On Monday, May 6, Dr. Kim Lansbergen, associate professor of Biology and Environmental Science, led her ENVS 339 EcologicalAgriculture students in an experiential service learning project.
Dr. Landsbergen brought native plants transplanted from behind the Arts & Science Building, as well as some from home, to fill out a pollinator patch located near the back of McGregor. The plants slated to be added to the patch included white aster, which will grow to about six-feet tall and bloom in the fall.
Plants, like cosmos, a self-seeding annual, and echinacea, were pointed out by Dr. Landsbergen or marked with flags so that students could dig out weeds around them. Some grasses were
also left in the patch to help fill it out. Students did pull out weeds like bindweed (similar to a morning glory), which could suffocate the “good weeds.”
During the project, Dr. Landsbergen discussed propagation and other practical aspects of designing a native plant landscape with the students, including proper plant and site selection.
