How well does the Conservation Reserve Program work, and how can we make it work better for Iowa farmers? UNI Biology undergraduate students are surveying pollinator habitat created by farmers through the USDA Farm Service Agency Pollinator Initiative, also known as "CP-42." They measure vegetation, and survey bees and butterflies, to assess the overall quality of the plantings, and provide a report to the landowner. Data will be used in a larger research project for the USDA Farm Services Agency, to help improve the CRP program nationwide. Click here for a list of helpful wildflower guides.
Student Michael Lashbrook learns to identify prairie plants during Botany Boot Camp, May 2017.
Students take notes while UNI alum Bruce Stiles gives them a tour of his property.
Bruce Stiles telling stories about native plants
Professor Steve O'Kane showing students how to use a plant press
Professor Ai Wen supervise students on a UNI campus prairie survey
Students take a lunch break while surveying pollinator habitat near Cedar Rapids
Summarizing data at the TPC with Dr. Wen and Dr. Myers
Data analysis - Seven of the nine students conducted an independent research project analyzing part of the data.
L to R: Gabrielle, Kate, Kylie, MJ and Alec attending a Prairie on Farms field day at Nashua Research Farm
Critiquing drafts of their posters
The Summer Undergraduate Research poster session. Gabrielle Brown with Dr. Mark Myers