At Your Service - Natural Resources Specialist Wade Yunker
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Management and restoration of city natural areas
Invasive species removal (Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard)
Conversion of low-use turf areas into native prairies
Implementation of River Bottoms Cultural and Systems Plan
Execution of Bloomington Natural Resources Prioritization Plan
Restoration project at East Marsh Lake Park
Areas of Interest (4)
- The city's active conversion of underutilized turf grass into native prairie habitats.
- The ongoing battle against invasive plant species like Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard in urban parks.
- City council support and increased funding for urban ecological restoration efforts.
- The success of the East Marsh Lake Park restoration from a Buckthorn-covered lot to an oak savannah.
Notable Quotes (3)
I oversee all of the city's natural areas responsible for maintaining approximately 250 acres.
Natural resources managementDefining the scope of their responsibility in Bloomington.
Garlic mustard and buckthorn are kind of the two main culprits for invasion and destruction of our native habitats.
Invasive speciesIdentifying primary invasive threats.
Where we're at today at East Marsh Lake Park used to be wall-to-wall buckthorn. Now it's an open oak savannah.
East Marsh Lake Park restorationHighlighting a successful restoration site.
People (1)
Unnamed Natural Resources SpecialistNatural Resources SpecialistManages two full-time staff and four seasonal employees.
1 quote
Manages two full-time staff and four seasonal employees.
“I really enjoy seeing the restoration process through from the planning point of it designing the project implementing the project”
Describing the satisfaction of managing ecological restoration projects.
Places Mentioned
BloomingtonEast Marsh Lake Park