b'Continued from page 10 Establishing the education center in 1992 was anotherstroke of Brother Geigers genius, according to SisterIn union with all creatures, we journey through this Jablonski. He knew that the brothers would supportland seeking God, Pope Francis wrote in Laudato S. the project if others could learn from it, she said. Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our By 1994, MEEC had established nurseries on theconcern for this planet never take away the joy of property to protect, propagate, and distribute localour hope. native plants. Students, volunteers, and staff now growThe nature preserve and education center illustrate more than 350 species, many of which are listed assuch struggles, concerns, hope, and song. Purchased threatened or endangered. The plants are offered to theby the Marianists in 1910, the property was farmed public through the centers annual plant sale, whichuntil the 1960s, then lay fallow until the construction runs in conjunction with the Midwest Native Plantof Interstate 675 along the propertys eastern border in Societys annual conference. The plant sale catalog isthe mid-80s. After construction, the Marianists were updated online around Earth Day and mailed to MEECleft with a 14-acre pit from which sand and gravel had members for priority orders. The catalog stays on thebeen harvested for the highways underlayment. The website throughout the year, though. Sister Jablonskistate of Ohio offered to fill it and plant grass, but the refers to the catalog as an educational piece for the web-grass would have needed watering, mowing, andsite, because it lists ideal moisture and lighting conditionsYou start where intense tending. and notes which species help propagate butterflies. you are. We cantLate Marianist Brother Don Geiger had other ideas. For decades, the center has offered hands-onall do everything, A student of ecological restoration, Brother Geiger, learning in the nature preserve for college and highbut everyone canwho died in 2020, researched the propertys history school groups as well as hikes and workshops fordo something. and found that much of it had been prairie before it was students and community organizations.farmland. He proposed seeding it with native grasses As a naturalist, youre trying to get people to seeSister Leanne Jablonski, FMI and assembled students and volunteers to help. He the encounters between the insect and the plant, thefollowed the prairie project with the restoration ofpollinator interaction, decomposer interaction, and40 acres of oak/hickory/dogwood woodland and to experience the wonder and awe about the intricaciesthe removal of invasive honeysuckle.of those relationships, Sister Jablonski said. TheyPHOTO BY KATHLEEN NELSON PHOTO BY JULIE WALLINGSince going online in June2023, the solar array has supplied Mount Saint Johnsenergy needs.The Bro. Don Geiger Tall GrassPrairie is part of the 62-acreMarianist Nature Preserve atMount Saint John.14 Call 1.800.348.4732'