Welcome to Park Woods!
Park Woods is an urban, oak-hickory forest approximately 10 acres in size that holds a special place in the cultural, and social history of EMU and surrounding institutions. The community and students around EMU have identified the need to preserve, conserve, and restore the forest and its cultural heritage.
Learn more about Park Woods and Restoration Efforts on this interactive website, created by 2024 Environmental Science Capstone students, led by Biology Professor, Jim Yoder.
History
Park Woods is located in the northeast corner of campus, close to Park Woods apartments and EMU's physical facilities offices. The space is unique in that it is used by multiple generations of people, from children in school to adults in retirement.
While Park Woods is owned by Eastern Mennonite University, it is also used by neighboring Eastern Mennonite School (K-12) and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.
What’s Currently Happening?
Invasive Species Management
- Recent deaths of native Ash trees due to the invasive emerald ash borer beetles have allowed more sunlight to reach the understory, increasing woody invasive species growth and choking out native tree saplings. Clearing these species is an important first step to restoring a more natural and healthy understory that will allow native tree regeneration.
- There has been various initiatives that students and the broader community have participated in to clear invasive brush and vine, as well as bringing in goats to eat the invasive species.
Partnerships with VMRC for ecological restoration and path improvement
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Community Engagement with university students and EMS
- Park Woods offers lots of ways for EMU students to get involved. Park Woods Cabin and the surrounding woods host a variety of events including apple cider pressing, cleanups, potlucks, presentations, and even hosted Lumberjack Olympics, an event put on by the Campus Activities Council (CAC).
DONATE LANGUAGE (ASK JIM AND KIRK)
Learn more about previous projects, research, and history of Park Woods:
