Prairie and Native Plant Careers
Kara Tvedt
Fisheries Management Biologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
Springfield, MO
Where did you study and what was your major field of study?
Southwest Missouri State University/Missouri State University, B.S. Geography/Natural Resource Management. Minor: Biology.
Briefly describe your current job.
I currently work with communities, homeowners associations (HOAs), agencies and other partners to enhance fishing opportunities and aquatic habitat connections. I also work with landowners and partners on aquatic invasive species control and eradication efforts.
How do you use your native plant and/or prairie knowledge in your career today?
We are using native aquatic plants to restore habitats once impacted by aquatic invasives. We are also leaning into the use of native plants (those that prefer wet soils) to create floating wetlands. These systems provide a multitude of ecosystem connections, both terrestrial and aquatic. The benefits not only include water quality improvements but also pollinator and nesting habitat for many birds and insects, basking surface for reptiles, root habitat for larger phytoplankton-eating macroinvertebrates, and fish habitat.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your current work?
Seeing wildlife and fish respond to the new habitat created by use of native plants. Also, just as satisfying is the appreciation of landowners for the improved aquatic communities that they are seeing around their own impoundment.
What native plant/prairie classes or trainings were especially important to your career?
My appreciation of native plants came later in my career. The Department’s Aquatic Plant Management and Grassland courses along with working with our natural history biologists and wetland specialists helped me build a foundation on plant knowledge.
What other subjects have you studied that have been important to your career?
Spatial courses, such as mapping, and biogeography course work have been very helpful to make connections among landscapes.
Please describe volunteer or field work that was formative to your education and career.
Prairie stream inventories and riparian establishment projects allowed me to become more familiar with many native plants and see their connections to healthy aquatic habitats. However, my appreciation for them really grew after spending years battling aquatic invasives and then using native aquatics to recreate valuable habitat.
What materials and technology are must-haves for your field?
GPS units, cameras/underwater cameras, identification apps like Seek by iNaturalist.
What advice would you give students or others wanting to go into your field?
Be open minded to the opportunities that come your way. I never thought that I would be in a place where I had such an appreciation for plants and their role in aquatic systems.