Hila Shamon

Smithsonian Institution

Dr. Hila Shamon serves as the Program Director for the Great Plains Science Program at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. She leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists based in Montana, specializing in grassland ecosystems. The program is dedicated to generating and sharing knowledge on how the Great Plains ecosystem responds to anthropogenic and climate changes, as well as advancing grassland restoration and rewilding efforts. Since its establishment in 2018, the Great Plains Science Program team has developed dozens of research projects and collaborations across multiple states, produced over 40 peer-reviewed articles, and mentored over 100 Smithsonian research fellows and interns. The program's research portfolio includes significant work on ecosystem functionality, habitat restoration, and the recovery of prairie species such as bison, swift fox, and black-footed ferrets.