Science in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota
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Dr. Susan Galatowitsch (left) and Master's student Genevieve Brand at Glacial Ridge. © Meredith Cornett/TNC
Research at Glacial Ridge
The Nature Conservancy is collaborating with scientists from the University of Minnesota to assess the success of revegetation at Glacial Ridge.
A 24,500 acre project, Glacial Ridge poses challenges both for restoration and monitoring.
Fortunately, Dr. Susan Galatowitsch, Professor of Horticulture and Co-Chair of the Conservation Biology Program at the University, welcomed the opportunity to think big.
The Conservancy developed methods for assessing vegetation recovery across tens of thousands of acres through a Master Planning process and tested the approach at Glacial Ridge in 2007. Dr. Galatowitsch and Master's student Genevieve Brand refined and enhanced the protocol in 2008.
After a successful field season, Glacial Ridge is on its way to serving as a model not only of large-scale restoration, but also the role of solid ecological assessments for adaptive management.
Read more articles in our science sidebar archive.
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Phil Gerla monitors water quality at Pigeon Point in the Sheyenne Delta
of North Dakota © TNC
Science plays a leading role in conservation planning, monitoring and applied research for the local chapters of the Conservancy. Scientific information helps to inform effective strategies and measure our successes. Our chapter’s highest priorities for scientific research emerge from and support our local land management activities.
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