Prairie Trail

The Prairie Trail winds through restored tallgrass prairie habitat, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Interpretive signs identify native plants like big bluestem, compass plant, and purple coneflower while explaining the ecological importance of prairies for pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and soil health.

Less than 1% of the original tallgrass prairie that once covered the Midwest remains intact. Crabtree Nature Center's prairie restoration program uses prescribed burns and native seed planting to recreate this vanishing ecosystem and educate visitors about its importance.