Summary: Prairie grassland habitat is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the US. Although prairies were not a large part of the post-glacial landscape in Southeastern Ohio, the disturbance from agriculture and coal mining has resulted in the formation of large-scale non-forested landscapes. The grasslands that were introduced as part of the reclamation process mostly consist of cool-season non-native grasses and few flowering plants. The introduction of warm-season prairie grasses and forbs will create a more diverse landscape providing valuable habitat for wildlife, will help accelerate the restoration of soil structure and nutrient cycling, will provide increased aesthetic value, and provide valuable educational material for students, visitors, and other land stewards. The Wilds is working with several partners to establish prairie systems at the Wilds and to study its ecological interactions.

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