Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science & Action
@negauneeinstitute.bsky.social
Chicago Botanic Garden’s center for plant conservation science. Preventing extinctions. Supporting resilient landscapes. Training the next generation.
In recent years, there has been a return of fire to the land to help maintain thriving, diverse natural areas. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to remember the rich history of Indigenous land stewardship which long predates the modern field of ecology.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
In recent years, there has been a return of fire to the land to help maintain thriving, diverse natural areas. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to remember the rich history of Indigenous land stewardship which long predates the modern field of ecology.
The expansion of permanent settlements and agriculture led to fire suppression, leaving remaining natural areas disconnected from each other and the processes that keep them healthy.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
The expansion of permanent settlements and agriculture led to fire suppression, leaving remaining natural areas disconnected from each other and the processes that keep them healthy.
Indigenous Peoples in the Midwest set fires for hunting, managing resources, and more. The fires disappeared as the US government and settlers violently removed the Indigenous Peoples stewarding the land.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Indigenous Peoples in the Midwest set fires for hunting, managing resources, and more. The fires disappeared as the US government and settlers violently removed the Indigenous Peoples stewarding the land.
Burning clears accumulated dead plant material and returns nutrients to the soil more quickly, and the darkened ground absorbs more heat from the sun. In the spring, these conditions help seeds germinate and give established plants a head start.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Burning clears accumulated dead plant material and returns nutrients to the soil more quickly, and the darkened ground absorbs more heat from the sun. In the spring, these conditions help seeds germinate and give established plants a head start.
When woody plants encroach on prairies and open oak woodlands, they reduce the amount of sunlight available and crowd out plants that need a lot of sunlight. Prescribed burns can help prevent this.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
When woody plants encroach on prairies and open oak woodlands, they reduce the amount of sunlight available and crowd out plants that need a lot of sunlight. Prescribed burns can help prevent this.
Though we might think of fire as destructive, it plays an important role in maintaining the prairie and oak woodland ecosystems at the Garden.
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Though we might think of fire as destructive, it plays an important role in maintaining the prairie and oak woodland ecosystems at the Garden.
This research aims to support the development of more sustainable perennial crop systems and the restoration of degraded prairies. Read more about the work of the BII below.
New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute
Advancing the understanding of diverse perennial systems in nature and agriculture
newroots.squarespace.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This research aims to support the development of more sustainable perennial crop systems and the restoration of degraded prairies. Read more about the work of the BII below.
🌼 Groups of prairie plants with different levels of diversity are grown in another set of plots to evaluate how their traits vary with plant community composition and across soil conditions. Their influence on the soil ecosphere is measured as well.
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🌼 Groups of prairie plants with different levels of diversity are grown in another set of plots to evaluate how their traits vary with plant community composition and across soil conditions. Their influence on the soil ecosphere is measured as well.
🌾 In Mettawa, Kernza (a perennial intermediate wheatgrass) is grown with alfalfa, testing a vision of sustainable agriculture that has greater diversity, with reduced inputs.
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🌾 In Mettawa, Kernza (a perennial intermediate wheatgrass) is grown with alfalfa, testing a vision of sustainable agriculture that has greater diversity, with reduced inputs.
This information can enhance breeding of perennial crops and improve selection of biodiverse plants for restoration projects.
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This information can enhance breeding of perennial crops and improve selection of biodiverse plants for restoration projects.
Through a broad range of projects, researchers investigate variation in perennial plants’ aboveground and belowground traits, as well as their interaction with surrounding plants and the soil environment.
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Through a broad range of projects, researchers investigate variation in perennial plants’ aboveground and belowground traits, as well as their interaction with surrounding plants and the soil environment.
The BII is a collaboration of over 100 scientists from nine academic institutions, including @ChicagoBotanic, conducting interdisciplinary research to improve our understanding of perennial plant systems in agriculture and nature.
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The BII is a collaboration of over 100 scientists from nine academic institutions, including @ChicagoBotanic, conducting interdisciplinary research to improve our understanding of perennial plant systems in agriculture and nature.
Here, researchers have spent the summer collecting plant trait data, harvesting biomass, and doing lots and lots of weeding, with the help of a great team of volunteers.
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Here, researchers have spent the summer collecting plant trait data, harvesting biomass, and doing lots and lots of weeding, with the help of a great team of volunteers.
Dr. Love's work aims to advance scientifically sound urban greening initiatives to help combat the challenges of climate change.
Read the full paper here:
Read the full paper here:
academic.oup.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Dr. Love's work aims to advance scientifically sound urban greening initiatives to help combat the challenges of climate change.
Read the full paper here:
Read the full paper here:
Natalie Love’s research combines methods like remote sensing, field work, and population genetics to investigate the spatial distribution of plants in cities and leverage urban biodiversity for conservation.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Natalie Love’s research combines methods like remote sensing, field work, and population genetics to investigate the spatial distribution of plants in cities and leverage urban biodiversity for conservation.
🌸Species traits, especially those related to reproduction, may also influence genetic diversity within a species.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🌸Species traits, especially those related to reproduction, may also influence genetic diversity within a species.
🏞️ Management choices can determine the genetic diversity of urban tree populations. Growing trees from seed collected across a range of high-diversity wild populations helps maintain more diverse populations.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🏞️ Management choices can determine the genetic diversity of urban tree populations. Growing trees from seed collected across a range of high-diversity wild populations helps maintain more diverse populations.
🌳 Some species, like Kentucky coffeetree, which are ubiquitous in urban forests, may be threatened by extinction or extinct in the wild, and others harbor higher genetic variation than their wild counterparts.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🌳 Some species, like Kentucky coffeetree, which are ubiquitous in urban forests, may be threatened by extinction or extinct in the wild, and others harbor higher genetic variation than their wild counterparts.
🌲 Genetic diversity of urban forests varies widely—though most cities aim to plant a broad range of tree species, they don’t always focus on maximizing genetic diversity within a species.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🌲 Genetic diversity of urban forests varies widely—though most cities aim to plant a broad range of tree species, they don’t always focus on maximizing genetic diversity within a species.
In fact, a recent paper from @ChicagoBotanic scientist Natalie Love, Ph.D. proposes that strategic management of urban forests could make them a useful resource for conserving trees in the wild.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
In fact, a recent paper from @ChicagoBotanic scientist Natalie Love, Ph.D. proposes that strategic management of urban forests could make them a useful resource for conserving trees in the wild.
This project was a partnership between @hostplantnetwork and @naturalhabitatevanston
Check out the full paper below!
Check out the full paper below!
Community engagement in urban habitat creation for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) indicates the potential of conservation in private yards
Urban residential yards can provide flowering resources for pollinators, including the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis). We create…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This project was a partnership between @hostplantnetwork and @naturalhabitatevanston
Check out the full paper below!
Check out the full paper below!