Brendan is currently a master’s student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, focusing on invasive species management in wetland ecosystems. He graduated from Bucknell University, where his studies included research on Microcystis. Brendan contributed to monitoring wetland invasives, particularly non-native Typha species, and has updated invasive species maps for Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum properties. He also led the second year of a repeat-cut experiment aimed at managing invasive Typha without herbicides and collected

TSN Conference 2026

January 23rd, 2026 (Friday) // 11:55 am – 12:20 pm // Room 103 // Ecological Inventory and Monitoring for Biodiversity Conservation // Inventory and monitoring are essential components of adaptive management, providing key metrics to guide management decision-making for biodiversity conservation. For effective management, land managers need to be aware of biodiversity as well as shifts in ecosystem dynamics. However, managers often make decisions with limited data. To rectify this, we designed and implemented a replicable inventory and monitoring protocol based on the needs of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA). Our protocol includes mapping and monitoring invasive plants, conducting experimental oak plantings, and performing a Floristic Quality Assessment in a prairie managed with prescribed fire. We also utilize bioblitzes and iNaturalist to assist with insect inventory on the properties. Overall, our ecological inventory and monitoring efforts provide crucial data for informing land management decisions at MBGNA and other conservation organizations across southeast Michigan.