2009 (Fall)

The plant science students were able to continue the collaboration with Polk County Conservation by harvesting Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus) seed out at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt. The students also helped remove some tree species.

By the fall, the first phase of the prairie reconstruction showcased the asters (Aster laevis, Aster novae-angliae), goldenrod (Solidago rigida), and early sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides). Eleven species of forbs were seen to bloom by the end of its second year.

2009 (Summer)

First summer's growth

Second summer's growth

2009 (Spring)

The students enrolled in plant science conducted germination experiments on several species of native seeds. They monitored the growth of the plants in the greenhouse and transplanted the successes out into the reconstructed prairie. Other projects for the semester included native plant identification in the prairie as well as invasive species removal.

Due to the fundraising conducted by the environmental club, a whole acre was prepared and the seed was hand broadcast by the 80 some students. Cover seed that was harvested the previous fall was also added to the mixture to ensure some early blooming in the new plot. The cover seed included black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata), yellow headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and the ox-eye sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides).

2008 (Fall)

The collaboration continued with Polk County Conservation. The plant science students attended a service learning field trip that gave them the opportunity to identify and remove invasive willow trees and harvest prairie seed that would be used in future prairie plantings of which Polk County Conservation is in charge. Students worked at Engeldinger Marsh, one of the few remaining prairie potholes in Polk County.

2008 (Fall)

Upon the return to school, the Valley High School Environmental Club took on the prairie reconstruction as their senior project. They began by eliciting help from community organizations for donations that would cover the seed cost. That fall they received monetary donations from Mid-American Energy, Iowa Network Services, and the student council. The money they raised was enough to cover the remaining cost to prepare and seed the entire site.

The plant science students continued to work in the prairie by removing noxious weeds and identifying the plants that had leafed out or were in bloom. They also harvested seed from the black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata), and the ox-eye sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides).