Head out to Linden’s Prairie on June 4 to celebrate the first National Prairie Day with prairie walks, talks, dinner and camping on the prairie.
For its 50th anniversary, the Missouri Prairie Foundation established a National Prairie Day to encourage public awareness the value of prairies to modern-day life.
Beginning June 4, 2016, the first Saturday of every June will honor the prairies. The day will encourage activities on the prairies nationwide to inspire support of prairie conservation, restoration and enjoyment, said Carol Davit, executive director of the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MFP).
“National Prairie Day provides a day of focus across the United States to inspire learning, appreciation, exploration of our national prairie legacy and success of national, regional, statewide and local prairie conservation efforts from coast to coast,” said Davit.
MPF will celebrate National Prairie Day by hosting its annual Prairie BioBlitz at Linden’s Prairie in Lawrence County, MO. The event is free and will include biologist-lead walks, a potluck dinner and tent camping on the prairie. For details on the event, call 888-843-6739 or visit moprairie.org.
Native grassland has been dramatically reduced from its once vast 160-million-acre domain across North America to scattered remnants of prairie. These remnants still support a diversity of plants, insects, birds and other grassland wildlife. Larger tracts support cattle ranching, antelope, bison and large animals, and contribute to water quality, soil health, carbon storage, protection in drought and pollinator habitat.
The Missouri Prairie Foundation protects and restores prairie and other native grasslands through acquisition, management, education and support of prairie research. It owns 20 properties totaling more than 3,200 acres of prairie across the state and works with partners on conservation efforts of thousands more acres.
MFP also hosts Grow Native! native plant education.
Learn more about National Prairie Day and how to participate across the nation at nationalprairieday.org.
