Pleasant Run Creek Prairie dedication Saturday

A regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) at rest on the Missouri Prairie Foundation's newly acquired Pleasant Run Creek Prairie. The regal fritillary, whose larvae feed on the leaves of prairie violets, is a species of conservation concern in the state, rated as vulnerable. With the purchase and protection of Pleasant Run Creek Prairie, which is adjacent to the Missouri Prairie Foundation's Denison and Lattner Prairies, the Missouri Prairie Foundation is expanding protected, native grassland habitat in the area that will benefit the regal fritillary and many other prairie-dependent plants and animals.

Nevada Daily Mail

The Missouri Prairie Foundation will hold a dedication of Pleasant Run Creek Prairie, as well as a walking tour of the site and the adjoining Denison Prairie at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Tallgrass prairie once covered more than 15 million acres of Missouri, but today less than one-tenth of one percent, or fewer than 90,000 scattered acres, remains. Thanks to the support of generous supporters, as of late 2014 the Missouri Prairie Foundation owns and protects two more original remnants of this tiny percentage.

Photos by Missouri Prairie Foundation Vice President of Science and Management Bruce Schuette. A summer view of Pleasant Run Creek Prairie with purple coneflowers and other prairie flowers in full bloom.

"In an era of rapidly dwindling original prairie resources," said Carol Davit, the Foundation's executive director, "this is a huge accomplishment for conservation." While the Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization, its more than 3,000 total acres of prairie in 18 different tracts are open for the public to enjoy.

In November 2014, the Missouri Prairie Foundation acquired the 180-acre Pleasant Run Creek Prairie in Vernon County from a private individual. A grant from The Conservation Fund's Midwest Habitat Fund -- established using funds for mitigation of impacts caused by the construction and maintenance of the Enbridge Pipelines, LLC, Flanagan South Pipeline, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- as well as a gift from Foundation member Ed Schmidt, made the purchase of this original, unplowed prairie possible.

The site contains a prairie swale, a particularly rare prairie habitat. Pleasant Run Creek adjoins the Foundation's 320-acre Denison Prairie and is very close to the Foundation's 120-acre Lattner Prairie as well; the new acquisition increases the overall prairie footprint in the area, which provides expanded wildlife habitat as well as soil and water conservation benefits.

"The Missouri Prairie Foundation is extremely grateful to the donors who made the acquisition of these prairies possible," said Foundation president Doris Sherrick. "We invite all to enjoy these prairies, and to take part in the Foundation's continuing efforts to build its capacity to protect and restore more acres of land." The Foundation, which launched a 50th anniversary fundraising campaign in 2014, will recognize this significant milestone in 2016. With a goal to raise $4 million, more than $3 million has been raised to date.

To RSVP for the dedication of Pleasant Run Creek Prairie, call 888-843-6739 or email info@moprairie.com. Details about these events, and maps and directions to the prairies, are available at www.moprairie.com.

Pleasant Run Creek Prairie is located in Vernon County on Zodiac Road, about 3 miles west of Sheldon. From I-49, take exit 88 and turn south onto the outer road on the west side of the highway. Drive 1 mile south until the road turns west and becomes Zodiac Road, then continue west for 2.2 miles. The prairie is on the north side of the road. Park on the side of the gravel road near the west uphill gate. By GPS N37 38.894 W94 20.765 (in decimal degrees, 37.648242 -094.3460.