Prairiewood Connect Foundation

Meet the Silky Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum). While its vibrant purple petals and golden centers are stunning, this little plant is more than just a pretty face. Its unique, silvery-green leaves are covered in soft, silky hairs that help it thrive in tough, dry conditions.Why is it important? 🐝🦋

Late-Season Lifeline: Blooming in late summer and fall, it provides a vital source of nectar and pollen when many other flowers have faded.

Pollinator Hero: It is a favorite for butterflies and bees, fueling them for the seasons ahead.

Prairie Essential: Its deep roots and drought tolerance make it a key player in prairie restoration and healthy ecosystems.

Nature’s way of ending the season with a purple bang!
💜🌼

Learn more about why we protect this land:
www.prairiewoodconnect.org

Happy National Prairie Day!

Did you know the prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world? 🌾

It’s easy to look at a field of tallgrass and see just “empty land,” but prairies are actually bustling, biodiverse havens. They have incredibly deep root systems that store massive amounts of carbon, anchor the soil, and support countless pollinators and wildlife. Yet, over 80% of original grasslands have been lost to agriculture and development.The good news? You don’t have to be a farmer or a huge landowner to help protect and restore them! Here is what you can do:

🌸 Plant Native: Swap out non-native plants or turf grass in your yard for native prairie grasses and wildflowers to feed local pollinators.
🛑 Ditch the Pesticides: Harsh chemicals harm the delicate insect populations that our prairie ecosystems rely on.
🤝 Support Conservation: Donate to or volunteer with local land trusts and nature preserves that are actively restoring native habitats.
🗣️ Spread the Word: Share this post to raise awareness about why these “wild” spaces are so important!Let’s do our part to ensure these beautiful, living landscapes don’t fade into history. 🌿✨

Meet Sideoats Grama: The Prairie’s “One-Sided” Wonder 🌾✨Ever noticed a grass that looks like it’s leaning all its energy in one direction? This is Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), a native powerhouse of North American prairies!

Why It’s Special:

Colorful Blooms: It’s one of the few grasses with highly visible flowers! Look closely to see the bright reddish-orange anthers dangling from the spikes during the summer.
A Wildlife Hero: It’s a “larval host” for several species of skipper butterflies, meaning they rely on this grass to grow from caterpillars. Birds also love to feast on its ripe seeds.

Learn more:
www.prairiewoodconnect.org

Watching the prairie renew itself. There is beauty in the burn and strength in the cycle of regrowth. Out of these ashes, a more vibrant ecosystem will grow. 🌱✨

Learn more:
www.prairiewoodconnect.org

There is life found everywhere on the prairie!

This dragonfly is called a Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida). These insects are native to Central and North America. The male, shown here, typically has electric blue coloring with black markings, while females can be brown or blue. They are often found near water sources like streams and ponds, which they use for breeding habitats.

Learn more about why we protect this land at prairiewoodconnect.org

Happy 100th Birthday

What a gift to have you on this planet. We celebrate you today; your kindness, your dedication to protecting our natural world and wildlife, and your unwavering commitment to sharing your wisdom about the extraordinary wild places and creatures that make this Earth so remarkable.

We honor you today and we say thank you! May we all find a way forward in partnership with the natural world the way you have done so thoughtfully and intentionally throughout your 100 years on planet earth!

The wild blue indigo is in full bloom on the prairie. Giving life to all the insects who fuel their tiny bodies with this beautiful flower and keep this breathtaking ecosystem alive.

Pollinators welcome!!! 🐝🦋

Learn more about Prairiewood Connect and our mission to preserve this land at prairiewoodconnect.org

I have been privileged to spend a lot of time outdoors in beautiful natural lands for much of my life. As a child, we vacationed in the northwoods of Wisconsin annually. I remember a heaviness in my chest the last night of our vacation each year as I went around and ‘said goodbye’ to the woods & lake, the loons & the eagles, the smells of conifers & the northern air.

As a young adult, I moved on to a small parcel of wooded land on Wildcat Creek surrounded by tallgrass prairie. Unfamiliar with the prairie, I was not sure what to think of it at first. Over time & after countless hours of walks & talks, silence & stillness the prairie, ponds & creek became a place I turned to for unconditional welcome, care, and grounding.
Besides the tangible resources that our earth provides us, the mystery of the natural world can quite literally transform us.

I am inspired to continue growing in giving back to that which gives so generously to me — and to continue dedicating my life to protecting and sharing it.

May you experience the gifts of the natural world today on Earth Day, and every day.

~ Rebecca Katzenmeier
Founder, Prairiewood Preserve

Misty mornings on Walnut Pond! Learn more about why we protect this land at prairiewoodconnect.org

Any day you get to spend in the prairie is a good day. Learn more about our mission of protecting this land: Prairiewoodconnect.org