New member: The Prairie Corridor

prairie-corridor-horizontal

 

From The Prairie Corridor

Less than 1% of tallgrass prairie once found in the U.S. remains today, and pollinators are declining at an alarming rate that is receiving national attention. By preserving and reestablishing prairie and other natural areas, the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch will provide important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, preserving Nebraska’s heritage and ensuring future generations will be able to experience it.

The Prairie Corridor is a tallgrass prairie passage and trail that will build on our nationally recognized trail and greenway system and link two of Lincoln and Lancaster County’s premier environmental resource and education centers. It will follow the Haines Branch of Salt Creek from the Pioneers Park Nature Center, to the Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area, extend down through the Village of Denton and on to the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center.

The Prairie Corridor project reflects our natural heritage and is a legacy for future generations. It will be implemented by a public-private partnership, with majority of funds coming from grants and private donations. It celebrates the natural heritage of the “Prairie Capital” with a unique tallgrass prairie experience easily accessible from I-80. The trail will link to the area’s nationally recognized trail system and provide a 20-mile round-trip trail ride that will encourage visitors to stay another day in Lincoln.

The Pioneers Park Nature Center and Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center provide unique educational experiences to tens of thousands of visitors of all ages each year. The Prairie Corridor will build on these programs and will help increase the knowledge base regarding pollinator species and tallgrass prairie diversity through research led by the UNL School of Natural Resources.