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George C. Wheeler
Ant Mound, Oakville Prairie
George C. Wheeler was very familiar with the prairies in Oakville Township. He was a Harvard-educated biologist who served as Chair of Biology at UND from 1926-1963. He and his wife Jeanette authored "The Ants of North Dakota", and "The Amphibians and Reptiles of North Dakota". He was
recognized as the world's leading authority on the larvae of ants. His research studies included the effects of ants on soil and the complex interrelationships of ants with plants and other insects.
recognized as the world's leading authority on the larvae of ants. His research studies included the effects of ants on soil and the complex interrelationships of ants with plants and other insects.
George C. Wheeler
Professor Wheeler was instrumental in the University of
North Dakota obtaining most of the land it has today in Oakville Township. In 1953, he negotiated with the Myra Foundation for the use of the north half of section 9 in Oakville Township. In a letter dated April 8 he wrote: "The need for undisturbed areas of grassland becomes daily more urgent as more and more land is put under cultivation or used for grazing. Such areas are invaluable as controls for studies designed to solve the problems of utilization." In 1960,
he wrote to UND President Starcher: "We would like to get a section of school land near Grand Forks - apparently original prairie - cost about $16,000." The section he was seeking was section 16 of Oakville Township, which the Biology Department subsequently used as a field station for several decades. Ownership of this section was recently transferred to UND, more than 40 years after Wheeler lobbied for its purchase.
North Dakota obtaining most of the land it has today in Oakville Township. In 1953, he negotiated with the Myra Foundation for the use of the north half of section 9 in Oakville Township. In a letter dated April 8 he wrote: "The need for undisturbed areas of grassland becomes daily more urgent as more and more land is put under cultivation or used for grazing. Such areas are invaluable as controls for studies designed to solve the problems of utilization." In 1960,
he wrote to UND President Starcher: "We would like to get a section of school land near Grand Forks - apparently original prairie - cost about $16,000." The section he was seeking was section 16 of Oakville Township, which the Biology Department subsequently used as a field station for several decades. Ownership of this section was recently transferred to UND, more than 40 years after Wheeler lobbied for its purchase.
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