Gathering to Appreciate: National Prairie Day, Prairie Dedication, and Prairie Bioblitz

Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii) is on the federal list of endangered species. Mead’s milkweed can be distinguished from other Asclepias species by the nodding flower head, wavy margins to the leaves, and parallel leaf veins. Photo by Ken McCarty.

The northern crawfish frog (Lithobates areolatus circulosus) is a species of conservation concern in Missouri. This frog uses crawfish burrows as shelter, and feeds opportunistically on a wide variety of prey. For more information, see the MDC Field Guide entry on this species. Photo by Bruce Schuette.

A small population of Canada frostweed (Crocanthemum canadense) was observed, which is a rare plant that can be found on sandy, sunny, well drained sites in stable remnant habitats. Photo by Steve Bubeck.

There were dozens of Ragged Fringed Orchids (Platanthera lacera) in bloom. This species is pollinated by moths.

Tall green milkweed (Asclepias hirtella) was beginning to bloom in early June, and could be seen scattered through the prairie and identified by its fine foliage. Photo by Ken Lynn.

Prairie Indian Plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum) is a member of the Aster family, with rubbery leaves and flat-topped flower clusters. Photo by Amy Short.

Occasionally, Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) petals appear white. Photo by Amy Short.

Blooming Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) at sunset, under the nearly full rising moon. Photo by Amy Short.

There are points on Coyne Prairie where the bedrock is exposed, creating islands of a unique habitat that can host specialized plants. This habitat variation contributes to the overall diversity of the prairie. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

MPF commissioned Artist Julie Farstad to paint several prairie species, displayed at the Snadon Tract of Coyne Prairie during the National Prairie Day celebrations. Her artwork pictured here represents a regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia), a grass-pink orchid (Calopogon oklahomensis), a Henslow’s sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) and a prairie phlox (Phlox pilosa). Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Calls of the northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) echoed through the prairie all weekend. Artist Julie Farstad painted a series of prairie plants and animals that were displayed in the prairie. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Hairy hawkweed (Hieracium longipilum) holding morning dew in its long trichomes. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Terrestrial, burrowing crayfish were observed at this year’s Bioblitz, occasionally on the mowed trail, likely due to being flooded out of their burrows. Once admired by this participant, it was released. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Lead plant (Amorpha canescens), Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), and Large-flowered tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora) in bloom at Coyne Prairie, among Ashy sunflower (Helianthus mollis), and other native warm season grasses. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Photo by Ethan Freese of Platte Basin Timeline.

Artist Julie Farstad painted prairie species, to the delight of attendees who posed with them in photos. Use hashtag #MPFbioblitz when sharing photos on social media to add to the event! Photo by Erika Van Vranken.

Participants immersed themselves in the prairie. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Participants used their binoculars to observe birds in the distant draw between Coyne and Penn-Sylvania Prairies, a preferred habitat for some birds. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

MPF member, bird enthusiast, and former contributor to the Missouri River Bird Observatory, Veronica Mecko led participants on a bird walk, guiding identification of birds by their calls. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Participants learned from each other as enthusiasts and professionals gathered to explore and enjoy the prairie. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Jordanya Raos and Betzaida Rivera of MDC taught participants about the herptiles of the prairie. Lilly Germeroth.

In the evening, blacklights lured insects for inventory and observation. Many thanks to group leaders Eric and Heidi Eaton for their entomological knowledge. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

MPF Vice President of Science & Management Bruce Schuette led attendees on plant walks. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Natural History Biologist Steve Bubeck of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) led attendees on a plant walk. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Steve Craig taught about butterflies and moths, weaving magic tricks in with technical information, before a walk through the prairie to try and capture butterflies for close observation before release. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Sean Maher of Missouri State University taught participants about mammals that can be found on the prairie. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Participants learned about bryophytes – non-vascular plants like mosses – from Lori Hetrick Volenberg of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. For more from Lori on bryophytes, see the webinar she gave for the MPF Webinar series, “MPF Webinar: Exploring Moss Diversity.” Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

Educational opportunities were ample during MPF’s Prairie Bioblitz, and participants could choose from a variety of field study groups to join. Here, MPF Board Member Doug Helmers led instruction on the Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas community science project. Photo by Lilly Germeroth.

On Saturday afternoon, participants filled the tent for welcoming remarks before the dedication of the Snadon Tract of Coyne Prairie from MPF President David Young and other presenters. Photo by Carol Davit.

The Snadon Tract of Coyne Prairie was dedicated and celebrated on National Prairie Day 2025. MPF purchased this 80-acre tract of original, unplowed prairie in March 2025, after being protected for generations by the Snadon family. For more on the history of Coyne Prairie, see the Coyne Prairie webpage at moprairie.org/where-we-work/. Photo by Jan Miller.