Tyler studies the ecology of natural communities and the rare plant species they support. Through a growing understanding of how they function, where they occur, why they occur there, and why they are important, his work informs the conservation and restoration of key elements of biodiversity in Michigan and beyond. His career as a botanist, ecologist, restoration practitioner, and land manager spans 20 years. With MNFI since 2018, he carries forward a broad knowledge of ecology and restoration, and in particular a passion for understanding and restoring the fragmented prairie-savanna landscapes of the upper Midwest.

TSN Conference 2026

• January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 10:15 am – 11:15 am // Red Cedar Room // The Restoration of Midwestern Oak Ecosystems // Oak ecosystems cover a broad zone from the Eastern deciduous forests to the Great Plains, including a mosaic of forests, woodlands, and savannas in southern Michigan. Unfortunately, these ecosystems and the species they support are imperiled due to fire suppression and other human-caused ecosystem changes. In turn, oak ecosystem restorations that employ prescribed fire and other management techniques are widespread. But, how well do these approaches work for achieving goals such as open canopy structure, oak regeneration, and high ground layer plant diversity? We provide an overview of Midwestern oak ecosystems, including their ecology and natural history, threats, and approaches to restoration. We then describe findings and ongoing projects from our research, evaluating the efficacy of different restoration approaches, including a multi-state survey and projects in southern Michigan. We conclude by considering what we view as important open questions in oak ecosystem restoration.

• January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 11:35 am – 12:35 pm // Room 104 // Delineation of Michigan Critical Dunes // Michigan has long recognized the importance of protecting its freshwater sand dunes. In response to development pressures and the recognition of the need to protect especially important dunes, the Michigan legislature passed the Sand Dunes Protection and Management law in 1989. Under this law and after approval by the legislature, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy designated critical dune areas (CDAs) in 1989 that would have special protections. From 2024-2025, EGLE contracted with GEI Consultants, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan Technological University, and Michigan State University to update the 1989 CDA atlas. The effort combined desktop reviews and field-based assessments to recommend additions, removals and corrections to the atlas based on geomorphological and ecological conditions. This presentation will provide an overview of the methodology used to assess the morphology, coastal processes, and ecology of Michigan’s dunes.