Native grasslands once covered more than 15 million acres of Missouri land. Now only one percent of Missouri’s prairies are still in existence. In addition to the loss of these native grasses and plants, the destruction of Missouri’s prairies also impacted the wildlife that grazed on these grasslands. Bison, prairie chickens, small mammals and many other types of small birds and insects live can be found on Missouri prairies but their numbers have dwindled along with the grasslands over the years. Conservationists have been hard at work restoring Missouri’s native grasslands and today you can visit Dunn Ranch Prairie and see the breathtaking prairie landscape and the beautiful wildlife that calls Dunn Ranch home.

Dunn Ranch Prairie is located in northwest Missouri and encompasses nearly 3,330 acres.
The Nature Conservancy Website
Dunn Ranch is home to one of Missouri's largest wild bison heard. Currently there are 91 bison at Dunn Ranch.
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr
After 160 years bison returned to Missouri prairies. In 2011, 30 bison were reintroduced to Dunn Ranch and have thrived in their new home.
USFWSmidwest/Flickr

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Another animal to make a triumphant return to Missouri prairies is the endangered prairie chicken.
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr
Prairie chickens, also known as Boomers because of their flashy mating ritual, have been reintroduced to Dunn Ranch as apart of a conservation project to increase their numbers throughout the state.
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr
Missouri once had hundreds of thousands of these birds but now there are only about 500 prairie chickens left in the Show Me State.
If you're interested in visiting Dunn Ranch Prairie to capture these beautiful animals contact Missouri Department of Conservation's Northwest Regional Office in St. Joseph, 816-271-3100. You will then receive a registration packet with maps, times, notes about photography and instructions on what to bring for a successful trip.
The Nature Conservancy Website
Find Dunn Prairie Ranch at 16970 W 150th St., Hatfield.

Have you seen a wild bison or prairie chicken? Tell us what you would be most interested in seeing when visiting Missouri’s prairies.

Do you love spending time outdoors? If yes, you’ll want to find out about the 15 most relaxing spots in nature in Missouri.

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