Advancing ecological restoration

We aim to improve ecological restoration outcomes for society and nature through applied research and effective capacity building. We work in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems including temperate grasslands and woodlands and tropical forests.

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Lab News

Jan 2026 – Our Peters Mountain Mallow research was featured on RadioIQ! (Read more on Natural History of Ecological Restoration)

Nov 2025 – Congratulations to Sebastián Aparicio Vera for successfully defending this master’s thesis on the survival and growth of trees planted for forest restoration in the Ecuadorian Chocó!

Nov 2025 – Cecropia alumnus Chris Logan ’22 published a new paper in Tropical Conservation Science about tree planting on land burned by wildfire in Madagascar

Nov 2025 – New paper! How to mediate wildfire effects on tree planting projects in Madagascar. Open access at Restoration Ecology

Read the latest blog posts on
Natural History of Ecological Restoration

• Native Plant Seeding Solutions for High Disturbance Highway Roadsides
  January 6, 2026
  Wes Bollinger, a restoration ecologist, recommends strategies for enhancing roadside ecosystems through native species planting. His research identifies effective seeding practices and species, focusing on improving habitat quality and lowering maintenance costs. Projects reveal the ecological benefits of native vegetation in combating invasives and supporting biodiversity along Midwestern highways and roadsides.
• Peter’s Mountain Mallow – Back on the brink as it approaches its 100th anniversary
  December 5, 2025
  Peter's Mountain Mallow (Iliamna corei), one of the rarest plants globally, has dwindled to just five individuals as of 2025. Historically endangered, it relies on fire for seed germination and population revival. Despite recent declines due to drought, a dedicated new wave of researchers aims to restore and monitor this endangered species.
• The hidden half of tropical forest recovery 
  October 28, 2025
  By Leland Werden Leland Werden, PhD, is a Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich. lwerden@gmail.com I remember starting my PhD in 2012 with a strong desire to develop tools for recovering tropical forests around the world. My background was in ecosystem ecology, which had led me to spend time thinking about soil nutrient cycling and other belowground processes […]