Letter to the Editor about Anderson Prairie

(Doctor William Blankenship and Dianne Blankenship of Sioux City have submitted their letter to Luther President Dr. Paula Carlson as a Letter to the Editor):

Although we live across the state, we have found ourselves in Decorah at Luther events often.  These have included Christmas concerts, athletic events, and others.  On several occasions we have enjoyed the Luther prairie reconstructions, particularly at the Iowa Prairie Conference, held at Luther in 2013. 

It is with chagrin that we hear that Luther is considering damaging/eliminating much if not all of Anderson Prairie for a new elementary school.  We think this is a bad choice.  It is very difficult to recreate a prairie.  The work previously done by Luther students and faculty and the ongoing research opportunities on Anderson Prairie will be lost.  Instead of remaining a leading institution in the appreciation of natural areas, biodiversity, and conservation; Luther will slip into the category of those who destroy them.  And will lose its high place in our opinion.

Please reconsider this ill-advised destruction of an important natural area."

(Editor's note: The proposed elementary school would use 7 acres of the 28 acres comprising Anderson Prairie)