Living Prairie Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Living Prairie Museum |
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| Le Musée-Nature de la Prairie | |
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| Type | Tall grass prairie reserve |
| Location | 2795 Ness Avenue Assiniboia, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3J 3S4 Canada |
| Area | 30 acres (12 hectares) |
| Elevation | 777.6 feet (237.0 m) |
| Created | 1968 |
| Open | May–June (Sun. 10–5) July–Aug. (Daily 10–5) Sep. (Sun. 10–5) |
| Species | 160 |
| Public transit access | 24 Ness Express 25 Ness Super Express 83 - Unicity - Strauss Drive - Murray Industrial Park |
The Living Prairie Museum is a special nature preserve in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It protects a rare type of grassland called a tall grass prairie. This museum covers about 30-acre (12 ha) of land.
It's located in the St. James-Assiniboia area of Winnipeg. This museum is one of the very few places left in Manitoba where you can see what the original tall grass prairie looked like.
Scientists found this important area in 1968. They were looking for native prairie plants. Out of more than 60 places they checked, only four were still untouched. One of the biggest untouched spots was right in a city! Today, this special piece of land is a City of Winnipeg Nature Park.
The Living Prairie Museum is home to over 160 different kinds of prairie grasses and wildflowers. Many types of prairie wildlife also live here. In Manitoba, less than 1% of the original tall grass prairie still exists. This museum helps protect this amazing and rare ecosystem.
The museum has a visitor center with exhibits about prairie history and nature. There's also a cool art display called lost_landscape by artist Collin Zipp.
Contents
History of the Living Prairie Museum
The Living Prairie Museum was created in 1970. The City of St. James-Assiniboia set aside about 26.5 acres (10.7 ha) of land. This land had never been developed or farmed.
People knew how important this prairie was. A report from that time said it was a rare example of original plants. More than 125 plant types were found there, and many were becoming rare in Manitoba.
Because the museum is inside the city, it offers a special chance. It lets people of all ages enjoy a natural piece of our heritage.
In 1973, the city approved building an interpretive center. The center was opened on June 23, 1976. A special ceremony took place in April 1974 with the new Governor General, Jules Leger.
What You Can See and Do
The Living Prairie Museum is a great place to learn about nature. You can explore the trails and see the tall grasses and colorful wildflowers. It's like stepping back in time to see what Manitoba looked like long ago.
Prairie Plants and Wildflowers
The museum protects many different kinds of prairie plants. You can see tall grasses like big bluestem. There are also many beautiful wildflowers. These include purple coneflowers and blazing stars. These plants are important for the prairie ecosystem.
Prairie Animals and Wildlife
Many animals call the Living Prairie Museum home. You might see different kinds of birds, insects, and small mammals. These animals depend on the prairie for food and shelter. It's a great place to observe nature.
The Interpretive Centre
The Interpretive Centre is where you can learn even more. It has displays that explain the history of the prairie. You can also learn about the plants and animals that live there. It's a fun way to understand this unique environment.
Affiliations
The Living Prairie Museum works with other organizations. These include the CMA and the CHIN. It also works with the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Living Prairie para niños
