additional Posters:

• Rich King (NIU)
• Cindy Crosby (Nachusa Steward)
• Kathryn Bloodworth – can’t attend in person (University of North Carolina – Greensboro)
• Cariad Williams – can’t attend in person (UIUC/INHS)

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If you are interested in the scientific research that is being done at Nachusa and would like to give a gift to support the program, please consider making a designated donation today.

You can also mail a check with “Friends Fund for Science” or "Friends Endowment for Nachusa Science" written on the memo line to:  Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031.