Although the disciplines of science and art are often placed on opposite ends on the continuum of ways of knowing, the two approaches share many goals and activities, including observing and recording nature; moving an audience to gain a deeper awareness, understanding, and appreciation for nature; and sharpening technical skills. Science and art can also complement each other in the service of conservation and restoration, as effective communication materials should comprise both scientifically sound information and an aesthetic or emotional appeal from the artistic eye and ear. In the last decade, ecological scientists and artists (painters, creative writers, dancers, poets) have participated in projects that have consciously brought together representatives of these different disciplines to enhance ecological research, art, and conservation. We gather some of these scientists and artists and alternate their roles as speakers to describe the experiences that enhanced their own professional work and influenced restoration and conservation. The session will present a diverse range of projects, from one-on-one encounters between single artist and single scientist, to large-scale expeditions that harnessed the expertise of over 50 researcher/artists. Speakers will discuss how to evaluate the results of these joint efforts in terms of collaborative scientific products and artistic creations, and through individual creative work. The central questions we raise include: how can ecologists effectively harness the “way of knowing” and communication abilities of artists and creative writers to enhance restoration and conservation efforts? Have these efforts produced useful content and communication products? How can we maximize conservation and restoration results from such partnerships? Although scientists and non-scientists have often interacted (e.g., for science education, citizen science projects), this session is a rare opportunity to hear perspectives of both scientists and artists in their own voices.