Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

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Native prairie refers to an ecosystem of interconnected plants, animals, soils, climate and cultures. Native prairie is a landscape where climate and disturbance over thousands of years have favored grassland over forest.
Prairies were once the largest continuous ecosystem in North America, but today they are one of the continent's most endangered habitats. The near elimination of native prairies and savannas (prairie with scattered trees) has inspired many efforts to protect remaining parcels.
For more information, visit mndnr.gov/prairie.