Biodiversity Zones
Increasing biodiversity in an urban setting…
Dawson’s landscaping efforts on its grounds, rooftops, and greening of interior spaces have created places where biodiversity can be seen, painted, photographed, studied, and act as a relaxing location for reflection. The Dawson landscape has been used by teachers, classes, staff members, children in daycares, summer camps, and the public for educational purposes and leisure activities.
4H Rooftop Garden
Goal: The Green Rooftop was created to be energy-saving. There are 20 self-watering containers that are brought up every year that grow vegetables that are then harvested and sold to the Dawson community. “Work needed to be done to renovate the 4H roof, so Dawson decided to move forward with a plan to make the...
Decomposition Area
Goal: To showcase the decomposition process away from mammals, such as raccoons and squirrels, that often pull apart rotting logs to find food. Students can study the decomposition process happen and compare changes on this accessible rooftop. Several species of trees act as nurse logs to many other species, including a host of mushrooms, lichens,...
Forest Floor
Goal: This area was created to mimic the forest floor of Mount Royal. Rocks, decomposing logs, ferns, and shade-loving plants were planted here. A layer of leaves is added every fall to mimic the process in the forests. Maintenance: Weekly check for any garbage or damage Snip all Goutweed any time it is noticed and...
Insect Resort
Goal: To create artificial nesting sites for insects and specifically solitary bees and wasps that need small holes to make their nests and deposit eggs. Maintenance: Clean holes for mason bees seasonally Check in the spring and fall for any areas that have been damaged by wind, snow or people, and replace damaged material Interesting Notes:...
Meadow
Goal: This island within the parking lot was once a lawn that was maintained by the landscape contractors. It is meant to demonstrate a small area that has no woody plants other than the large tree at its center. It has been left to grow as a meadow and species are developing that encourage pollinators...
Monarch Nursery
Goal: Milkweed for egg-laying and larvae-feeding, and asters and goldenrod plants for late fall feeding of adult butterflies, were planted in this area. Over 200 milkweed plants, comprised of several native species, are growing. This garden houses approximately half of the 400+ milkweed plants on the property to help the monarch, a species at risk....
Plant Succession – Biodiversity Study Area
Goal: This area was created to demonstrate what happens to the plant life and associated invertebrates when the lawn at Dawson is left undisturbed from cutting. Since 2014, a small 3-4 meter area has been extended along the building with a cease in landscape cutting to the region, thus we now have several years of...
Wet Meadow
Goal: To provide a small area where plants thrive in continuously-damp soil that receives direct sunlight for only several hours per day. Situated only 10–15 meters from another area on the roof that provides different conditions, students can compare biodiversity in these differing micro-habitats. Maintenance: Weekly check for any garbage or damage Jewel weed (Impatiens...
