The Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve at 39,650 acres is the largest protected piece of tallgrass prairie left on earth. We’ll tour the Visitor’s Center to learn how urban sprawl and conversion to cropland have left this once expansive landscape, originally spanning across 14 states, at less than 4% of its original size. A docent will describe how the herd of some 2,500 bison is managed and what “patch-burning” means. You’ll learn what flora and fauna thrive in a native prairie as well as the history of the cattle operations of the early 20^th Century that prevented the land from being plowed, allowing the tallgrasses to continue growing. We’ll visit the original bunkhouse (next door to the Visitor Center). Guests may then explore on their own, walk the prairie trails (three to choose from) or drive the larger prairie to see bison. 

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE (PAWHUSKA, OK)