Nine Mile Prairie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Nine-Mile Prairie
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Grasses at Nine-Mile Prairie
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Lincoln, Nebraska |
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| Area | 228 acres (92 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002089 |
| Added to NRHP | July 30, 1986 |
Nine Mile Prairie is a special place in Nebraska, United States. It's a large area of protected tallgrass prairie. This prairie is found in Lancaster County, near Lincoln. It's called "Nine Mile Prairie" because it's about 9 miles (14 km) from downtown Lincoln.
Most of Nine Mile Prairie has never been plowed. This makes it one of the biggest areas of original tallgrass prairie in Nebraska. A big part of it, about 228 acres (92 ha), was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Contents
History of Nine Mile Prairie
Nine Mile Prairie has an interesting past. It was once owned by the United States Department of Defense. During World War II, it was part of a safety zone around a bomb storage area.
After the war, the land was sold to the City of Lincoln. Later, in 1966, the Lincoln Airport Authority took care of it. Finally, in 1983, the land was given to the University Foundation.
What Happens at Nine Mile Prairie Today?
Today, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln manages Nine Mile Prairie. The university uses this land for many important things.
Research and Learning
Scientists and students use the prairie for research. They especially study prairie ecology, which is how living things interact with their environment. Research here started way back in the 1920s. Professor John Ernest Weaver and his students were some of the first to study the plants here.
Recreation and Enjoyment
People can also visit Nine Mile Prairie for fun. It's a great place to explore nature and see what a real prairie looks like.
Plants and Animals of the Prairie
Nine Mile Prairie is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It's a very important habitat for wildlife.
Prairie Plants
The prairie has many types of grasses. Some, like big bluestem, can grow very tall, up to six feet (1.8 meters)! You can also find prairie trees here, such as cottonwoods and honey locusts.
Sometimes, plants like sumac and eastern juniper trees can grow too much. These plants are controlled to keep the prairie healthy. This helps the original prairie plants thrive.
Scientists have found 392 different kinds of plants at Nine Mile Prairie.
Prairie Animals
Many animals live on the prairie. About 80 different kinds of birds have been seen here.
Special Species
Some animals at Nine Mile Prairie are very rare. One is the prairie white fringed orchid, which is a federally threatened flower. Another is the beautiful regal fritillary butterfly.
You might also see bluebirds and white-tailed deer. Long ago, large groups of bison would have roamed through this area.
 | Jewel Prestage |
 | Ella Baker |
 | Fannie Lou Hamer |
