Work began in 2023 to expand on the existing tallgrass prairie demonstration garden on the south side of Stoffer Hall. We started with a 1,000-square-foot area, replacing the existing lawn consisting of primarily Bermuda grass (an invasive species in Kansas) with 52 species of plants native to northeast Kansas. Our goal for 2024 is to expand the garden to include the entire south side of Stoffer Hall, approximately 3,000 square feet. This expansion will include removing grass and large evergreen shrubs and replacing them with species of native plants, creating a curated garden that will be used for formal and informal education.
The garden will be utilized by courses such as Systematic Botany, giving students an accessible area by Stoffer Hall to practice plant identification skills. It will also serve as an extension of existing efforts to expand public access to the biology department’s natural history collections, increasing visibility and public interest in ecological research. Having access on campus to a native plant garden will allow for outreach events like plant identification workshops that will foster connections with the Topeka community. In addition to being an educational asset, the garden will also be an aesthetic addition to campus that increases appreciation for Kansas’ native biodiversity.
Funds raised on the Day of Giving will primarily go toward topsoil, mulch, native plant plugs and educational signage. The project is a collaboration between the biology department, EcoBods, Women in STEM and the Facilities Services Department.
