In 2023 the Biology Department broke ground to expand the established tallgrass prairie demonstration garden on the south side of Stoffer Science Hall. This ongoing project involves replacing the existing lawn with plants native to northeast Kansas to create a curated garden that is used for formal and informal education. In 2024 and 2025 we continued to expand the garden; removing the large cedar bushes, taking out sod, backfilling with soil and mulching the area. The garden now includes the entire south side of Stoffer Hall, approximately 4500 square feet.
The garden supports courses such as Systematic Botany; giving students an accessible area by Stoffer Hall to practice plant identification skills. It also serves as an extension of existing efforts to expand public access to the Biology Department’s natural history collections, and increase visibility and public interest in ecological research. Having access on campus to a native plant garden allows for outreach events like plant identification workshops that will foster connections with the larger Topeka community. In addition to being an educational asset, the garden is an aesthetic addition to campus that increases appreciation for Kansas’s native biodiversity.
In 2026 we are continuing to improve the function of the garden space. We hope to complete the installation of a path, add hardscaping features, and continue to increase our garden’s biodiversity and educational value. The project is a collaboration between the Washburn Biology Department, EcoBods, and facilities service.
Donations to this project will support the Stoffer Hall Native Plant Garden Fund.
Forever Washburn Campaign Pillar: Teaching and Program Excellence
