A day full of activities has been planned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The “Partners for the Prairie Celebration” will feature back-country hiking, house and prairie tours, living history demonstrations and an auction of an original painting of the Lower Fox Creek School by artist Judith Mackey, according to a news release from the Kansas Park Trust.
Jim Hoy, author of “Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve: Heart of the Flint Hills” and “Flint Hills Cowboys,” will be available beginning at 10 a.m. for a book-signing. Children who want to participate will dress in historic clothing, walk to the Lower Fox Creek School and attend early 1880’s classes taught by “Miss Heather.” Mackey also will be painting onsite and teaching Flint Hills landscape painting techniques. Beginning or advanced artists who want to take part may call 273-8139 for a list of items to bring for the class.
A Kansas Geological Survey team will lead a guided tour to find flint and to explain its elements, and three outings will be taken to explore life forms found in Fox Creek. Former ranch hands from the Davis, Merril, Nolan Grain Company and the Z Bar Ranch will talk about historic ranching, then compare modern-day ranching techniques and grazing practices at the Preserve.
Thomas Eddy of Emporia State University, will talk about plants and their reputation as “nature’s pharmacy and grocery store,” before leading a walk among the wildflowers in the area.
Staff from the Kansas Lottery also will be present to announce a new promotion, “Flint Hills Lottery.”
Volunteers, staff and community members who have worked to make the Preserve successful will be honored during afternoon events.
The cost to attend for the day is $15 for adults and $6 for children aged 5 to 11. Children ages 4 and under will attend at no charge. Proceeds from the event will go to support the preserve.
The preserve is operated through a public-private partnership of the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy and the Kansas Park Trust. The preserve is one of the last publicly accessible remnants of the tallgrass prairie, the release stated. More information about the event may be had by calling Louise M. Carlin of the Trust at (620) 273-8139, or e-mailing her at louise_carlin@partner.nps.gov.
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