Volunteers and Partners Making an Impact at Sylvan Prairie

By Melanie Coulter- TOPS

On Friday, October 7, 2016, Sylvan Prairie Park’s south parking lot was full! Over 60 Lourdes University students, faculty, and staff came to lend a helping hand to The Olander Park System’s (TOPS) Natural Resources Team. The day was a special day of service for the Lourdes’ community, as well as a kick-off of Lourdes University’s “adoption” of Sylvan Prairie Park through the Green Ribbon Initiative’s Adopt a Natural Area (AANA) program.
With shovels, gloves, trowels, and bags in hand on a beautiful sunny day, everyone helped make positive environmental impacts by restoring riparian habitat on two ditches in the park and collecting milkweed seeds for Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI). More than 200 trees and 500 grasses and forbs were planted. Plus, five 25 gallon totes were overflowing with collected milkweed pods.
Students were able to learn about Sylvan Prairie Park, TOPS restoration efforts, and OPHI up close with a hands on approach. Everyone enjoyed the camaraderie and sunshine while making a difference in our community. As one student mentioned, “This was great! I can come back in 5 years and say, I planted that!” Please do! TOPS is looking forward to Lourdes’ students, faculty and staff returning to Sylvan Prairie for more service events through the AANA program. Through this partnership, the students will gain valuable hands-on education and get to watch the changes they helped make possible.