Prairie Day from Ice Age onward at Burr Oak Woods

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News from the region
Kansas City
Published Date
09/16/2010
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KANSAS CITY MO -- In the big picture, what became the Kansas City region was once a prairie ecosystem interspersed with scattered woodlands, rivers and wetlands. Today it’s the heartland of the world’s richest agriculture region.

The grassland story from the Ice Age to today will be told with demonstrations, games, live animals, re-enactments and walks through restored native grasslands from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs.

“Prairie Day” will showcase the natural forces that created the tallgrass prairie and woodland ecosystem, and how this natural resource has changed as it helped sustain people through the centuries. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s restored grassland and savannah areas at Burr Oak demonstrate the beauty and importance of prairies today.

“We want people to learn what role we all play in recreating a piece of the heart of our state,” said Lisa Lacombe, Burr Oak manager.

The event at 1401 N.W. Park Road is free and families with children of all ages are welcome. Hands-on activities will include tagging monarch butterflies, banding prairie birds, flint knapping and making your own pioneer rag doll. There will be a hayride, weather permitting. The Missouri Wildflower Nursery will sell native plants for lawn and garden landscaping.

For more information, call 816-228-3766