Volunteers renovate Dunn’s Woods

Dunn’s Woods is getting a much-needed makeover.

A team of volunteers are working to restore the iconic green space to its original ecosystem. Their goal is to eradicate the purple wintercreeper, an invasive evergreen vine.

“The woodland has become degraded,” said Heather Reynolds, associate professor of biology and leader of the project. “The wintercreeper has covered the forest floor and climbed up the trees, killing plants that other species depend on for life .”

Each week, volunteers hand-pulled the vine from the woods and replaced it with plants native to the area. They also sprayed the vine with a selective herbicide.

The Office of Sustainability, Bloomington Parks and Recreations Department, Monroe County Identify, Reduce Invasive Species group and Sassafras Audubon Society were all partners in the effort.

“Seeing so many people and groups working on this effort made me extremely grateful that I live in Monroe County,” said Ellen Jacquart, MC-IRIS founder and a director at the Nature Conservancy of Indiana. “When we come together, we’re a pretty strong force.”

The native plants will increase biodiversity mostly by becoming food for insects and wildlife. 

The wintercreeper was planted as a landscaping device before its harmful qualities were known. It is spread throughout campus and its seeds are constantly being carried into the woods by birds and other creatures.

“Just like we upkeep our roads and infrastructure, we have to cultivate an ethic of caring for our green spaces too,” she said.

Senior Hayley Prihoda, the Dunn’s Woods restoration project intern for the Office of Sustainability, said she hopes that students will want to be involved.

“Today, campus is so big that you can just walk to class without ever thinking about its history,” Prihoda said. “But Dunn’s Woods is where our campus started. It’s a green space that matters.”