The tallgrass prairie ecosystem, unique to North America, is an important part of our natural heritage.
Only 1% of the original tallgrass prairie remains. With 99% of prairies gone, they are more rare than rainforests.
Because so little of this native habitat remains, many prairie species are rare or endangered.
The prairie is home to many kinds of beautiful flowers and deep-rooted grasses. Some prairie species may also have important medicinal and/or economic uses.
Millions of bison, commonly known as buffalo, used to roam the prairie; they are America's largest land mammals.