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

Feb 2026 – Congratulations to Desiree Shelley for winning a prestigious SECASC Fellowship for 2026-2027!

Jan 2026 – Congratulations to Pika MacDougal for completing their masters thesis on the effects of prescribed fire on federally threatened small whorled pogonia orchids!

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

Read the latest blog posts on
Natural History of Ecological Restoration

• Reintroducing Kenya’s Threatened Trees and Shrubs in the Highlands Through Science and Community Action
  March 16, 2026
  The project led by Tobin Mutiso and Andrew Gichira focuses on restoring threatened plant species in Kenya through community engagement and targeted ecological practices. By developing propagation methods for 22 species and involving local communities in monitoring and seed collection, the initiative aims to enhance biodiversity while providing livelihood benefits and sustainable conservation solutions.
• From Soil Seed Banks to Seedlings: Deciphering the Natural Regeneration of Tropical Dry Forests in the Americas
  February 19, 2026
  By Viviana Londoño-Lemos Viviana Londoño-Lemos is a Ph.D. candidate with the Powers Lab in the Plant and Microbial Biology Program at the University of Minnesota. Email: vivianalondonolemos@gmail.com or londo074@umn.edu The tropical dry forest is a unique ecosystem that challenges many preconceived assumptions about the tropics. Unlike the iconic tropical rainforest, dry forests are highly seasonal, marked by distinct dry […]
• 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.