By Katie Oreskovic, Staff Writer
Rushing from class to car to work to other responsibilities, life as a student doesn’t always accommodate time to ‘stop and smell the roses’ as they say. Lucky for students at East Central College, a blossoming sanctuary of native plant life awaits just West of campus. The prairie plots, which were first initiated during the early 2000s by former Biology Professor Dr. Pat Woolley and later taken over by Associate Professor of Biology Kevin Dixon, are a project to maintain native prairie life and provide an accessible nature space to students.
“More than 90% of tall grass Prairie in the state of Missouri has gone away, mostly because of agriculture. You will find small remnants of prairie here and there,” Dixon said, “If we keep some prairie alive to teach people what prairie is, or what some of these plants are, then maybe they will pick up on that.”
The two plots at ECC, each around four and half acres, are an important space for native Missouri plant life, and house a variety of species. The spaces also welcome student and public use to view the vibrant display of wildflowers, particularly on the northernmost plot which contains five mowed trails.
“I have photo documented about 35 different species of wildflowers that grow in there, and there are three different types of native grasses that grow in there, so it can be used as an ecological study area,” Dixon said. “It gives a great place for some of our classes to go and do some study. People can come up on the weekends, and they can see a little bit of nature that maybe they’re not going to see in their yard.”
During class, students have used the plots to conduct population studies, collect plant and animal specimens and partake in nature photography. Dixon has found personal meaning in these spaces and encourages others to explore what they have to offer.
“One of my passions and hobbies in life is photography, and I do outdoor photography… I especially love to take pictures of butterflies, bees, flowers, those kinds of things, so that gives me a concentrated place to go every month so I can find different kinds of flowers,” Dixon said.
Various planning efforts go into maintaining healthy prairie land. In 2013, Dixon noticed nonnative fescue, the common lawn grass, creeping into the prairie area. With insight from the Missouri Conservation Department, it was decided to start a routine of mowing and controlled burns. Now, controlled burns are arranged every five years or so to aid the land.
“[A controlled burn] returns nutrients back to the soil. It helps knock back some of the invasive species, and it also thins down some of the plants… some actually use fire as part of their reproductive cycles.” Dixon said.
The most recent burn was held at ECC on Feb. 28th and provided students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in land management. The burn was the third to be held at ECC. Participants included students, staff, faculty, members of the East Central Prescribed Burn Association (ECPBA) and the Union Fire Department.
The prairie plots at ECC provide a multitude of benefits to not only the environment, but also serve as an easily accessible, nature space for students to enjoy. During the hectic times of college life, take a beat to think of the natural haven that lives right here on campus.
“Put on your bug spray, bring your camera and go for a walk, and you would be surprised… You can see the bees and the butterflies and how nature works together on just our little corner of the campus up here.” Dixon said.
ECC Cornerstone 