This Saturday, October 5 the Missouri Prairie Foundation welcomes the public to attend the dedication of the Morton Family Prairie just west of Cole Camp.
The Morton Prairie was generously donated to the Missouri Prairie Foundation by Dr. Wayne Morton, a lifelong leader in natural community conservation and former president of the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF).
The Morton prairie is a 380 acre tract in Benton County to the east of “Friendly Prairie”, “Drover’s Prairie”, and the “Lordi Marker Prairie” and is one mile northwest of Cole Camp and is adjacent to the Conservation’s “Hi Lonesome Prairie”.
The Morton Family Prairie is dry-mesic chert prairie, and includes 178 acres of unplowed, remnant Tall grass prairie. There is one small pond in one of the prairie swales. The Morton Prairie supports at least 79 native plant species. So far this Prairie has been found to support 3 species of conservation concern, Mead’s milkweed, the Regal Fritillary Butterfly and the Prairie Mole Cricket. Future studies will provide additional information about the biological diversity of this prairie. The prairie is open to the public for hiking and nature viewing.
The Saturday event is free (except for the optional dinner) with dedication and walking tours of MPF’s Morton Family Prairie. There are complimentary beverages of wine, beer and soft drinks served at a 5 p.m. social hour.
Between 2:00-2:45 p.m. and 3:00-3:45 p.m. there are guided tours of the prairie, followed by the dedication at 4:00 p.m. From 4:45 to 5:00 p.m. the annual member meeting will be held with members voting for director nominees. The prairie will be open for free camping on that Saturday night and the MPF hopes everyone will remember to donate to support the foundation’s conservation work.
