Native Prairie Plant Display on Campus

Presenter Information

Brandon Brooks, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jaydon Rueckert, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jeffrey Rosamond, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow
Stacey Allen, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

9-4-2012 1:00 PM

End Date

9-4-2012 2:00 PM

Student's Major

Geography, Biological Sciences

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Philipp Nagel

Mentor's Department

Geography

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second Mentor's Name

Forrest Wilkerson

Second Mentor's Department

Geography

Second Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Using native plant species in landscaping projects has become a very popular approach in private, commercial, as well as public spaces. We are introducing four prairie plant species native to Minnesota which include little bluestem, purple prairie clover, prairie dropseed, and leadplant; to a designated site located behind gage towers along the walking path on campus. Our primary focus is to create an outdoor space that will have important environmental as well as aesthetic benefit, and to provide a learning opportunity for community members and students. Long and short term monitoring and evaluation of this project will be assessed by future biogeography students; to ensure the ecology of the site is stable. Sufficient data will be provided to help develop future landscaping plans that can then be implemented in other areas on and off of campus.