Christopher Benda Email & Phone Number

Makanda, Il

I am largely self-employed but have appointments with the Illinois Natural History Survey at the Prairie Research Institute, the Plant Biology Department at Southern Illinois University, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Department at the University of Illinois. I also have current and past contracts with the Shawnee National Forest, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and The Morton Arboretum. I specialize in botanical inventories, quantitative sampling, natural areas tours, and botanical workshops.

Ozark, Illinois

I lead a variety of nature tours for Camp Ondessonk, including hiking tours for the Road Scholars program.

Lemont, Il

I conduct vegetation sampling at various sites around the world.

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois

I teach this 400 level course in the summer at Southern Illinois University. Students learn up to 350 species of vascular plants found in southern Illinois, ranging from forbs, grasses, ferns, trees, and sedges. We travel to beautiful natural areas and learn how to identify plants in their natural habitat.

Lisle, Illinois

I teach Tree Identification and Ecology in the fall and am developing a new course about Spring Woodland Wildflowers.

I work on a variety of projects including nominating new sites to the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, performing surveys for Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophea), and assessing natural community quality for the Forests Preserves of Cook County.

Ullin, Illinois

I taught General Biology, Physical Geography, Field Biology, and Human Biology in the spring and summer terms of 2012.

Carbondale, Illinois

I worked on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory in 19 counties in southern Illinois.

West Plains, Missouri

I assisted the Natural History Biologist with natural community classifications, rare species monitoring, and scientific research.

Ellington, Missouri

I worked as a field botanist for the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP).

Master'S Degree, Biology

Activities and Societies: Cycling Club

Bachelor'S Degree, Biology

Activities and Societies: Cycling Club, Green Club

Associate'S Degree, Automotive Technology