Summer is the season of growth in our prairies. That’s because many of the grasses you see swaying in the breeze are warm-season grasses, plants that thrive in the heat and soak up the long days of sunshine. Big bluestem, Indian grass, and switchgrass wait patiently through spring and then shoot up quickly once summer temperatures settle in, providing vital cover, habitat, and beauty to our prairie landscape.
Right now, our prairies are painted gold. At first glance, it might look like a single color wash, but take a closer look because dozens of native wildflowers contribute to that yellow glow. Yellow coneflowers nod gently in the wind, while wild senna and black-eyed Susans burst with warm golden petals. Sunflowers and the towering compass plant, with leaves that orient north to south, also add to the summer show. Look closely and you’ll find pops of color in the mix: the vibrant purple of bee balm and the tall, sturdy ironweed stand out like brushstrokes in a prairie painting.
Our most established prairies, like those near the Mills Education Center and in the East Enclosure, are thriving examples of what years of care and restoration can produce. But not all prairies are in the same stage of growth. On the Prezbindowski property, where we’ve begun a new prairie restoration, the landscape is just beginning to wake up. This summer, the field is dotted primarily with lance-leaf coreopsis and brown-eyed Susans, early bloomers that often appear first in a native restoration. Their presence tells us something important: the seeds we planted are taking root, and with time, biodiversity will follow.
Restoring a prairie is a slow and patient process, but each season brings new signs of success. From the towering grasses to the blooms that color the fields, LC Nature Park’s prairies offer a living lesson in resilience, growth, and the beauty of native ecosystems. Whether you’re walking through the golden haze of summer flowers or spotting the first signs of life in a newly planted field, you’re witnessing nature’s quiet but powerful comeback.