Dedicated to Mr. Jones, the artists and musicians, and especially all the MDC biologists who passionately came together to share their knowledge of Missouri’s tallgrass prairie and its fascinating native species for this feature video.
Twenty years ago, while working on a video on the tallgrass prairie, we came across a poem by Carl Sandburg that captured the essence of this uniquely original American landscape. At the same time, an article appeared on James Earl Jones reading poetry on college campuses. Reading aloud helped him with a childhood stutter, and one of his favorite poets to read was Carl Sandburg. We reached out and he graciously agreed to lend his deep, golden voice to our feature on the tallgrass prairie. Mr. Jones passing last week reminded us of his grace and talent as well as the treasure of our remaining prairie landscapes. Below are some clips as well as information about the tallgrass prairie including where you can view and what you can do to help our prairie species.
AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL: THE BACKSTORY
America’s prairie region stretched from small openings in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west, from Canada in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. The original tallgrass prairie spanned 14 states, covering 142 million acres.
In Missouri, one-third of the state, or roughly 15 million acres of tallgrass prairie existed before European settlement including nearly half of St. Louis and portions of Kansas City.
Creatures adapted to these grasslands flourished in numbers unimaginable today. Our prairies were home to prairie chickens, jack rabbits, badgers, snakes, bison, and important pollinators.
Prairie soils were the deepest and richest on the continent and could absorb water like a sponge that would trickle into clear flowing streams that would support various aquatic species.
As the prairie was converted to crop land and towns, many of these animals disappeared from the landscape. Early pioneers could not easily penetrate the thick network of roots and plant litter. The steel plow changed that in 1838. The prairie opened up for row crops and America’s breadbasket was formed. Fire, the very factor that maintained the prairie, was feared for its threats to human life and property. Suppressing fires provided a safe haven for settlers and thus allowed trees and other plants to take over.
Music was important to prairie life. The soundtrack for this video featured accomplished bluegrass musicians, a violinist from the St. Louis symphony, a native American flutist, and an original composition.
TODAY'S TREASURE
Today, around 40,000 acres, less than one percent, of Missouri’s original prairie remains. What’s left has been compared to postage stamps on a billboard, making true prairies among the rarest of the rare.
Prairies are more than what first meets the eye. Their canvas more subtle than majestic mountains or towering forests. Shaped by open sky and gently sloping hills, the essence of prairie is space. A closer look within reveals an abundance of color, energy, and life.
The deep soils, tall grasses, and plants support a variety of animals and pollinators. Wildflowers bloom from spring through fall, offering an amazing array of color.
You can still experience the landscape that Lewis and Clark and Laura Ingalls Wilder saw by visiting Missouri’s remaining prairies. You’ll find great photo ops in the wide-open spaces and close-up views that prairies provide. The best photo tip we received was to visit prairies around the 5th of each month for peak blooms and it proved very worthwhile visually.
WHERE YOU CAN VIEW
Fall is a great time to visit our prairies, and less encumbered by summer pests like ticks and chiggers. This time of year, you may see migrating monarchs, the rare Regal Fritillary butterfly females out laying eggs, the American bumblebee, blooming asters, and waving grasses. Bring your sunscreen, repellent, and water and experience one of the world’s rarest landscape gems.
TALLGRASS PRAIRIES AND REMNANTS
Our prairies provide great artistic inspiration as well as nature and landscape experiences. Here's a sampling of some to visit around the state. You can view selected images from some of these areas in the Media Gallery below.
Calvary Cemetery (St. Louis)
Just north of the city, this historic cemetery where famous residents lay in rest offers an oasis in the city of waving golden fall grasses, a variety of birds, a wealth of pollinators, turkeys, foxes, and more. MDC manages the prairie remnant through a partnership that helped restore this treasured habitat in the cemetery. Discover more about this prairie.
Jerry Smith Park (Kansas City)
According to KCMO Parks and Recreation, “the park contains the largest remaining tract of remnant prairie on the Missouri side of the metro and the only one in the city limits of Kansas City, MO. There are also hiking trails at the park.
Snowball Hill Prairie (Harrisonville MO)
Near to Kansas City is Snowball Hill Prairie, named for its lone hill, “featuring dry-mesic limestone/dolomite prairie on the hilltop to mesic prairie on the lower slope and wet-mesic prairie at the bottom,” according to the Missouri Prairie Foundation which acquired and reconstructed the tract that included an unplowed section. A gravel trail leads up the hilltop of this remaining original prairie with over 200 native plant species.
Helton Prairie Natural Area (near Bethany, MO)
This deep-soiled upland prairie in northern Missouri is great for wildflower viewing from spring through fall. It’s one of the few prairies left in the state that support the rare western prairie fringed orchid.
Sand Prairie Conservation Area (near Cape Girardeau, MO)
This area is managed to support species that rely on sandy prairies, savannahs, and swale ephemeral wetlands. Check the area regulations before going.
La Petite Gemme Prairie Conservation Area (near Bolivar MO)
French for “little gem” this prairie was named as a nod to early settlers. The area is designated as a Natural Area, meaning it represents the best of Missouri’s original landscapes. This prairie is owned by the Missouri Prairie Foundation and managed by MDC. The Frisco Highline Trail that runs from Springfield to Bolivar, crosses the area at mile 32. Northern bobwhite, Henslow’s sparrow, and scissor-tailed flycatchers have been seen here.
Taberville Prairie Conservation Area (Near Nevada/El Dorado Springs)
Wah’ Kon-Tah Prairie (Near El Dorado Springs, MO)
These areas were home to a variety of plant and animal species and is managed today with prescribed burning, grazing and other tools. Birdwatching and hunting are tow recreational activities. Check area regulations before you visit.
Home to a variety of rare species like prairie chickens, prairie mole crickets, Pink Katydid, Henslow’s Sparrow, Northern Crawfish frog, and Regal fritillary butterflies. This area is also managed simulating historical forces that shaped the prairie like grazing, prescribed burning, as well as other tools. Check area regulations before you visit.
Prairie State Park (north of Joplin MO)
If you want to see bison, this is the place to visit. You can see wide vistas of waving grasses and changing wildflowers There's also a visitor center with exhibits and interpretive programs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
You can help the species that relied on the tallgrass prairie by planting native species in your yard, back forty, or help with community projects. Native plants like Asters, Coneflowers, and Blazing Stars will provide beauty and help our essential pollinators.
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