Amos Butler Audubon Adopts the Marian College EcoLab
We are delighted to announce that the partnership between the Marian College EcoLab and AWB Audubon is maturing to involve all of our members. This partnership will provide a focus for the conservation efforts, environmental education activities, citizen science, and outdoor enjoyment of our members.The Marian College EcoLab is 60 acres of wetland and lowland forest on Marian's campus that is being used as an ecological laboratory for Marian College students as well as K-12 school groups, Audubon members, and the local community. A large portion of the EcoLab is part of the former estate of James A. Allison, Indy 500 founder, and was designed in 1912 by famous landscape architect and conservationist, Jens Jensen. Not only is this the best-preserved Jensen landscape in Indiana, it is also in great environmental shape! See http://wetland.marian.edu.
High quality green space and natural habitats are rare in Indianapolis. Over 85% of wetlands in Indiana have been destroyed and the wetland habitat in major cities is almost non-existent. For this reason and others, the Ecolab is a true jewel. The EcoLab trails are in, honeysuckle (a non-native shrub) has been removed (thanks, in part, to a $25,000 donation by AWB Audubon), lots of re-vegetation work has been done, but there is still a lot left to do and learn about the property.
Conservation Activities
Exotic species management: Because the EcoLab is in the center of a highly developed area there are seed sources for non-native plants all around and we need to be in constant battle with the invaders of the EcoLab: honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, buckthorn, multiflora rose, privet, garlic mustard, and others. The problem with these non-native plants is that they take habitat away from the native Indiana species. Honeysuckle, for example, is a shrub that grows to about 15 ft. and takes over woodland areas in the Midwest. None of the beautiful Indiana wildflowers that we all love will grow underneath it.Environmental Education Activities
A major emphasis of the EcoLab and the AWB Audubon is environmental education. We believe that the more people know about their natural heritage, the more interested they will be in preserving it. Your help is needed!K-12 group helpers
Volunteers are needed to develop lesson plans, find willing school groups, and/or help lead K-12 groups in environmental education field trips in the EcoLab. Learn to be "docents" of the EcoLab! Call Dave Benson, 955-6028 or email him if interested.Bird walk leaders
AWB Audubon would like to offer a weekly (Saturday at 9 a.m.) bird walk through the EcoLab and are looking for volunteers who can lead that activity. Call Dave Benson, 955-6028 or email him if interested.Citizen Science
Several research projects are on-going in the EcoLab. More baseline data is needed on animal and plant populations found in the area. Below is a bird survey opportunity, but we would love help from plant (and any other group of organism) experts as well to help us discover and quantify "what's out there?" Walking bird survey: Volunteers are needed to will follow a prescribed route through the EcoLab and record bird observations following a distance-based survey method. They will be able to do this any day at any time. They will be asked to send the data to a designated compiler. With these data we will be able to assess the changing bird use of the area as the EcoLab evolves. Individuals can begin any time. Call Dave Benson, 955-6028 or email him for instructions. Novice-advanced birders welcome.
For more information, please contact David P. Benson, Ph.D., at Marion College, or visit http://wetland.marian.edu
