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College granted award for natural land restoration

Alexa Lokensgard
January 23, 2003

St. Olaf has taken definitive steps to preserve and expandits green space. The college has received a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Habitat Easement award of $250,000 to restore 100 acres of agricultural land to prairie and wetlands. The agreement between the college and the USFWS is permanent and ensures that this entire area of natural habitat will be protected and maintained, with no threat of development by local, state or federal governments, or by the college itself. The 100 protected acres are adjacent to the current 51-acre prairie, which includes the large pond near Tostrud Center, 10 acres of tree plantings and land northwest of the pond. In addition to the USFWS award, St. Olaf received $20,000 from Pheasants Forever, a non-profit organization, to help cover restoration costs.

An area that loses its biodiversity becomes unstable, as species diminish in variety and quantity, says Professor of Biology Gene Bakko, who also is curator of the St. Olaf natural lands. "People tend to equate development with progress," Bakko explains. "They see in the rising buildings more business and a thriving economy. However, the wilderness is also a vital part of our collective psyche, and when we lose the land, our quality of life is diminished."

Contact Carole Engblom at 507-786-3315 or leigh@stolaf.edu.