7 Perfectly Preserved Prairies In Nebraska That Will Take You Back In Time
By Delana Lefevers|Published January 16, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
At one time, most of Nebraska was covered with thick, lush, wild prairie. As settlers tamed the land and molded it to their own uses, the landscape changed and much of the prairie land disappeared. There are many places in the state, however, where the wild Nebraska prairie has either been preserved throughout the years or lovingly and carefully restored to the way it would have looked when the first European settlers ventured into it.
This is by no means a complete list of all of the restored prairie land in Nebraska. There are many larger and smaller parcels, all cared for by people who value the historical and natural value of this unique ecosystem. The seven below make up the properties managed by the Prairie Plains Resource Institute, an organization that has pioneered the preservation and management of natural prairie lands.
1. Guadalcanal Memorial Prairie and Ranch, Sioux County
This 4,944-acre preserve in northwestern Nebraska includes some impressive cliffs, buttes, valleys, and meadows - in the west you can even see all the way to Wyoming's Rawhide Hills. The Niobrara River runs through it, and the fossil beds that are characteristic of this part of the state also occupy the preserve and are under exploration by the University of Nebraska. The prairie is near Agate Hills, the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site, and Toadstool Geologic Park. Its abundant natural beauty does not disappoint.
The prairie is only available to the public with an advance appointment or as part of a PPRI event. See a PDF brochure about the property here.
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2. Olson Nature Preserve, 8 miles north of Albion, Boone County
This is one of our absolute favorite natural spaces in Nebraska. This gorgeous untamed space encompasses 112 acres right at the eastern edge of the Sandhills. Its unique location allows visitors to observe several types of ecosystems in one small area. Observe wetlands, lowlands tallgrass and sandhills prairies, a sandy canyon, and an oak forest all within close proximity.
The nature preserve is open to the public for everyone to enjoy responsibly. See a PDF brochure for the property here.
3. Marie Ratzlaff Prairie Preserve, Hamilton County
The 40-acre Marie Ratzlaff Prairie Preserve is located in the stunning Big Blue River Valley. It is a unique area to visit because it's one of the few Nebraska prairies that has never been plowed for use as cropland. What you see here today is very similar to what the pioneers saw when entering Nebraska for the first time. An exceptionally diverse collection of plants and wildlife call the preserve home, and it has long served as a beloved outdoor classroom for nature lovers of all ages.
Access is free and open to the public; find the PDF brochure for the preserve here.
4. Pearl Harbor Survivors Prairie, north of Kearney, Buffalo County
Central Nebraska is characterized by the gentle rolling Central Nebraska Loess Hills. This 320-acre property is divided evenly into cropland - which is used to generate funds to manage the land - and native prairie. Some of the prairie land has never been broken and is in its true natural state. Of the areas that were once cropland, some have been carefully restored to diverse prairie land, and other parts are returning to their natural state after being used as cropland. A small bison herd roams that land, and cattle occasionally graze here.
The preserve is free and open to the public; find a PDF brochure here.
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5. Frank L. and Lillian Pokorny Memorial Prairie, 11 miles north of Schuyler
Half of this 40-acre preserve is former cropland being restored to prairie. The other half is pristine virgin prairie land. Management efforts here are ongoing to protect the land from invasive species; grazing livestock help with managing and preserving the property as well.
Access is open to the public and there is no entrance fee; see the PDF brochure for the Pokorny Memorial Prairie here.
The Gjerloff Prairie is widely considered to be one of the loveliest examples of a loess hills prairie in central Nebraska. The Platte River runs through it for a short distance, and visitors enjoy lovely valleys and ravines, steep cliffs, sweeping vistas, and an extensive trail system for invigorating hikes.
The Lincoln Creek Prairie and Trail is located in Aurora, the same town where the Prairie Plains Resource Institute is headquartered. The 16-acre preserve is well maintained and open to the community as a place of recreation, learning, and relaxation. It's a true community treasure which links this restored prairie space up with the trail that traverses the entire town. Take a look at the PDF brochure for the preserve here.
Together, these seven preserves encompass 5800 acres. They are maintained as exceptional examples of the North American grassland ecosystem, made available to the public as a way to connect with nature and with our state’s unique history. These are some of our most stunning natural places, and we highly recommend getting out to visit each of them.
