David Tillman and Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Biodiversity, Nature, Wildlife, Miscellaneous, Nature of Science, History of Science

Ed Hessler

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve which was once known as the Cedar Creek Natural History Area.

Stephanis Xenos has a great story on how one person, David Tilman transformed "the once "sleepy quiet place." He arrived in 1976 and it was love at first sight, leading him to change the nature of his research program. 

 

His goal was to "establish Cedar Creek as a long-term ecological research site before becoming director in 1992." In 2024 "he transitioned out of the role he held for three decades with plans to spend more time" conducting research and publishing the results.

Xenos's story includes a description of Tilman's career, what inspired his vision for Cedar Creek, the lessons he has learned, and his enormous legacy. 

Tillman observes that  “We are the most experimental ecological site in the world. I hope our future experiments continue to help us understand the environmental implications of our actions and policies. Our experiments are ‘time machines’ that allow us to peer into the future decades, helping us foresee where we are driving global environments.” 

The story may be read using this link.

About Tilman.

About Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. This site provides a history of Cedar Creek.

 

The UMN's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve home page.