By Holly Kline
A large prairie teeming with wildlife and containing acres of native blooms exists at 126thStreet and Promise Road in Fishers. Crucial to necessary biodiversity and a hands-on learning experience for kids and adults, the prairie is more than just a pretty green space.
Four years ago Geist Christian Church in Fishes began developing the land that surrounds the church into a prairie; members and friends cleared away construction debris and turned the approximate 20 acres into the wildlife-friendly meadow.
Cheryl Shearer is a member of the church, serves on their Environmental Stewardship committee and is part of the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society. “The prairie includes three acres of native plants,” Shearer stated. “We wrote for grants and raised money to make this happen.”
A gravel path winds around the church and anyone can access it to view the prairie. The path leads to Sand Creek and signs are installed along the way to provide information about plants and wildlife. There is even a Creekside Classroom on the banks of the creek.
“The Creekside Classroom is a large area that has been cleared,” Shearer explained. “Kids can sit on logs in a kind of classroom formation. A platform has been built in the creek so kids can go out and see what is going on in the water.”
Geist Christian in Fishers will present their Nature Camp from July 28 – 31, utilizing the prairie and Creekside Classroom. “This is the first year for a camp that specifically exposes kids to the environment,” said Shearer. “It can be hard for suburban kids to get these exposures.”
The prairie provides numerous learning opportunities including the concept of biodiversity and why it’s important. “What happens with development is that species cannot intermingle,” Shearer shared. “So inbreeding happens, from insects all the way up to mammals and it’s not good for their survival.” Shearer went on to explain that Ridgefield housing development created a prairie adjacent to the Geist Christian property and with the two prairies, insects and other wildlife can intermingle creating biodiversity.
Take a look at the unique, urban prairie here in Fishers and learn something new about the natural world. “You don’t have to travel miles to experience this type of nature,” says Shearer.
