BUFRG researchers Freeman-Day and Fischer began in Spring 2020 an investigation of forested and natural/green patches on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus. Data was gathered through University Archives and included historical maps, campus plans, and meeting documents for a study period beginning in the early 1900s when the university was moved to its current location. Maps and plans were reviewed for evidence of a patch being labelled by name, or in some cases visually indicated by drawings of trees. Findings to date include general patterns where patches were typically labelled or indicated on maps (1900s-early 1940s), followed by a period where natural/forested areas were left blank on maps (post WWII into the 1960s), then followed once again by patches reappearing on maps and being suggested for preservation (1960’s to present). Although some natural patches were “lost” (developed) during the study period, others such as Dunn’s Woods and Dunn Meadow have persisted and can potentially be considered as Commons resources. This consideration has inspired an effort to apply Elinor Ostrom's Design Principles in evaluating urban forested patches as Commons (see document here). A draft manuscript on the IUB patch project has been developed and is available here.
The framework for the IUB patch case study will serve as a template to be expanded upon for a larger research project on urban forested patches in the city of Bloomington. The BUFRG team will begin with early maps and city plans to track forested patches within the current limits and combine these with historic aerial imagery to locate and assess size of forested areas at the points of time for each image. The Bloomington project will expand upon the IUB framework by adding GIS analysis of changes in forested patches and an assessment of current ecological condition of a sample of patches. Additional considerations reflect the complexity of a municipal setting as compared to a campus and will include ownership (private, public, etc.) of a patch as well as social/demographic characteristics that could relate to patch condition and preservation over time.