Another great spot to watch birds is the prairie, which is located at the north end of campus near the Wright State Physicians building on University Blvd. In 2015, the prairie was reestablished by Dr. Cipollini, a biology professor at the university. The prairie was established with three different seed mixes: a pollinator mix which produces flowers for pollinators, a second mix for dry and rocky soil, and the third for swale areas which are wetter. The prairie has taken off and is producing quite well, as is shown in this photograph from 2022. Here are a list of a few grasses and wildflowers in the prairie: Big Bluestem, Prairie Cordgrass, Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Stiff Goldenrod, Ironweed, Knapweed, Canadian Wild Rye, Teasels, Carrotseed (Queen Anne’s Lace), Blue Asters and much more. The prairie is a microcosm for many different species from insects, to butterflies to birds; all of them having a different role in supporting the ecosystem and each other. The prairie is important for birds not only as a food source, but also a protective habitat throughout the entire year.
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