Restoration

Restoration of degraded rangelands and reclamation of lands disturbed through energy development and other activities promote natural processes that lead to sustainable and resilient ecosystems. Across the state, stakeholders discussed many aspects of restoration including how to improve the success of plantings and revegetation, and availability (in terms of quantity and affordability) and use of seeds from diverse species in restoration. Stakeholders identified needs for coordination of additional research, continued work on communication via education and outreach, and improved collaboration related to rangeland restoration.   

Project list

Ecological succession as a guide for restoration and plant materials development

Project Leads: Derek Tilley* (NRCS), Jason Karl (UI-CNR), April Hulet (BYU), Shaun Bushman (USDA-ARS), Stephen Love (UI-CALS), Charles Goebel (UI-CNR) 

Restoration Assessment and Documentation

Project Leads: Eric Winford (UI-CNR), Jason Karl (UI-CNR) 

Evaluating and prioritizing public lands for large-scale native riparian forest regeneration

Project Leads: Andrew Tranmer (UI-COE), Eric Winford (UI-CNR) 

Publications

Visit the University of Idaho VERSO page for a full list of restoration publications from Rangeland Center Members

  • Soutinho, J. G., Carvalho, J., Matos, M., Grosso-Silva, J. M., Moreira-Pinhal, T. C., Rego, C., Ferreira, S., Abreu, J. G., Gonçalves, A. R., Ceia, H., Fonseca, C., Rufino, C., Müller, J., Vierling, K. T., Vierling, L. A., & Gonçalves, J. (2025). Conserving saproxylic flagship species by complementing 150 years of natural history with citizen science data—the case of the stag beetles (Lucanidae, Coleoptera) of Portugal. Biodiversity and Conservation, . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02961-3
  • Shinneman, D. J., McIlroy, S. K., Poessel, S. A., Downing, R. L., Johnson, T. N., Young, A. C., & Katzner, T. E. (2023). Ecological effects of pinyon-juniper removal in the Western United States—A synthesis of scientific research, January 2014–March 2021 (, Ill.). U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231041
  • Archer, D., Toledo, D., Blumenthal, D. M., Derner, J., Boyd, C., Davies, K., Hamerlynck, E., Sheley, R., Clark, P., Hardegree, S., Pierson, F., Clements, C., Newingham, B., Rector, B., Gaskin, J., Wonkka, C. L., Jensen, K., Monaco, T., Vermeire, L. T., & Young, S. L. (2023). Invasive annual grasses-Reenvisioning approaches in a changing climate. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 78(2), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.2489/jSWC.2023.00074\
  • Tilley, D., Hulet, A., Bushman, S., Goebel, C., Karl, J., Love, S., & Wolf, M. (2022). When a weed is not a weed: succession management using early seral natives for Intermountain rangeland restoration. Rangelands, 44(4), 270–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2022.05.001