Prairies: Blazing with Life by Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

"Prairies: Blazing with Life" Presented by Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Did you know that Wisconsin once had over 2 million acres of majestic wind-swept tallgrass prairie? Colorful and diverse, the original prairies of Wisconsin gave way to European settlement, farming and eventually cities. Former home to the American bison, prairie landscapes provide habitat for hawks, snakes, ground squirrels and badgers today. Resplendent in grasses and forbs (wildflowers), trees are generally kept at bay by grazing and seasonal fires.

Prairie soils are rich in nutrients and many feet deep and can range from wet to dry. These soils provided great farmland, lending credence to our motto of “America’s Dairyland.” We will learn about some of the many species of plants and animals that live in prairies. These rare communities are home to sunflowers, bluestem grass and myriad bees and butterflies. We will also talk about how Native Americans lived with the prairie ecosystem. This program will have a Power Point presentation, plus some examples of plants and supplemented with animal mounts and artifacts.