Celebrating 25 Years of Recovering Species and Saving Ecosystems

Founded in Corvallis, Oregon in 1999, the Institute for Applied Ecology began with a clear mission: to conserve native species and habitats through restoration, research and education. What started as one full-time staff member with three seasonal botanists has evolved into a diverse team of nearly 65 professionals with expertise spanning habitat management, research and experimental design, restoration, education, and planning across two offices—our original Corvallis location and our Southwest office established in Santa Fe, New Mexico in May 2015. Our growth reflects something larger: the growth of the ecological restoration movement as a whole. Our 25th anniversary celebrates not just IAE’s growth and evolution, but the strengthening network of partnerships that make effective conservation possible.

Join us on September 20 to celebrate 25 years of ecosystem restoration across the West! Check out our new digs, and bring the whole family!

Open House Event Details

• When: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Where: Institute for Applied Ecology Prairie House, 4950 SW Hout St., Corvallis, OR 97333
• Cost: FREE and open to the public
• Who: IAE volunteers and donors, community members, families welcome!

Registration Not Required

Help us plan for food and activities by letting us know you’re coming!
Contact info@appliedeco.org with any inquiries.

Activities and Exhibits

Program Exhibits

Discover IAE’s conservation impact and explore our new headquarters:

• Restoration Barn: Learn about our prairie and sagebrush restoration projects
• Native Seed Shop: See how we clean native seed and grow native species for restoration sites
• Conservation Research Lightning Round Talks: Meet our scientists and learn about rare plant monitoring efforts
• Invasive Species Control Demonstrations: Learn about the tools and methods IAE uses to control invasive species

Also Provided

• Complimentary food and beverages
• Family-friendly conservation activities
• Live music throughout the afternoon
• Meet IAE staff, volunteers, and fellow conservation supporters

Open House Schedule and Map

This celebration also marks our establishment at Prairie House, our permanent headquarters made possible through community support over the last five years. Prairie House represents more than new facilities—it provides the foundation for expanding our capacity to serve as a resource for the ecological restoration community and to advance the scientific understanding necessary for effective conservation.

Our goal for the Prairie House is to better meet the global challenges we face—and foster a more dynamic conservation movement. With this facility, we can now grow plants for habitat restoration and recover endangered species more effectively. We have tripled the amount of native seeds we can produce. We can clean and store native seeds, and build our shared capacity for research and education. Our staff are supported in a safe and well-equipped hybrid work environment, and our organization is moving towards long-term financial sustainability through building a stable home for conservation.

Thank you to our donors, volunteers, and partners for your support and continued partnership!