Wolf Park Prairie Restoration
Goals and Objectives:
When we first met with Wolf Park to discuss their capstone project goals, they expressed a clear vision: to restore their existing pastures to native prairie habitat in order to better support the health and wellbeing of their bison herd. These pastures had been previously used for agriculture, and the staff lacked detailed records of past fertilizer or pesticide applications, as well as current data on soil health. In response, our team was tasked with developing a plan to evaluate the soil and create a list of native plant species suitable for reestablishing prairie conditions.
Beyond ecological restoration, Wolf Park’s goals are deeply rooted in education and community engagement. By restoring native landscapes, they aim to showcase Indiana’s natural history, highlight the importance of keystone species like bison, wolves, and foxes, and foster deeper public understanding of how these species maintain ecosystem balance. This project not only supports biodiversity and preserves ecological heritage but also offers an immersive opportunity for visitors to connect with the land and its wildlife.
The impact of this effort extends beyond Wolf Park’s boundaries. It encourages environmental stewardship, inspires visitors to care for natural spaces in their own communities, and contributes to the local economy through conservation based tourism. Ultimately, this restoration is about more than creating habitat, it is about reconnecting people with the ecological and cultural stories of the region.
Community Project Partners:
Nikki Yoder, Wolf Park Public Engagement Director
Team Members
- Nicole Pochron
- Emilia Myers
- Anna Douglas
- Sarah DeMann
- Esha Friedline
Summary:
With prior preparation and coordination with Wolf Park and A&L Great Lakes Lab we were able to take 36 soil samples over 40 acres that were then tested for various nutrients, organic matter, pH, and cation exchange capacity. Through the use of the sample results and additional information gathered from Web Soil Survey we were able to make native plant recommendations that will be suitable for the bison pastures.
One limitation of our current analysis is that we only received the soil nutrient test results very recently, which has given us limited time to fully integrate that information into our plant recommendations. A valuable next step would be a more comprehensive analysis of how specific plant species might respond to the current conditions or improve future conditions. This analysis could potentially reveal opportunities for tailored seed mixes that would maximize ecological restoration success based on the varying soil conditions across the pastures.
Future work will include further communication with Prairie Moon Nursery regarding customized seed mixes that account for the specific soil nutrient profiles we’ve documented. Additionally, developing a phased implementation strategy that prioritizes areas based on soil health indicators could help Wolf Park allocate resources efficiently over multiple growing seasons. Establishing a monitoring protocol to track vegetation establishment and success would also provide valuable data for adaptive management as the prairie restoration progresses.
GPS Fields Area Measure
Literature Reviewed Sources
