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Missouri
Grand River Grasslands: Dunn Ranch & Pawnee Prairie
Open to the Public
Yes
Things To Do
Hiking, bird watching, wildflower viewing, exploring. View All
Plan Your Visit
Tips and guidelines for visiting this preserve. View All
Get Directions
The combined restoration of this area including Iowa and Missouri will be more than 70,000 acres. Efforts to restore a tallgrass prairie landscape and provide critical corridors for grassland species are moving forward through intensive restoration of prairie systems and natural communities through partnership with private landowners and other conservation organizations. The greater prairie chicken and Henslow's sparrows are signature species on this native prairie. A herd of bison was reintroduced onto the landscape in the autumn of 2011.
Why You Should Visit
On the wide-open expanses of Dunn Ranch and Pawnee Prairie, prairie chickens still perform their colorful spring "booming", the upland plover's ghostly call carries in the wind, regal fritillary butterflies alight on gorgeous coneflowers, and bison roam across rolling hills.
Location
Harrison County, north of Bethany
Hours
Daylight
Size
Dunn Ranch: 3,247 acres
The Nature Conservancy's Pawnee Prairie: 434 acres
Missouri Department of Conservation's Pawnee Prairie: 476 acres
Area in Grand River Grasslands protected by The Nature Conservancy: more than 5,000 acres
Grand River Grassland restoration landscape: 70,000 acres.
Conditions
The area is marked by high vegetation from late spring through fall. Large rolling hills make for a moderate hike. It is frequently windy, and spring can be very cool and breezy on the prairie. In summer it is often very hot, with little shade. Beware of cattle on Dunn Ranch.
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Temperate grasslands are the least protected major habitat type on earth. In the entire Central Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion, an area spanning 110,000 square miles and parts of six states, Dunn Ranch represents possibly the last chance to conserve a living landscape of tallgrass prairie on deep soil. Of the original 2,281-acre Dunn Ranch purchased by the Conservancy in 1999, more than 1000 acres have never been plowed. Today, Dunn Ranch is the anchor site of a 70,000-acre prairie restoration thatextends into Iowa.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Conservancy is working closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Iowa DNR and other partners to restore a functional tallgrass prairie. Controlled fire, conservation grazing and woody reduction are being used on a large scale to abate the degradation of habitat caused by invasive species, such as fescue and Osage orange and locust trees.
Photos
Prairie chickens "boom" at Dunn Ranch every spring.
Native Prairie Milkweed can be found at Dunn Ranch.
Thousands of pounds of native seed are harvested and sown every year at Dunn Ranch.
Video
Hear the story of Dunn Ranch Prairie and find out how bison were returned to the landscape.
"Living St. Louis" producer Jim Kirchherr travels to Dunn Ranch Prairie to watch these rare birds perform their 'booming' mating ritual.
Things To Do
What to See: Animals
This preserve is home to a suite of grassland birds, including greater prairie chickens, Henslow's sparrows, upland sandplover, sedge wrens, grasshopper sparrows, Northern Harrier, Bobolink, and Dicksissel. Bison were reintroduced in October 2011. Plans are in place for the reintroduction of Topeka Shiner.
What to See: Plants
The native seed nursery at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Pawnee Prairie showcases 28 forbs and grasses that are being used in the restoration efforts. A vast array of native wildflowers and grasses can also be found, including little bluestem, big bluestem, switch grass, Indian grass, rattlesnake master, prairie violet and downy blue gentian.
Plan Your Visit
Some or all areas of the preserve may be temporarily closed due to restoration efforts. Please call the Dunn Ranch office at (660) 867-3866 prior to your visit. Check the local weather forecast and dress accordingly. Long pants and sleeves, hiking boots, drinking water, hat and compass are recommended. During warm weather, light color and light-weight clothing is suggested. Repellent, binoculars, and field guide(s) are also worth bringing.
Preserve Visitation Guidelines
Directions
Take I-35 to the Eagleville exit
- Travel west on Highway N, and continue until you come to Highway 69
- Turn right (North) for a short distance to Highway M, just beyond the
Community Center on your right - Turn left on Highway M and take it to Dunn Ranch
- Travel Highway M for 5-7 miles to West 180th Street and turn right.
The property on both sides of the road is Dunn Ranch.
Discussion
Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.
Add Your Comments
Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!
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