Members of the Missouri Prairie Foundation gathered Saturday, October 5 on the Morton Prairie, west of Hi Lonesome, for their annual meeting. Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Executive Director, Carol Davit, was pleasantly surprised with the gift of an oil painting of a wild rose on the prairie. The painting was done by Cole Camp’s local artist, Neil Heimsoth and he presented it to Davit.
Neil and his wife Marilyn are avid supporters of the foundation and Neil has often made the prairie a focus for his artwork. Especially well known is his rendition of the Hi Lonesome Prairie west of Cole Camp.
The Heimsoth's spent an afternoon showing various segments of Prairie to Emily Horner this past summer. Ms. Horner is a freelance writer who does consulting work and does Prairie studies. Horner was amazed at how much native prairie is located in northern Benton County. She stated, “I had no idea there was this much and I want to come back for another tour if I can.”
The Missouri Prairie Foundation was created in 1966, fifty-eight years ago. They are governed by a Board of Directors from various areas around the state. Their focus is to protect and restore original, unplowed prairie and other native grassland areas, such as glades and savannas.
This Saturday the members gathered at the Morton Prairie for the annual meeting and the members were afforded the opportunity to go on a guided hike around the acreage. Some had brought tents and were planning on spending the night with the faint hope of possibly seeing the northern lights that had been predicted. The members enjoyed a social hour of various beverages and were served a delicious catered dinner from Kehde’s of Sedalia.
The Foundation took the opportunity to honor Dr. Wane Morton of Osceola, Missouri who has recently donated what is known as the Morton Prairie to the MPF. Dr. Morton sat quietly with a serene smile on his face as he was lauded for his generous gift.
The Markers, Dennis and Susan Lordi Marker, were out of the country visiting family but they were represented by their Son David of St. Louis. The Markers own a piece of Prairie on Moriarity Road but equally important have made matching donations when the foundation is gifted money. The money has been used to establish a fund that allows MPF to be able to purchase a valuable piece of native prairie when it comes up for sale.
Ecologist rank temperate grasslands as the least conserved and most threatened major terrestrial habitat type on earth. Prairie protection efforts in Missouri are essential to preserving the state’s natural heritage. Thanks to the members of the Missouri Prairie Foundation for protecting our treasure.
