Dordt University removed a grove of ash trees in its prairie due to emerald ash borer damage and is considering reimagining the space as an oak savannah while maintaining an environmentally sensitive approach to support wildlife and community engagement.
If you’ve walked through the Dordt University prairie lately, you might have noticed changes to the southwest corner. A grove of ash trees, decimated by the invasive emerald ash borer, was removed in the fall.
“For several years, we’ve known that our ash trees might be in trouble,” says Dr. Robb De Haan, director of the Dordt University prairie. “On the east side of town, people had windbreaks where every single ash died. Last year, the emerald ash borer hit Sioux Center hard, including our trees on campus.”
De Haan, who also serves as a professor of environmental studies, biology, and community development at Dordt, took a walk through the prairie with members of Dordt’s facilities team to evaluate the situation. They determined it was best to take out the trees closest to the bike path so as to not endanger anyone, while still allowing a few dead trees to remain.
“From a wildlife point of view, standing dead trees are really valuable; woodpeckers use them, and those cavities become great spots for other species,” explains De Haan. “We also were able to save some non-ash trees, including a tamarack, black walnut, and hackberry trees.”
Now, what used to be a farm windbreak can be reimagined a bit. “Nothing is set in stone yet, but we’re talking about the possibility of creating an oak savannah, which could perhaps include swamp white oaks and burr oaks (depending on burr oak blight).”
It was important that Dordt complete this work “in an environmentally sensitive manner,” adds Vice President of Operations Fred Verwoerd, in part because the Dordt prairie is such a well-loved space within the Sioux Center community.
“We look forward to continuing to use this space to bless the community and to be stewards of God’s creation,” says Verwoerd.
In his Wildlife Ecology course De Haan talks with his students about the importance of interacting with urban wildlife. “Studies show that people—whether they live in town or not—appreciate being in a space that’s kind of wild, where you can find animals, birds, and wildflowers. The prairie is one of the only wild spots in Sioux Center. Also, so many people walk, bike, run, and more through that space; and as they do, they witness the different plants and species that change throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. It’s important for God’s people to interact with ecosystems like the prairie – it’s really valuable.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Dordt University organized and hosted a special education symposium focused on equipping local educators with effective strategies and knowledge for advancing their teaching practices.
Dordt University has two players recognized after its second NAIA National Championship. Macy Sievers was named the Player of the Year and First Team NAIA All-American for the second straight year, and Janie Van Donge was named to the NAIA All-American Second Team.
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