Grasslands

Prairie Restoration, Conservation, and Stewardship

Reading(s)

• ACRES Marl Prairie

• Marl Prairie Formation due to Changes in Hydrology

• Fire-grazing interactions and soil organic carbon accrual in grasslands: testing new paradigms in soil ecology

• Grassland Research Synopsis

• Goodrich Experimental Setup Map

• Goodrich Pasture Walk Aug. 2026 Prelim-data 

Lab Goals & Objectives

• Become familiar with a range of prairie plants

• Become familiar with how anthropogenic landscape change can lead to unique prairie assemblages

• Become oriented to the grazing project, the prairie restortion that is part of it, and the question(s) that motivate it as well as a peak at some preliminary data

• Explore the tension between the establishment of underrepresented ecosystems on our landscape (prairies) where different land covers are more stable (i.e. hardwood forests)

• Become familar with some of the common non-prairie plants that are present in the prairies and what affects these might have for the restoration

Reflection Prompt

Think about the two big types of prairies that you have seen as part of this lab (marl and "standard" warm season).  What are some of the biggest differences you noticed between the two?  What do you think explains these differences?  Also think of the different factors that led to the establishment of Bear Lake prairie and Goodrich prairie.  Expand on what these two different scenarios teach us about prairie restoration.

Materials, Links, Logistics, & General Itinerary (subject to change as needed)

• We are Meeting at Reith Village and will be working in prairies throughout the class period.  We will start at small pocket prairies at Reith Village where you an easily access and identify a number of prairie plants that enjoy more well drained ground as well as wetter grounds toward the small wetland behind Oshtemo.  You can easily compare these to the "meadow" system across the lane next to the education garden.  We will also visit bear lake prairie.  This is a unique marl prairie that has a very interesting natural & human history to tell.  We will also get a chance to get an overview of the Prairie Grazing Project - which we will work more intensively with later in the semester.  If time allows we can also visit additional prairies scattered across the property from near the nut orchard to behind Luckey's Landing.

• You will be walking through lots of tall grass.  Wear appropriate shoes, pants, etc.

• Prepare for heat.  Hat, long pants, etc.  Sunscreen and insect repellent.  Water Bottles are absolutely neccessary.

• Edwards Planting Project

• Goodrich WHIP Project

• Goodrich Prairie Map & Photo

• Historic Set of Sat Images