Golden Prairie

Points of Interest:

• Enjoy a palette of colors and textures from prairie wildflowers and grasses from spring through fall.
• Look for northern harriers and short-eared owls on the prairie in the winter.
• Enjoy a diversity of butterfly species through the spring and summer.

Natural History:

This site supports prairie mole crickets, regal fritillary butterflies, and Arkansas darters — all species of conservation concern.  The area provides habitat for declining grassland birds such as the Henslow’s sparrow.  Golden Prairie is a mosaic of upland dry-mesic sandstone/shale and hardpan prairie along with prairie swale wetlands and headwater streams.  Fifty-four bird species have been observed on the site along with 360 native plant species.  The site is owned and managed by the Missouri Prairie Foundation and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1975 by the National Park Service.