The Grassland Program

The Grassland Program at the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station began in 2011 and has been developing since under the leadership of Emliss Ricks (Land Stewardship Manager). This long-term project has focused on establishing grasslands in three locations within the Field Station. The first location is a small demonstration prairie of about one acre in the station’s main facilities area. It was established by the late professor of botany Matt Hils (1959–2014) to maintain the biodiversity of prairie plant species for educational purposes.

The second location is a 20-acre meadow established in 2013 in a former agricultural field. Professor Hils had suggested the creation of a meadow that represented the plants and animals found in such grassland ecosystems in Ohio. The efforts in this area have focused on three main outcomes. First, protect Silver Creek’s watershed, as the meadow is part of its catchment area. Second, increase the plant diversity by replacing the vegetation typical of fallow agricultural fields with native warm season grasses and forbs (herbaceous wildflowers). And third, provide habitat for diverse animal species, particularly nesting sites for ground nesting birds such as bobolinks, meadowlarks, and savannah sparrows.

The third and most recent location is another former agricultural field of about three acres. Ecological management in that site began in 2017 to create a smaller meadow following the same practices develop in the larger area. It is located along State Route 82 and will serve as a display of the grassland ecosystem’s beauty to those passing along the road.

Early Season activities include seed drying, new seed purchasing, frost seeding in snow-covered fields, and growing seeds indoors in early March. When plugs are ready, they are moved outdoors in April and May. The field is prepared with a prescribed burn and a follow-up mowing, preferably before mid-May.

Grass seed - indoor — Seed for indoor growing is kept dry until ready to be potted.

indoor growing — The plants are grown under indoor conditions with 15 hours of light at 70 degrees F of temperature to mimic summer growing conditions.

As warmer weather arrives, the growing plugs are transferred outside prior to being planted in late May and early summer.

Mid-spring is the ideal time for a prescribed burn. Fire removes the tangle of dead cover allowing the ground to warm up while returning nutrients back to the soil in the form of ash. Fire will be followed by a close to the ground mowing completed before nesting birds arrive.

By mid- to late May the threat of frost is gone, and the soil temperature is warm enough for planting both grasses and wildflowers. The plugs have outgrown their home in the trays and are ready for the field. High summer dazzles with fresh green grasses and a myriad of colorful wildflowers attracting a diversity of grassland wildlife.

Grasslands - Ready for planting — ATVs carry the plugs to the planting sites in Hils’ meadow.

On freshly tilled plots our crews of student interns plant and water the young plugs. The new plants will require close attention for several weeks with timely watering during dry conditions.

As the summer progresses the lengthening days provide evening walks through the meadow.

birds at field station — Several ground-nesting bird species rely on the thick cover tall grasses provide to protect them from predation. These include the savannah sparrow, bobolink, eastern meadowlark, field sparrow, red-winged blackbird, and others.

red fox — Predators are also found in grasslands as part of the wildly diverse community.

diverse flowers of meadow — The diverse flowers of the meadow are important to many insect species which then perform an important pollination function. Butterfly milkweed is a favorite of the Monarch butterfly on its northward journey. The leaves also feed the Monarch larvae.

hummingbird feeds — The colors of mid-summer can be stunning with both plants and animals. Here a hummingbird moth feeds on the nectar of wild bergamot.

With the approach of autumn, the meadow reaches a breathtaking climax of tall grasses in full bloom among acres of colorful goldenrods and asters. As the plants complete their growing and the seeds dry, it is time for harvest. Also, this is the time for hand broadcasting of mature seed.