5-Acre Sanctuary for Pollinators and Purple Martins Taking on ONU Campus

A 5-acre sanctuary for pollinators and purple martins is taking shape around the Nature Pond on Ohio Northern University’s campus. Although still in the beginning stages of its development, the area is already teeming with life, says Dr. Bob Verb, professor of biological sciences and director of the nature center areas.

This spring, Verb and ONU students seeded the prepared plot with nearly 100 different native plant species, ranging from Rattlesnake Master to Big Bluestem.

While it will take three years of growth and future controlled burns to fully mature, the prairie will eventually produce a stunning floral display from June through October, explained Verb.

Verb’s long-term vision includes planting native woody shrubs, modifying the pond’s bank, and stocking the pond with fish to create a robust “habitat for all sorts of wildlife.”

The pond area also provides nesting homes for purple martins— large swallows known for the males’ stunning iridescent plumage, their melodic birdsong, and the aerial acrobatics they use to catch dragonflies and other insects.

Story and photo from ONU Facebook page

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