Prairie Acre Restoration

While serving as a living laboratory for KU students, the Prairie Acre Restoration Project will restore the area to a healthy tallgrass prairie ecosystem by establishing diverse communities of native wildflowers and grasses. The work will entail assessing and evaluating the site’s existing health as a tallgrass prairie; designating procedures for initial restoration and long-term management techniques; and monitoring the comprehensive list of native prairie species that inhabit Prairie Acre. Students who participate will benefit from hands-on learning, which creates more engaging and meaningful educational experiences for students, as well as long-term connections to their natural surroundings, the university and the community. The restored Prairie Acre will serve as a perpetual reminder of the historic tallgrass prairies that once blanketed the state of Kansas, and of the historic KU campus.

Beyond honoring KU traditions and history, and promoting important educational experiences, the Prairie Acre Restoration Project will lead the way for further low-impact maintenance of the KU landscape. Not only will supporting and reintroducing native species help limit and reduce the use of herbicides, it also will help reduce the overall cost of maintenance and water usage.

JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In order to make this project a reality, we are seeking financial contributions from KU alumni and friends who are interested in supporting conservation and preservation of natural resources on the KU campus. Our goal is to return recognition and vitality to a space that will serve as a resource for the entire community, creating natural and historical connections for students of all ages.