UD's Wolter Woods and Prairies Participates in Project Wingspan to Cultivate Pollinator Habitats

SHERRILL, Iowa - On a recent fall day, native prairie seeds were collected at the University of Dubuque's Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center to help cultivate pollinator habitats across central Iowa.

The Dutch Prairie collection event was facilitated by Pollinator Partnership's Project Wingspan, a multi-year regional seed collection and habitat enhancement project to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat in the Midwest and Great Lakes Region to support imperiled native pollinators such as the monarch butterfly and endangered rusty patched bumble bee. It is made possible through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant.

"Partnering with Project Wingspan beautifully compliments the University of Dubuque's mission of stewardship for all of God's human and natural resources. Those values resonate deeply with us here at Wolter Woods and Prairies," said Paige Peterson (C'22), a Wolter Woods and Prairies environmental specialist. "As we dedicate ourselves daily to nurturing a diverse and vibrant ecosystem on our grounds, we also recognize the importance of extending our efforts beyond our borders to benefit the broader community. Our vision is to see Iowa flourish in biodiversity, creating a thriving environment not just for our pollinator allies but also for our alumni, students, friends, family, and all who visit our beloved state. Together, we can cultivate a legacy of ecological health and community connection."

Project Wingspan expanded into Iowa this year as Project Wingspan: Community Connections.

"Our goal with Project Wingspan: Community Connections is to enhance 3,000 acres of pollinator habitat by awarding the seed we collect to property owners in urban and suburban communities including community gardens, parks, urban agriculture, and right of ways by a combination of plant material awards and improved management, technical training, and other resources," said Gina Bartleson, MS, the Iowa state coordinator for Project Wingspan.

Bartleson and her husband, Dan, collected native seeds at Wolter Woods and Prairies with Peterson and Jessica Dix (C'24), a Wolter Woods and Prairies conservation technician.

"What I enjoyed most about the entire process was connecting with Project Wingspan and contributing to something greater than myself," Peterson said. "Being out in the beautiful prairies surrounded by the buzz of pollinators reminds me of the vital role these ecosystems play in supporting our environment. Collaborating with passionate volunteers and experts offered a sense of shared purpose, making the experience educational and incredibly rewarding. Knowing that the seeds we collected will help enhance biodiversity and support pollinator health across Iowa made every moment meaningful. It was a powerful reminder of how, together, we can positively impact our planet."

Ten out of 28 target species were collected from Wolter Woods and Prairies. At least one more target species was located, but it was too late in the season to collect as the seed had dispersed. The seeds will be sent to Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota, for more thorough cleaning and storage. They will eventually be distributed to recipients in central Iowa.

"This not only supports pollinator populations and other wildlife but also benefits surrounding communities by improving soil health, sequestering carbon, reducing stormwater runoff, and enhancing scenic value and recreational opportunities," Bartleson said.

A key component to Project Wingspan is a network of dedicated volunteers who are trained on seed collection protocols. To learn more, please visit https://www.pollinator.org/wingspan/seed-collection, complete the sign-up form at www.tinyurl.com/Wingspan-volunteer, or email Bartleson directly at [email protected].

Additionally, Project Wingspan continues to recruit property owners and land managers interested in learning how to improve their sites for pollinators. Visit https://www.pollinator.org/wingspan/habitat-surveys for more information. People with native plants on their land who are interested in hosting Project Wingspan should complete the form at www.tinyurl.com/PWseedsite.

Volunteer opportunities are also available at Wolter Woods and Prairies. To learn more, please email Peterson directly at [email protected].

"This was an introductory event for both Wolter Woods and Prairies and Project Wingspan to see how much seed we had available to collect and what our future involvement would look like," Peterson said. "Next year, we are planning on hosting another event with Project Wingspan for seed collection and hope to have more involvement."