Where We Work

Bruns Tract Restoration

This project involves converting a crop field to a diverse mix of grasses and forbs under the Conservation Reserve Program's Conservation Practice 25-- Restoration and Management of a Declining Habitat. The 160-acre property is located within the Green Ridge Grasslands Coalition Focus Area in Pettis County and lies between two properties managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The area is utilized by greater prairie-chickens. Directions: From the jct. of 50 and 65 highways in Sedalia, go south on 65 to the jct. with B highway (at the State Fair Motor Inn).  Go right on B, through Green Ridge and continue west on B.  Three miles west of Green Ridge is Hope Dale gravel rd., turn left.  Bruns parking lot is on the left about 100 yd. up the road.

 

Denison and Lattner Prairies

These two areas encompass 440 contiguous acres on the Vernon and Barton County line, three miles west of Sheldon. The original 240 acres at the site were acquired in 1993 and are high quality native prairie with a total of 320 recorded plant species. Since that time an additional 200 acres, sometimes called the Rader tracts, were acquired and restoration is underway.

Edgar and Ruth Denison were members of MPF. Mr. Denison is most known in Missouri for his work with native wildflowers for the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Forrest Lattner family was a major financial contributor to MPF.

DirectDirections:  (Denison T33N, R31W, S5; Lattner T34, R31, S32) Barton County.  Three and one-half miles west of Hwy. 71 at Sheldon on Hwy. N, 1.5 miles south on county gravel road, 0.25 mile east on gravel road.

 

Drovers' Prairie

Located in Pettis County approximately 10 miles south of Sedalia, this 80 acre site is named for the cattle drovers who historically came through the region. The property was saved by MPF in 1981.

A total of 257 plant species have been recorded here, including Michigan lily, prairie hyacinth, seedbox and cord grass in some of the wetter areas. Greater prairie-chickens have historically utilized Drovers' Prairie.

Drovers' Prairie is a key part of the Grasslands Coalition's Hi Lonesome Focus Area. It is approximately two miles southwest of Paint Brush Prairie Conservation Area (314 acres) and four miles northwest of Hi Lonesome Prairie Conservation Area (627 acres).

Directions:  (T43N, R22W, S1) Pettis County.  Ten miles south of Sedalia on Hwy. 65, then 1 mile west on Hwy. 52 on the south side of the road.

 

Friendly Prairie

One mile north of Drovers' Prairie and nine miles south of Sedalia, this 40 acre prairie was saved by MPF in 1969. It is named for the historic use of the site as an informal stop for travelers.

A total of 257 plant species have been recorded from Friendly Prairie and 52 bird species have been identified here, including greater prairie-chickens.

Friendly Prairie is approximately one mile north of Drovers' Prairie, less than two miles west of Paint Brush Prairie Conservation Area (314 acres) and approximately five miles northwest of Hi Lonesome Prairie Conservation Area (627 acres). It is included in the Grasslands Coalition's Hi Lonesome Focus Area.

Directions:  (T44N, R22W, S25) Pettis County.  Nine miles south of Sedalia on Hwy. 65, 1.25 miles west on Manila Road.

 

Gay Feather Prairie

This 116 acre site in Vernon County was saved by MPF in 1976. MPF owns 76 acres here and the Missouri Department of Conservation owns an addition 40 acres that it purchased in 1984. The name is derived from the showy prairie flowers of the genus Liatris.

A total of 305 plant species have been recorded from the site. Gay Feather Prairie is cooperatively managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and MPF.

Directions:  (T43N, R30W, in SW corner of S1) Vernon County.  Approximately 7.5 miles east of Hwy. 71 at Milo on County Road E, 2 miles south on east side or 4 miles west of Montevallo on E and then south on an unnames county road (watch for the area sign).

 

Golden Prairie

This site forms the anchor of the Grasslands Coalition's Golden Focus Area in Barton County. The original 320 acres of Golden Prairie were saved by MPF between 1970 and 1975 and was declared a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in May 1975.

A total of 310 acres were added in 2002 and are being restored. In addition, 480 acres to the west of the original Golden Prairie is cooperatively managed by the neighboring private landowner. In effect, 1,100 acres are now managed as a unit.

A total of 345 plant species have been recorded at Golden Prairie and greater prairie-chickens have been photographed extensively on the site.

Directions:  (T30N, R29W, S8) Barton County.  Approximately 2 miles south of Golden City and 2.5 miles west on SE 90 Road.

 

La Petite Gemme Prairie

This small prairie in Polk County takes its name, meaning the Little Gem, from the French heritage of the area. It lies along the Ozark Highroad Trail that runs from Willard to Bolivar.

The entire site has been declared a state Natural Area by the Missouri Department of Conservation. A total of 321 plant species occur here.

The site was saved by MPF in 1974 and has slowly been surrounded by development. It is cooperatively managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and MPF.

Directions:  (T33N, R23W, S25)  Polk County.  One mile west on the first county road that lies west of the junction of Hwy. 13 and Business 13, south of Bolivar.

 

Penn-Sylvania and Coyne Prairies

This 160 acre site in Dade County is a key part of the Grasslands Coalition's Stony Point Focus Area. It was saved by MPF in 1971 and lies approximately one mile southwest of the Missouri Department of Conservation's Niawathe Prairie Natural Area (320 acres) and less than two miles southeast of Stony Point Prairie Conservation Area (960 acres).

A total of 288 plant species have been recorded from Penn-Sylvania, which is named for historical towns in the area.

 

In June 2006, MPF purchased 80 acres to the north, traditionally known as Coyne Prairie. MPF will manage the 80 acres in between those sites through a cooperative agreement with the private landowner. Greater prairie-chickens are found throughout the area.

Directions:  Penn-Sylvania (T32N, R28W, S22)  Dade County.  Two miles west of Hwy. 97 on Hwy. E, then south on the gravel road for 0.5 mile, on west side of road; Coyne adjoins Hwy. E.

 

Prairie Fork Conservation Area Expansion

MPF and the Missouri Department of Conservation are working together with the University of Missouri and the private Prairie Fork Trust to create a 1,000 acre conservation area in Callaway County.

MPF owns 200 acres of former crop fields that are being restored to a rich mix of native wildflowers and grasses. To date, 120 acres have been planted and restoration continues. Seed collected from the University of Missouri's Tucker Prairie, the Missouri Department of Conservation's Whetstone and Danville Conservation Areas and other area prairie remnants have been used to supplement seed purchases from vendors who raise local ecotype seed.

Directions:  Take Interstate 70 to Exit 161, go north to Williamsburg and at four way stop, go left (west) on Hwy. D for about 2.5 miles, then go left (south) on Hwy. D crossing over I-70.  Continue south on Hwy. D for about 1.5 miles.

 

Schwartz Prairie

This 240 acre site was saved by MPF in 1991. It is named for conservation pioneers Charles W. and Elizabeth R. Schwartz.

More than 200 native plants, including the rare Geocarpon minimum, have been recorded at Schwartz Prairie. Other rare species found on the site include prairie mole crickets and prairie fringed orchids.

The area is managed in a patch-burn grazing regime with a neighboring private landowner. It is located in St. Clair County.

Directions:  (T36N, R27W, S1)  St. Clair Couty.  Two miles south of Hwy. 82 on Hwy. K, then 1 mile south and 0.25 miles west on gravel road.

 

Stilwell Prairie

In 1995 the Kansas City Southern Railroad donated 376 acres in Vernon County to MPF. Approximately half of the acreage is high-quality native prairie and the rest is in need of restoration, including heavy tree removal. The site is named for Arthur Stilwell, founder of the railroad that forms the western boundary of the site.

A total of 357 plant species have been recorded at Stilwell and recently a pair of prairie chickens were seen at the site.

MPF holds frequent family camping events and prairie work days at this site, which is approximately one mile north of the town of Richards.

Directions:  (T36N, R33W, S3)  Vernon County.  One mile east of Richards on Route H, then one mile north on gravel road.