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Last year, the library was awarded a WiLS Ideas to Action Grant for $5,000 to refresh the W. Ben Hunt Prairie and turn it into a learning garden. If you aren’t familiar with the prairie, it was established in 1985. Originally 20,000 sq. ft., the prairie was planted in an L-shape that started on the south side and came around the west side of the Ben Hunt Center, which houses the Hales Corners Library and Historical Society. As part of the development, the Ben Hunt Cabin was permanently relocated at the west side of the prairie, adding to the historical significance of the area. The prairie was also reshaped and removed from the west side of the Ben Hunt Center and is now roughly 8,500 sq. ft.
What’s so special about the prairie? The W. Ben Hunt Prairie Learning Garden will offer a hands-on educational experience, inviting community members to engage in volunteer work or self-guided tours, fostering a deeper connection with prairie ecosystems as they explore and nurture native plants. It will also provide a stable environment for pollinating birds and bees, who help us grow our food. According to farm.gov, one out of every three bites of our food, including fruits, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, nuts, and spices, is created with the help of pollinators. Wow, it’s pretty amazing what a well-maintained prairie can offer!
Some of the grant work began last year, such as burning the prairie to foster fresh growth, pulling invasive trees and plant species, and having an assessment done of the plants. Most of this work was done by Danielle Bell, a prairie specialist, and her team from Native Roots Design, Inc. Danielle also mentored volunteers from Scout Troops 574 and 598 to help with weeding. You can see pics here!
We are also very lucky to have an additional collaborator that is helping us with our signage! Laura Buska of the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network is helping to write the content of the sign on pollinators, with an emphasis on the endangered Rusty patched Bumblebee, and watershed information. They will also be offering free programs through Hales Corners Library on these super important subjects, so keep an eye out for more info.
Part of the grant includes creating a self-guided tour which can accessed by scanning a QR code on the learning garden information sign. The audio is being recorded right now and will be entered into a special app that will also show images to make it easier to recognize native plants and pollinators. You can watch and listen to the tour right on your personal device any time of the day or night. Pretty cool!
Would you like to help? The grant is a great start for the prairie, but we will need help in maintaining it moving forward. If you would like to volunteer to help with pulling invasive trees and plants and performing other light physical work in the garden, fill out our Volunteer at the Library form. Training will be provided. If a donation is more your style, click here to donate specifically for prairie upkeep.
