Sunday, June 6th We drive to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge at Prairie City, Iowa. The Learning Center at the refuge explains how the natural prairie is being restored through controlled fires, the re-introduction of native species, and the eradication of invasive plant species. We follow a self-guided driving tour which shows specific techniques being used to restore the prairie. A herd of bison and other animals have been brought to the refuge as part of the prairie restoration. As we have traveled through the Midwest, we have stopped at several sites where the prairie ecosystems are being restored. Only about one percent of the natural prairie still remains, but many universities, wildlife refuges, national parks and nonprofits such as Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society have stepped in to preserve what remains and to
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