UD Wolter Woods & Prairies

08/03/2026

Stewardship is more than the work we do. It’s a shared calling. 🌎🙏🏼

Today, the Wolter Woods & Prairies team and our summer interns had the privilege of partnering with the Sisters of St. Francis to care for their beautiful 80-acre prairie. Together, we removed woody encroachment and pulled grape vines, helping preserve the health and diversity of this remarkable landscape.

The University of Dubuque’s mission calls us to be good stewards of all God’s human and natural resources. The Sisters of St. Francis remind us that the land is a gift, one that is entrusted to our care with gratitude, respect, and responsibility. ✝️🌱

We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Sisters in caring for a place that has been lovingly tended for generations. Through partnerships like these, we are reminded that conservation is about more than restoring prairies. It’s about honoring creation and ensuring these landscapes continue to flourish for generations to come.

Thank you to the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa for welcoming us and for your shared commitment to caring for God’s creation. 🌿💚

07/10/2026

This week, we said goodbye to our beloved flying squirrel, Bubba, who passed away peacefully on Sunday at the remarkable age of 14. 🐿️🪽

Bubba’s story began in 2013 when University of Dubuque students discovered him at Mines of Spain with severe injuries, including the loss of nearly 20% of the skin on his right wing (patagium). Dr. Gerald Zuercher nursed him back to health, but because he could no longer glide safely, Bubba could never return to the wild. Instead, he found a permanent home where he became an ambassador for his species, inspiring students, families, and visitors with curiosity, wonder, and a deeper appreciation for wildlife. ✨

He was known for his love of pecans, acorn grubs, peanut butter, and, above all, Dr. Gerald Zuercher—the person who cared for him every day for more than a decade. Dr. Zuercher’s favorite memory of Bubba was simply working in his campus office with Bubba happily clinging to his pant leg, keeping him company. 🐾

Our Environmental Specialist, Paige Peterson, laughs that before she ever met Bubba, he had already made quite the first impression by soiling Dr. Zuercher’s Zoology lecture notes before class. After that very first freshman Zoology class, Dr. Zuercher introduced her to the mischievous little flying squirrel responsible—a meeting that would come full circle years later when she returned to care for Bubba at Wolter Woods & Prairies. 📚

Our Conservation Technician, Jess Dix, has her own favorite Bubba story: while moving him between enclosures, he happily accepted peanut butter and head scratches before promptly peeing on her in return. 🥜

That was Bubba—full of personality, always keeping us on our toes, and impossible not to love. 🥰

As flying squirrel populations continue to decline across much of their range, we remain committed to stewarding the forests that animals like Bubba call home.🌳

Thank you, Bubba, for 14 wonderful years of teaching, inspiring, and reminding us that even the smallest creatures can leave the biggest impact. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy lives on in every student, visitor, and child who stopped to marvel at a tiny squirrel with a very big personality. 🐿️🪽

07/02/2026

Meet Brandon Rossetti, our enthusiastic Franzen Fellow from Châteauguay, Québec, Canada! 🌿🇨🇦

As a Biology and Environmental Science major, Brandon is eager to explore biodiversity as he seeks out new insects and fungi while honing his identification skills. 🪲🍄

Fun fact: He’s taken a dip with sharks! 🦈🌊

We can’t wait to see the exciting discoveries Brandon will make this summer at Wolter Woods and Prairies! Stay tuned for more highlights from our incredible Franzen Fellow! 🌟

06/30/2026

Say hello to Jaquelyn Hochrein, our passionate Butler Fellow from Dubuque, IA! 🌱🌼

As an Environmental Science major, Jaquelyn is thrilled to dive into our Lepidoptera research and enhance her identification skills. 🦋✨

Did you know? She once snorkeled with a sea turtle that was bigger than her in Mexico! 🐢☀️

We can’t wait to see the amazing insights Jaquelyn will bring this summer! Stay tuned for more highlights from our incredible Butler Fellows! 🤍💙

06/29/2026

Meet Dazza Mitchell, our dedicated Butler Fellow hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada! 🌿🇨🇦

As a land management intern, Dazza is eager to explore and study the diverse plants, animals, and insects on our property.

With a double major in Biology and English, he’s ready to dive deep into the wonders of nature. 🌱📖

Fun fact: Dazza has braved the rapids while white water rafting through the Costa Rican rainforest! 🌊🌳

We can’t wait to see the incredible discoveries Dazza will make this summer! Stay tuned for more highlights from our amazing Butler Fellows!

06/18/2026

Hey, art lovers! 🎨💚

We’re absolutely buzzing with excitement here at Wolter Woods and Prairies! The talented crew from the Plein Air Painters of Dubuque (PPOD) just dropped by, and wow, did they bring the magic! 🖌️✨

Get ready to witness some stunning artwork that captures the heart and soul of our beautiful University of Dubuque campus! 💙🤍

These amazing artists will be showcasing their masterpieces at the Bisignano Art Gallery this fall, and you won’t want to miss it! 🖼✨

We’re beyond thrilled to share our beautiful space with such creative souls!🫶🏼🌱

06/16/2026

Research starts early at . Five students are gaining hands-on experience at UD’s Wolter Woods and Prairies—and leading projects supported by the John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship and the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship.

🫆: bit.ly/2026ButlerAndFranzenFellowships

06/12/2026

Because we can’t stop raving about the incredible research and discoveries coming out of Wolter Woods and Prairies — empowering students in their studies and supporting Dubuque County’s own research efforts 🕷🌿🍄

A student at the University of Dubuque made a surprising discovery this summer while working at the Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retr

06/12/2026

What started with a flying squirrel has now blossomed into the very first Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at UD Wolter Woods & Prairies 🌿 Environmental science major Tatum Levendahl is the inaugural student-researcher selected for this fellowship. Through her work, Wolter Woods and Prairies has expanded its collection of fungi, arthropods, plants, and so much more, contributing to the growing story of biodiversity on site.

This fellowship is made possible by Pat (Wild) Franzen (C’68) and Dick Franzen (C’67) — a couple whose love for nature continues to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists. 🌳🪲🍄

⏩ Full story bit.ly/FranzenBiodiversityFellowship25

05/22/2026

Celebrating the beauty of biodiversity at Wolter Woods and Prairies! 🌼🌳

Today, on International Day for Biodiversity, we reflect on the incredible variety of life that thrives in our natural spaces. 🐸☀️

From vibrant wildflowers to unique wildlife, every corner of our property tells a story of nature’s resilience. ✨🌱

Join us in honoring and protecting this precious ecosystem!💚🐝