Merry Lea’s master’s students prepare ecosystem presentations for their Natural History course. Throughout the course, they’ve each studied a particular locale, learning the species found there and the ways the ecosystem changes over time. Andrew Beal and TJ Rayhill kicked off the presentations with a look at areas near the Glacial Retreat Center.
Andrew focused on xerophytic communities around the gravel pit. He showed the group three different species of milkweed and had them compare soils found in his ecosystem. TJ spent time with a lowland cottonwood forest and vernal pond. “I wasn’t expecting the water to dry up,” he reflected. A massive cottonwood tree served as a focal point and favorite reflection spot.
Vickie Benko examines butterfly weed, a species of milkweed, while Aly Munger and Sam Buchanan look on.
This instar of a monarch butterfly is almost ready to pupate. If caterpillars began their life stage the size of a baby, they would end this phase the size of a bus.
Students compare glacial soils.
TJ Rayhill in the lowland cottonwood forest he studied for a natural history course.
The MAEE Natural History class pauses to listen at the base of a massive cottonwood tree.
Mushrooms at the base of a tree in a lowland cottonwood forest.
