Wild and Free- my travel blog

North America » United States » South Dakota » Sioux Falls
 
 

United States flagPublished: October 23rd 2009North America » United States » South Dakota » Sioux Falls
October 23rd 2009

wildflowers on the prairiewildflowers on the prairie
wildflowers on the prairie

wildflowers on the prairie where I teach. Sunflowers, eryngo, broomweed, and snow-on-the-prairie
I am working and living in Texas right now, teaching prairie ecology at an outdoor education camp to 5th graders from the Dallas area. The prairie is beautiful, but extremely muddy with all the rain we have had over the past month and a half. The wildflowers that bloomed in the late summer and early fall are beginning to fade away, relaced by the colors of the leaves turning on the trees and grasses.

The prairie land of the Great Plains used to stretch from here in North Texas, through Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, part of Colorado, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and up into Canada. Only 2% of original prairie land is still in existance today. And of that, an even smaller percentage is a still intact ecosystem. In addition to the 200 or so acres of prairie that is part of where I teach, I have recently been able to experience some of the other pieces of prairie that are preserved in this area. LBJ National Grassland is not too far from here, and neither is Caddo National Grassland. I recently took a trip to a tract of virgin prairie in Oklahoma called Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Preserve where
wildflowers on the prairiewildflowers on the prairie
wildflowers on the prairie

a sea of eryngo flowers on the prairie where I teach
the natural ecosystem in virtually intact. Prairie dogs, buffalo, and elk roam free. There are several trails and a wilderness area with rugged trails and backcountry camping. In addition to tallgrass prairie, there are mountains, canyons, a waterfall, and several other interesting natural features.

I am intrigued by the beauty of the prairie that I get to see and teach about every day. It saddens me to think how little of the prairie is actually left. At the same time, it makes my job all the more important to teach the next generation about saving and restoring this amazing and important ecosystem.

I have recently published an article about the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Preserve. Check it out at Associated Content. You can get to it from my other blog jedidiahfree.blogspot.com and click on the article

"A Rare and Ancient Treasure in the Oklahoma Mountains" under the Tuesday, October 20 entry "New Article Published".


There are more photos below
Photos: 10
Displayed: 10



Jedidiah Free
I am a traveler, a rockhound, a prospector, and an entrepreneur. I have traveled to many wonderful places, experienced many awesome things, and am still going strong. I have earned a living as a lapidarist and metalsmith, naturalist, outdoor living skills instructor, backpacking guide, mountain biking and caving instructor, hiking and paddling guide, crafts instructor, writer and artist. My lifestyle is one of self-sufficiency and simplicity. In my world, life is exciting and adventure rules. Come experience my world with me through my writing. You can follow me on Twitter @EarthWealth... full info
JoinedOctober 11th 2009 Trips0
Last LoginOctober 27th 2011 Followers0
StatusBLOGGER Follows0
Blogs4 Guestbook0
Photos25 Forum Posts5
Blog Options
United States
United States mapUnited States flag
Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the origina...more info

Blogged From
Visited Countries
TravelBlog Awards





prairie wildflowersprairie wildflowers
prairie wildflowers

prairie wildflowers at LBJ National Grassland
buffalobuffalo
buffalo

buffalo at Wichita Mountains NWR
buffalo herdbuffalo herd
buffalo herd

buffalo herd at Wichita Mountains NWR
elk herdelk herd
elk herd

elk herd at Wichita Mountains NWR
prairie dogprairie dog
prairie dog

prairie dog at the prairie dog town, Wichita Mountains NWR
Wichita Mountains NWRWichita Mountains NWR
Wichita Mountains NWR

Prairie at Wichita Mountains NWR with mountains in the background
wild longhorn herdwild longhorn herd
wild longhorn herd

longhorns at Wichita Mountains NWR
Wichita Mountains NWRWichita Mountains NWR
Wichita Mountains NWR

sunset view from my campsite at Wichita Mountains NWR






Tot: 0.046s; Tpl: 0.003s; cc: 12; qc: 39; dbt: 0.0294s; 1; s:notus w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.4mb