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Selected Projects
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Barrington Greenways Initiative Adaptive Management
Development of an adaptive management program to improve the ability of land managers and stewards to track changes in management sites over time. Includes a range of monitoring tiers, from volunteer-based weed scouting to the development of a mid-level Qualitative Rapid Assessment system, to quantitative floristic quality assessments. Supported by the Bobolink Foundation, 2019–present. |
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Deer Grove Science and Adaptive Management
Working with volunteers, restoration contractors, and non-profit organizations to conduct monitoring, incorporate the results into management planning, and perform on-site research that informs and improves best management practices. Supported by Openlands, 2020–present.
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Tall Goldenrod Management Study
Experimental tests of the effectiveness of two commonly used management techniques, mowing and interseeding, to control aggressive Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) in open oak woodlands, in collaboration with site stewards of the North Branch Restoration Project. Supported by the Illinois Native Plant Society, the Dr. Scholls Foundation, and the Woods and Prairie Foundation, 2020–21.
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Watersmeet Preserve Adaptive Management
Working with volunteers and land management staff to conduct wildlife and vegetation monitoring within a new management area, in order to track changes over time, incorporate the results into management planning, and support citizen science leadership. Supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in collaboration with Friends of the Forest Preserves and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, 2021.
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Chicago Wilderness Woods Audit
Designed and implemented systematic vegetation sampling across protected woodlands in five counties to provide a measure of woodland health in the region. With staff and volunteers of Audubon Chicago Region and the Illinois Natural History Survey, 2003.
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Amphibian Habitat Restoration
Developed and implemented management that restored ecosystem health and amphibian habitat within and around ephemeral ponds of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. With staff and volunteers of John G. Shedd Aquarium, 2015.
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Shrubland Bird Habitat Study
Combined research with restoration to provide habitat for shrubland birds while testing (and confirming) the viability of mowing patches into buckthorn thickets as a cost-effective restoration strategy. With staff and volunteers of Audubon Chicago Region, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, 2003.
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Salamander Habitat Research
Explored the terrestrial habitat needs of blue-spotted salamanders. With staff and volunteers of John G. Shedd Aquarium and the North Branch Restoration Project, 2018.
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Chicago Wilderness Grassland Audit
Designed and implemented systematic vegetation and bird sampling across protected grasslands in six counties to assess grassland habitat in the region. With staff and volunteers of Audubon Chicago Region, 2005.
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Community Planting of Lakefront Bird Habitat
Secured grant funding and organized 250 community volunteers to plant nearly 20,000 plants across six acres of former lawn at Gillson Park in Wilmette, IL, to create habitat for migrating birds. Organized ongoing bird monitoring to document habitat use. With Living Habitats, the Wilmette Park District, and the Ouilmette Foundation, 2016.
Data Analysis, Tinley Creek Wetland Bird Habitat
Developed monitoring protocols and analyzed data collected by field personnel to determine plant species composition of areas used by grassland birds within a newly-restored wetland complex. With Openlands, Living Habitats, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, 2017.
Cook County Land Audit
Designed and implemented systematic vegetation sampling within priority conservation lands of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, in order to measure restoration progress and identify resource needs. With staff and volunteers of Audubon Chicago Region, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, 2007.
Conservation Designs
Led a Chicago Wilderness coalition to develop Conservation Designs for grassland birds, oak woodlands, and savannah herpetofauna within the Chicago Wilderness region. With staff and volunteers of Audubon Chicago Region and Chicago Wilderness, 2002.
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