M.S. Biology, University of Akron (Ohio)
Graduate certificates in Environmental Studies and Technical Education

B.G.S., General Studies/Pre-Medicine
Kent State University (Ohio)

Illinois Experts Profile

INTERESTS: Wetland and prairie ecology and community dynamics. GIS land and watershed analyses. Ecological restoration. Community science outreach. Sustainable agriculture. 

RESEARCH: Many landscapes within the Midwest U.S. have lost high percentages of historical wetlands and prairies due to human activities. GIS and other technologies, paired with long-term datasets, can aid in mapping appropriate restoration placement and practices. Building bridges to policymakers and engaging in science education outreach to communities enhances relevance of research. 

 Sample of Current Research Projects:

• Developing ‘wetland restoration potential’ mapping using advanced GIS techniques
• Building predictive models utilizing the extensive 35+ year INHS wetlands dataset, laying the groundwork for integrating AI/ML into wetland research
• Analyzing land use practices and transportation corridors in support of species and habitat conservation, especially for the state-threatened rattlesnake master borer moth (Papaipema eryngii) and associated plant (Eryngium yuccifolium) populations
• Assessing federal wetland policy changes and implications to Illinois wetlands to inform state-level stream and wetland policy decisions
• Fostering collaborations for developing GK-12 student learning metrics for place-based science outreach

Developing a state wetland inventory - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/60c3853a8f2b49d1a181a6162e901171. Developing place-based learning opportunities https://publish.illinois.edu/wetland-program/community-engagement/dater-montessori-school/. Developing state 'wetland restoration potential' mapping that reflects variation in watershed characteristics  PowerPoint Presentation (wisconsinwetlands.org)
 

I have been lead author on over 96 Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) wetland delineation and monitoring projects and reports submitted for regulatory compliance. I have also assisted with over 161 additional IDOT projects and reports.

Molano-Flores, B., P. Dickerson, S. McIntyre, J. Nieset, and C.H. Dietrich. 2024. A three-year survey of the rare stem-boring moth Papiapema eryngii. Natural Areas Journal. 44(1): 21-26. Volume 44 Issue 1 | Natural Areas Journal (illinois.edu)

Davis, O., Molano-Flores, B.,  Li, Y.,, Allen,M., Davis, M.,  Mengelkoch, J., Parkos III, J., Porreca, A., Fournier, A., Tiemann, J.,  Bried, J., Marcum, P., Carroll-Cunningham, C., Janssen, E., Ulaszek, E., McIntyre, S., Price, E., Nieset, J., Beveroth, T., Di Giovanni A., Askren,R., Malanchuk, L., Duquette, J., Dreslik, M., McElrath, T., Stodola, K., Malcom, J., Carter, A., Evansen, M., and L. Gerber. 2024. Tracking Species Recovery Status to Improve Endangered Species Act Decisions. Conservation Science and Practice 6 (8) e13159. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13159

Contributed to INHS Technical Report 2015 (32) Conservation of the Illinois Flora: A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of 73 Plant Species. Prepared by: J. Baty, D. Zaya, G. Spyreas, B. Molano-Flores, and T. Benson. https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/items/89622 

Nieset, J. 2022. Volo Bog State Natural Area (Ingleside, Illinois) – Exemplar of Bog Succession.  Wetland Science & Practice. April, 40 (2), 157-161. April 2022 Wetland Science & Practice

Nieset, J. 2022. Cuatrociénegas Wetlands (Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico).  Wetland Science & Practice. January, 40 (1), 98-99. January 2022 Wetland Science & Practice 

Drinkard, M., Kershner, M., Romito, A., Nieset, J, and De Szalay, F.  2011. Responses of Plants and Invertebrate Assemblages to Water Level Fluctuation in Headwater Wetlands. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 30(4):981-996. 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1899/10-099.1

Special Projects and Outreach    

Spearheaded and collaborated with local groups for “Celebrate Wetlands Month” programming April 2022, 2023, and 2024. Events included public programs (spring wetland ecology hike, wetland photography display, land management activities at volunteering at parks). Programming for local elementary students and homeschool group of pre-K – middle school students. Collaborators, which have developed / increased during these years include: Urbana Park District, Ascend Art 360, Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Urbana School District #116, Society of Wetland Scientists, PRI INHS, ISWS, ISTC, UIUC Dept. of Entomology, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology., and PRI Center for Paleontology. 

• Coordinated INHS Seminar to have Dr. Kongnso Edith Wiylahnyuy from University of Bamenda, Cameroon: Wetland Management in Cameroon: Challenges and Prospects - Illinois Media Space  
• Ascending Art 360 created a webpage about wetlands and our outreach together, 2022: Waters — Ascending Aesthetic
• Wetland talks and hike at Weaver Park. 2022. YouTube video (filmed and edited by Kuldeepa Mehta): Wetlands talks and Hike at weaver park - YouTube
• Nieset, J. Led Wetland Ecology hike and Asclepias incarnata planting at St. Joseph Wetland Educational Outreach Event in collaboration with the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District, July 10, 2021.
• Nieset, J., E. Miernicki, L. Carr and K. Carr. 2021. Wetland Wonders virtual program at Urbana Free Library, Urbana, IL. April 24, 2021.
• Nieset, J., “Wetland Plants Help Clean Water” as part of U.N. Water Day activities with the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Led 8 half-hour virtual sessions for Illinois 5^th graders. March 22-23, 2021.
• Nieset, J. 2020. Led Plant ID walk at Weaver Park, Urbana, IL. Supporting the Society of Wetland Scientists Student Chapter at UIUC September 26, 2020.
• Nieset, J. 2019. Native Plant Hike for supporting the Urbana Park District Bioblitz. Gave advice and coordinated organization of vegetation data for the Bioblitz. September 27-28, 2019.
• Nieset, J. 2019. Exploring Asteraceae – Half-Day Plant Identification Workshop and Hike. Open to the public, supporting the UIUC Student Association of SWS NCC. September 7, 2019.
• Wetland Wonders program at Urbana Free Library. Collaborated with staff from INHS and ISGS. April 7, 2019.
• Nieset, J., 2018. Cultural and ecological importance of native Midwestern plants, highlighting nine plants. UIUC Spurlock Summer Sundays program.  Exhibit and program.  August 26, 2018.
• Nieset, J. “Seed Saving I: Collecting native plant seeds at the UIUC Pollinatarium prairie”. Talk, hike, and seed collection for local Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners.  August 2016, Urbana, IL.                                         
• Initiated and coordinated a schoolyard wetland project at Dater Montessori School, Cincinnati, Ohio, competed September 2012.  Students assisted with wetland construction and rotated through five stations to learn about aspects of wetland ecology and watershed issues.  Recruited financial and in-kind donations to cover costs and supplies. This wetland continues to be an important outdoor teaching aid in an urban community. https://publish.illinois.edu/wetland-program/community-engagement/dater-montessori-school/