Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College

Forests at Merry LeaLowland Forests: •Poorlydrainedsoils •TreesincludeSilverandRedMaple,BurandPinOak, CottonwoodandSycamoreUpland Forests: •Well-drainedsoils •TreesincludeRed,BlackandWhiteOak,andShagbark, PignutandBitternutHickory

Wetlands at Merry LeaBog: •Peat-formingwetlandwithlayersofsphagnummoss •Nutrient-poor,oxygen-deficient,slightlyacidicwaterFen: •Peat-formingwetlandlackingsphagnum •Nutrient-rich,alkalinewater •TypicallycomprisedofgrassesandsedgesMarsh: •Wetlandcharacterizedbysedges,cattails,rushesand otherwater-lovingplantsShrub-Carr: •Awetlandwithneutraltoalkalinewaterandscrubby vegetationSwamp: •Wetlanddominatedbytreesandshrubs •SoilsaturatedwithwaterformostoftheyearVernal Pond: •Collectswaterinspringfrommeltingsnowandrainfall •Driesupduringsummer •ImportantbreedinggroundforsalamandersWet Meadow: •Dominatedbynon-woodyvegetation,usuallygrasses •Saturatedsoil

MerryLeaEnvironmentalLearningCenterP.O.Box263,WolfLake,IN46796(260)799-5869www.merrylea.goshen.edu

Eightmilesoftrailsopendaily, sunrisetosunset,year-round.

MerryLea’s1,189-acrenaturepreserveishometoadiverseselectionofIndianaecosystems.

Merry Lea’s Mission

•ProvidinganaturalsanctuaryforNorthern Indiana’splantsandanimals

•Providingenvironmentaleducationforpeople ofallages

•Providingasettingforre-creating opportunitiesthatbenefitthehumanbodyand spiritwhilenotexploitingthelandorexcessively disturbingitsecosystems.

Grasslands at Merry LeaMeadow: •Combinationofnativeandnon-nativegrassesand forbssuchasQueenAnne’sLace,Goldenrod,Black-eyed SusanandBee-Balm •TypicallyformedinabandonedagriculturalfieldsBlack Oak Savanna: •Well-drainedsoilwithwidelyspacedBlackOaktrees inafieldofgrassesandforbssuchasLittleBluestem, ButterflyWeedandRound-headedBushCloverTall-Grass Prairie: •NativegrassessuchasIndianGrass,BigandLittle Bluestem,SideoatsGrama,Switchgrass,CanadaWildRye •ForbsincludeBlack-eyedSusanandNewEnglandAster

History of Merry Lea’s LandPre-1830s: TheMiamiNationlivedintheregionforcenturies.1830s:Settlersuseduplandforestsaswoodlandpasturesand timberharvestsorclearedthemforfarming.Pre-1880:Ninehundredacresofwetlandsandopenwater coveredlowlandareas.1880s:Ditchesweredugtodrainthelakeandexposerich soilforgrowingpotatoes,onionsandpeppermint.1930s-1986: Luckey’sLandingResortonHighLakewasa popularpublicdestinationforcamping,fishing&boating.1964:LeeandMaryJaneRiethbeganpurchasingparcelsof landforpreservationandenvironmentaleducation.1980:TheRiethsgenerouslydonatedMerryLea,aswellasan additionalpieceoflandthatwaspurchasedin1986,to GoshenCollege.1991-present: MerryLeacontinuestorestore75acresof wetlandsand50acresofprairieonwhatwasonce agriculturalland.