A seesaw approach to collaborative tallgrass prairie restoration at Nachusa Grasslands

The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands preserve is co-developing science and restoration practice. However, this collaboration reflects a see-saw approach rather than the metaphorical bridge between science and practice. Scientists and managers sit on opposite sides of a fulcrum, bringing different perspectives. Both see eye-to-eye on some topics, for example protecting populations of rare species. Sometimes, management needs take priority over science, such as removing invasive species which may alter community assembly. Other times, science takes the priority like framing management questions in broader theoretical contexts. The ups and downs of this teamwork propels both science and practice into new realms.