restortion plan

Prairie Restoration

Corbin Beall: [email protected]

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Marian University

Nina Mason Pulliam

EcoLab

Prairie Restoration


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Project Introduction and Background:

Information on the Organization:

The Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab property is a 55-acre natural area on the

campus of Marian University in Indianapolis, IN. Environmental restoration began

100 years ago when James Allison hired Jens Jensen as a landscape architect.

Since then, Marian students, K-12 school groups, and the general public has

continued to care for the EcoLab. Marian University students and faculty use it in

their classes as a site for hands-on experiences in the natural environment along

with undergraduate research and internships. They also host science programs

for all ages to increase knowledge and appreciation for the environment.

Mission for Project:

The Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab encourages exploration of science and

stewardship of the environment. This project is to restore the recreational turf

grass to a prairie to diversifying the flora and fauna of the EcoLab. Installing

native plant species will diversify the animal and plant species while bringing a

more eye-catching, natural look to the area. By successfully restoring this area;

insects, pollinators, and monarchs will thrive. This area would be used to

educate the public on how a prairie could be resorted, while giving a beautiful

landscape to anyone touring the EcoLab for recreational use.

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General Information:

The site is located on the Campus of Marian

University in the south part of the Nina Mason

Pulliam EcoLab in Indianapolis, IN. It is

bordered by the Access Road to the

northeast, the Jenson North Shore Trail to the

south, and the Rustic Trail to the west seen in

figure 1 to the right. Figure 2 shows the 4.36

acres of turf grass surrounded by beautiful

habitat types such as wetlands, prairies, bluffs,

and lowland forests.

Figure 1. Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab

Figure 2. Area of turf grass in EcoLab

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An aerial photograph of the site is

seen in figure 3. This shows

Crooked Creek flowing from the

north to south, then curving

towards the east and Cold Spring

Road. The prairie is just south of the

site followed by the main pond

separating it from the escarpment.

Much of this area was turned into agriculture during the 19th century from its

natural deciduous forest like most of central Indiana at that time.

History of the Site:

The EcoLab got its topography from the latest glacier period about 12,000 years

ago. The glacier deposited till multiple times within its impervious layer which

created the Tipton Till Plain that makes up Central Indiana. The post-glacier

flooding carved out the steep escarpment that exposed the impervious layer

where the springs flow through. A vast area of deciduous forest covered the

land with dominant species such as Sugar Maple, American Beech, Ash,

Hickory, and Oak up until the 19th century when it was converted to an

agricultural field for farming. It remained this way until James Allison bought the

area in 1910 and hired Jens Jensen to restore the land. Jensen was innovative in

restoring the land with native natural groupings of species, man-made lakes,

wetland areas, and large meadows. Jensen used native plants such as Hard

Figure 3. Aerial Photograph of EcoLab Site

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Maple, Witch Hazel, Sagittaria, Hibiscus Moscheutos, Hawthorn, Elderberry, and

Dogwood to bring alive this beautiful landscape. Allison maintained this

landscape until his death in 1928 which then was acquired by the Sisters of St.

Francis of Oldenburg in 1937. As Marian College expanded, the desire for using

the EcoLab for educational purposes also grew. By the spring of 2000, restoration

efforts were conducted by Marian College led by Dr. David Benson to revive

Jensen’s vision of the area. Invasive species such as honeysuckle, bittersweet,

and buckthorn occupied much of the EcoLab which required to be removed.

These exhausting efforts along with several large planting projects have made

the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab the wonderful natural area it is today, where

children and students can learn to explore and care for the environment.

Figure 4. Jens Jensen's Plan for EcoLab

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Major Features:

The major areas surrounding the project site consist of the bluff, the wetlands,

the lowland forest, and the

prairie. The bluff is located in

the south part of the EcoLab

and consist of Hennepin fine

loam soil seen in figure 5 and

6. This soil is deep and well

drained and is low in organic

matter. It has a rapid runoff

due to a high moisture

capacity and moderate permeability which

makes it susceptible to erosion. It ranges from

light to deep shade along the bluff. Black

Walnut, Sugar Maple, Basswood, White Ash,

and Hackberry make up the canopy for the

shaded bluff. The shrub layer consists natives

such as Wild Hydrangea, Elderberry,

Greenbrier, Riverbank Grape, and Forest Grape along with non-native species

such as Privet, Common Buckthorn, and Oriental Bittersweet. Restoration efforts

continue to reduce these non-native species from invading. The Lowland Forest

Figure 6. Description of Soils

Figure 5. Shows the elevation, soil type, and trails of the

EcoLab

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that borders the site to the west and the north consist of Sloan silt loam also

depicted in figures 4 and 5. This soil is deep and well drained with low organic

matter with a slow runoff. It is vulnerable to flooding and has a pH range from 6.8

to 8.6. Dominant trees such as Green Ash, Boxelder, White Mulberry, Sycamore,

and Cottonwood frame the lowland forest. Honeysuckle and garlic mustard are

invasive to this area which contribute to the continual restoration and

maintenance of the area. The project site is constructed of Udorthents, cut and

filled soil. This soil is assembled by different types of soil that was dug up and

deposited in this area. The pH ranges deom 8.4 to 8.8. This area has abundant

sunlight and is exposed to flooding from Crooked Creek to the north. The turf

grass was implemented in the 60’s and 70’s for practice fields for the sports

teams. The prairie around the site consists of grasses such as Fall Panicum, Old

Witch Grass, Yellow Foxtail, Giant Foxtail, Barnyard Grass, and Small Love Grass.

Other plants in these area are Reed Canary grass, False Sunflower, Autumn

Sneezeweed, and Canada Goldenrod. Japanese Honeysuckle, White Sweet

Clover, English Plantain, Yellow Sweet Clover, and Wintercreeper are invasive to

the area and disturb the natural habitat. Figure 6 shows the topography of the

project site as flat while showing the surrounding features having elevation

change.

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Environmental Restoration

The EcoLab is home to a wide variety of healthy landscapes and habitats. By restoring

the turf grass area to a medium-stature prairie, it will contribute to the diversification of

the area. Insects, monarch, and birds will be attracted to the improved environment.

The prairie will enhance the amount rain water retained and allow for visitors to observe

the diverse landscapes surrounding this area. There are three steps that need to be

completed to ensure a healthy and thriving prairie. The first step would be to remove

the turf grass so that seed can be planted. This can be done by spraying 2% roundup

and allowing the grass to die off during the fall season. The second step would be to

use a seed drill to plant the seeds throughout the landscape. The third step would be to

manage the prairie. This can be done by spraying and removing invasive species and

performing a controlled burn on the area every couple years. This will kill off any of the

woody species from inhabiting the prairie while aiding to the natural process of the

prairie landscape. There are invasive and disruptive species found in the EcoLab and

specifically in the prairie landscape south of the project site that take top priority when

managing the landscape. In order to have a flourishing prairie, an extensive seed mix

must be dispersed after the turf grass has been killed and removed. The 4.36-acre

project site receive abundant sunlight and includes a cut and fill soil type containing

loamy sand, sandy clay, sandy loam, clay, and sandy loam clay soils. The hydrology

throughout the site varies some dry to wet. These characteristics are vital in determining

a seed mix that will blossom into a vibrant prairie. Wild Ryes will be used for early cover

during the prairie’s youth. Sedges will be used as a long-term cool season component

and Prairie dropseed and Little bluestem will be the dominant graminoids.

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Prairienursery.com helped in constructing this extensive seed mix that contains 40%

grasses and 60% forbs.

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Forbs Common Name Moisture Soil Benefits Height % of Mix # seeds needed Seeds/lbs lbs seeds/sqft Price

Allium cernuum Nodding Pink Onion Medium, Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Deer Resistant 1'-2' 2 379,842 136,000 2.8 2 630.00$

Asclepias incarnata Red Milkweed Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Deer Resistant 3'-5' 2 379,842 88,000 4.3 2 1,290.00$

Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Hummingbirds 2'-4' 2 379,842 100,800 3.8 2 1,140.00$

Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Butterflies, Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant 2'-3' 0.5 94,960 70,000 1.4 0.5 840.00$

Aster azureus Sky Blue Aster Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Butterflies,Pollinators, Birds 2'-3' 7 1,329,447 1,312,000 1.0 7 300.00$

Aster novae-angliae New England Aster Medium, Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 3'-6' 5 949,605 1,600,000 0.6 5 270.00$

Aster laevis Smooth Aster Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 2'-4' 3 569,763 880,000 0.6 3 180.00$

Baptisia australis Blue False Indigo Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies 3'-5' 0.5 94,960 47,680 2.0 0.5 500.00$

Cassia hebecarpa Wild Senna Medium, Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Birds 4'-6' 0.5 94,960 22,400 4.2 0.5 756.00$

Dalea candida White Prairie Clover Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 1'-2' 4 759,684 416,000 1.8 4 162.00$

Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 1'-2' 3 569,763 368,000 1.5 3 135.00$

Enchinacea pallida Pale Purple Coneflower Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Deer Resistant 3'-5' 1 189,921 88,000 2.2 1 396.00$

Enchinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant 3'-4' 2 379,842 112,000 3.4 2 255.00$

Eupatorium perfoliatum Boneset Medium, Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators 3'-4' 6 1,139,526 3,200,000 0.36 6 162.00$

Helianthus laetiflorus Showy Sunflower Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay, Gravel Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 3'-6' 0.5 94,960 64,000 1.5 0.5 900.00$

Heliopsis helianthoides Ox Eye Sunflower Dry, Medium, Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Birds 3'-6' 2 379,842 100,800 3.8 2 285.00$

Liatris aspera Rough Blazingstar Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant 2'-5' 0.5 94,960 320,000 0.3 0.5 180.00$

Ratibida pinnata Yellow Coneflower Dry, Medium, Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 3'-6' 3 569,763 480,000 1.2 3 108.00$

Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan Dry, Medium, Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Deer Resistant 1'-3' 6 1,139,526 2,080,000 0.5 6 37.50$

Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Deer Resistant 3'-5' 2 379,842 800,000 0.5 2 112.50$

Verbena hastata Blue Vervain Medium, Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Deer Resistant 3'-6' 5 949,605 1,600,000 0.6 5 90.00$

Vernonia fasciculata Ironweed Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Deer Resistant 4'-6' 2.5 474,802 560,000 0.8 2.5 240.00$

Total 60 11,395,257 14,445,680 39.2 60 8,969.00$

Grasses Common Name Moisture Soil Benefits Height % of Mix # seeds needed Seeds/lbs lbs seeds/sqft Price

Bouteloua curtipendula Sideoats Grama Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds, Deer Resistant 2'-3' 2 379,842 96,000 4.0 2 100.00$

Sporobolus heterolepis Prairie Dropseed Dry, Medium Sand, Loam Birds, Deer Resistant 2'-4' 17 3,228,657 256,000 12.6 17 2,812.50$

Elymus canadensis Canada Wild Rye Dry, Medium, Moist Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Birds 4'-5' 2 379,842 96,000 4.0 2 100.00$

Elymus virginicus Virginia Wild Rye Medium, Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Birds, Deer Resistant 4'-5' 3 569,763 67,200 8.5 3 212.50$

Carex comosa Bottlebrush Sedge Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Deer Resistant 2'-4' 2 379,842 192,000 2.0 2 600.00$

Carex vulpinoidea Fox Sedge Moist, Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Deer Resistant 1'-3' 2 379,842 720,000 0.5 2 150.00$

Andropogon scoparius Little Bluestem Dry Sand, Loam Deer Resistant 2'-3' 8 1,519,368 250,000 6.1 8 152.50$

Glyceria canadensis Rattlesnake Grass Dry, Medium Sand, Loam, Clay Butterflies, Pollinators, Deer Resistant 1'-2' 2 379,842 560,000 0.7 2 157.50$

Carex stipata Awl Fruited Sedge Wet Sand, Loam, Clay Deer Resistant 3'-6' 2 379,842 1,920,000 0.2 2 60.00$

Total 40 7,596,840 4,157,200 38 40 4,345.00$

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Amenities

Along with the restored prairie environment, amenities will be added to the site to aid in

the appearance and education aspect of the site. A nature trail will be added around

the perimeter of the site for a more personalized experience of the prairie. This trail can

be seen in purple in the figure below. Stone benches and tables will be dispersed along

the trail for an option to sit and admire the new environment. Bird baths will also be

added along the trail to enhance the ability to observe the added wildlife brought in

by the prairie. Observation binoculars will be stationed around the site to enrich the

view of the EcoLab.

Figure 7. The amenities added to the project site

restortion plan

Documents