In 2016, the City of Marion committed to a public-private partnership between the City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County and The Monarch Research Project to reestablish 1,000 acres of diverse pollinator habitat on sites where low-value turf or vegetation currently existed.
This endeavor has helped to offset the excessive habitat loss across the state of Iowa, which in turn contributes to the decreasing populations of pollinators that are crucial to the agricultural economies, food supply and the landscapes surrounding our homes and communities.
Marion installed the first 27 acres in 2017 and has scheduled to complete the fifth-year installation of 20.79 acres in 2022. In total there will be 114.5 acres converted within the Marion community over the five-year initiative. Some locations where these pollinator-friendly plots can be viewed are Lowe Park, Indian Creek Watershed, Echo Hill Waterway, Waldo’s Rock Park and medians along Tower Terrace Road. Native prairie plants, forbs and grasses contribute significant benefits to pollinators and humans alike.
While providing habitat and many colorful blooms throughout the growing season, there are also water-filtering and carbon-storing qualities improving infiltration and stormwater retention, reducing erosion and building rich native soils. Prairies require minimal maintenance once established and will continue to grow in value as they mature and provide an unmatched ecosystem above and below the ground.
If you have questions about Marion’s native prairie habitat, please contact the Marion Parks and Recreation Department at (319) 447-3580.
Original source can be found here.
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