I am convinced that most Americans have no idea what a decent forest looks like. The only way to tell them is to show them.” - Aldo Leopold
The same could be said for wetlands. Wetlands are essential to watershed health and water quality by providing habitat for wetland species, modulating flood events, and filtering pollutants. Unfortunately 85 percent of wetlands in Indiana have been converted to other uses, and, although public perception of wetlands is improving, wetlands are still widely regarded as unattractive, stagnant breeding grounds for pestilence and mosquitoes. This perception comes from a lack of exposure to, and education about the functions of natural wetlands.
With the help of its partners and funders, the NMP EcoLab is helping to change that perception. The EcoLab provides an opportunity for the Indiana adult community, K-12 school groups, and Marian College students to experience native Indiana in the 55-acre wetlands and lowland forest on the Marian College campus just a few miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
Because it is a high quality natural area right on the Marian University campus, the EcoLab has been the subject of many research investigations. Research monitoring the effects of the current restoration activities on birds, amphibians, and vegetation is on-going. Each year, several more research projects are done in the EcoLab by Marian University students and faculty. Volunteers and other researchers can get involved as well. For example, birders can participate in a walking survey of the avifauna of the EcoLab. Others with a particular taxonomic, geological, or biological expertise are also invited to help us learn more about this important area.
Marian University students prompted the contemporary restoration by alerting Marian University faculty Ron Weiss and David Benson and then vice president Sr. Norma Rocklage about the dire state of affairs in “the wetlands” in the Spring 2000. An initial “clean up day” was held in the Fall 2001 where students, faculty, and staff (including the college president) helped remove accumulated trash along the access road into the EcoLab. Several years, and over a million dollars later, the EcoLab has been transformed from an area choked with non-natives to a very high-quality natural area.
The mission of the EcoLab considers involving others in its restoration a high priority. All student groups are offered the opportunity of gaining hands-on experience with the art and science of environmental restoration. We believe strongly that the best way to help young people (and, those not so young) understand the importance of responsible environmental stewardship is to actually have them get their hands a little dirty! Visit our events page for regularly scheduled Conservation Days where everyone is welcome to join in on the restoration fun. Volunteers are also needed any time to help with restoration projects such as planting native species, removing exotic, and other restoration activities.
The current restoration builds upon a “restoration” project that began in 1912 with Jens Jensen’s plantings.Jensen used native plant species in ecologically sensible locations. Since that time, non-native plants invaded and starting in 2000, work was done to remove the non-natives and plant native species. This project is ongoing.
© 2024 Marian University
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disabilities in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students.
*Placement rates are gathered from data collected from graduates within six months of graduation.
Students may make a complaint to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.
Submit a Marketing Request
Website built with
Visit myMU