Q: Where is all the tall grass?

A: It is a common misconception that one will see an entire prairie of six feet tall grasses blowing in the wind at any time of the year. In the spring the grasses will not have reached their full height; they are just beginning to grow. It takes nature an entire season to grow the prairie grasses. Think of "tall in the fall". The tallest grasses grow in the bottomland areas where more water is available. The grasses on the prairie uplands will generally grow to three feet high. 

Q: When will we see bison on the tallgrass prairie landscape and how many will there be? 

A: The National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy are formulating a bison management plan that will reintroduce a native grazer to the landscape, while assuring that bison have adequate grazing, water resources, and fencing. Genetically pure bison will be reintroduced to the prairie landscape when the plan is complete and everything in place. The plan will decide the herd size, based on the grazing area available for the health of the animal.

The preserve is committed to this project and we ask the public to be patient, because anything worth doing is worth doing well. To hurriedly place bison on the landscape simply to satisfy public interest without fully formulating a plan would be negligent, both to the bison and the resource. Approximating the herd size without a completed bison management plan is impossible. Important decisions must be made first, before bison are reintroduced to the preserve landscape. The resource and the health of the bison lie in the balance.

Q: Why is the preserve developing so slowly?

A: As stated before, anything worth doing is worth doing well. The preserve is a developing park and this development is part of the excitement. Each year new and varied interpretive programs, special events, out-reach programs, and educational opportunities are taking place. Planning for the entire development is vital, because one activity will effect another both positively and negatively. For example it would not be wise to allow an activity that will be detrimental to the prairie or the cultural resources. For this reason, sometimes it appears that the preserve is developing slowly. Planning for preservation and education is very important, because once resources are damaged it is too late. Growing at a slower pace allows managers to make wise decisions without harming the resources. 

In the lifetime of a park, the preserve is actually developing quite rapidly. Within four years of the park's creation, a General Management Plan was completed. This plan was developed with input from the public, allowing everyone's voice to be heard. Some parks do not have such a plan for 15 - 20 years. This plan sets the stage for future development and visitor experiences, while protecting the natural and cultural resources. Ultimately the National Park Service's mission is to preserve those natural and cultural resources for future generations. Without these resources, there is no reason to visit these special places. We encourage everyone to continue revisiting the preserve to experience both the natural and cultural resources the preserve has to offer.

Q: When will the preserve stop cattle from grazing and when will we only see bison on the landscape?

A: Grazing with historic cattle breeds and bison will always remain on the preserve landscape. Cattle and bison have different grazing habits that individually benefit the prairie's health. Bison prefer grasses, while cattle prefer forbs (plants/wildflowers). Grazing with both bison and cattle assists prairie diversity, while giving opportunities to educate the public about the cultural history of the Flint Hills.

Q: How are fire and grazing interconnected with the health of the prairie?

A: The prairie requires both fire and grazing. Fire rids the prairie of woody plants and dead undergrowth that slows the growth of new grasses, while grazing allows seeds to develop in newly disturbed areas. Grazing also stimulates plant growth. Historically bison were the largest (size) grazers on the prairie landscape. After the almost complete slaughter of the bison in an attempt to control the American Indian, the Flint Hills eventually developed into a prime location for fattening cattle before shipment to market. Cattle can gain up to two pounds per day on the lush bluestem grasses of the Flint Hills. The Flint Hills area is so rocky it cannot be easily farmed, so it became useful to large cattle ranchers. Historically it became common practice to ship cattle to the Flint Hills to graze before selling at market. This practice still holds true today. The preserve works with its partners to optimize the amount of grazing on the landscape to promote the full expression of a diverse prairie ecosystem allowing both plant and animal life to flourish. Working together, fire and grazing promote prairie health.

Q: Where can I take my pet for a walk at the preserve?

A: See Operating Hours and Seasons page for more details