Prairie Plains Resource Institute

05/08/2026

We’re kicking off Saturdays at Gjerloff Prairie tomorrow morning with our Spring Wildflower Hike and Greenhouse Tour! Join us for a stroll through the prairie bluffs and take in spring blooms and the beautiful views. We’ll also check out what’s growing in the current greenhouse and share the progress on our new greenhouse currently being constructed! And plan to enjoy conversation, coffee, iced tea and cookies at the Education Center after the hike.

We have three more Saturday events over the next month - Check them out here:

Turtles of Nebraska on Saturday, May 16th
Yoga on the Prairie on Saturday, May 30th
Prairie Plains Fun Run and Walk on Saturday, June 6th

We hope to see you out at Gjerloff Prairie soon!

05/07/2026

https://www.ksnblocal4.com/video/2026/05/07/prairie-plains-resource-institute-is-raising-funds-during-go-big-give-clipped-version/

Visit gobiggive.org for details.

05/07/2026

Today is the day! If you believe time in nature is an invaluable part of growing up, if you like the idea of kids exploring the Platte River rather than exploring social media and if you’d like to give the gift of curiosity to tomorrow’s leaders, please consider a donation to our summer camps during Go Big GIVE, a fundraising effort presented by Heartland United Way and the Grand Island Community Foundation. Head to https://www.gobiggive.org/organization/prairieplains to donate.

Check out more photos of SOAR through the ages and feel free to post in the comments if you have SOAR memories or photos you’d like to share!

Thank you!!!

05/07/2026

It’s not easy to be a kid right now. Technology keeps our kids inside and steals their creativity and curiosity. We believe young people benefit from time outside exploring, investigating and adventuring. SOAR, the Youth Naturalist Program and Young Nebraska Ecologists provide kids with opportunities to connect with the natural world and learn from presenters and educators that are passionate about Nebraska’s ecology, art, history and agriculture.

If you like the idea of kids exploring the Platte River rather than exploring social media, please consider a donation to our summer camps during Go Big GIVE, a fundraising effort presented by Heartland United Way and the Grand Island Community Foundation. Head to https://www.gobiggive.org/organization/prairieplains to donate.

Feel free to post in the comments if you have SOAR memories or pictures you’d like to share!

05/04/2026

The first SOAR camp was offered 34 years ago! The world has changed a lot since 1992, but SOAR really hasn’t. We’re still dedicated to offering opportunities for kids to explore the natural world where they live while learning about science, history, agriculture and the arts. It creates a sense of place that we hope stays with them forever, and it energizes us to continue to fulfill our mission of connecting people and prairies. MANY SOAR alumni are now leaders in their communities, sharing their passion, experience and curiosity with the people around them.

If you’d like to give the gift of curiosity to tomorrow’s leaders, please consider a donation to our summer camps during Go Big GIVE, a fundraising effort presented by Heartland United Way and the Grand Island Community Foundation. Head here to make a donation: https://www.gobiggive.org/organization/prairieplains And check out these pictures of SOAR through the ages and stay tuned for more! Feel free to post in the comments if you have SOAR pictures or memories you’d like to share.

04/30/2026

Prairie Plains turns 46 years old today! We're so very thankful for all of our wonderful friends, members and conservation partners through the years! It takes a village to conserve and restore prairie ecosystems and connect people to the land. Thank YOU!

04/28/2026

The official start to the 2026 seed harvest season is here! On Thursday we started harvesting seed from field pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta). Dry and warm conditions early this spring prompted this species to bloom a bit earlier and produce seeds quickly.

We also harvested some groundplum milkvetch (Astragalus crassicarpus) seed pods from last year found next to blooming plants a couple weeks ago. This seed will be used in the greenhouse to grow plugs of this species.

We’re sure thankful for the recent rain and cooler temperatures this week. Stay tuned for more seed harvest updates later this spring and into the summer!

04/27/2026

Since 1992 we’ve been getting kids wet and muddy at Summer Orientation About Rivers (SOAR) summer camp. There is nothing more rewarding than sharing the beauty of our local natural areas and the passion of our presenters and SOAR staff while creating lifelong memories and connections with wild places.

If you believe time in nature is an invaluable part of growing up, please consider a donation to our summer camps during Go Big GIVE, a fundraising effort presented by Heartland United Way and the Grand Island Community Foundation. Head to https://www.gobiggive.org/organization/prairieplains to donate. And check out these pictures of SOAR through the ages ☀️💦🐟🪲🦅 Feel free to post in the comments if you have SOAR memories or pictures you’d like to share!

04/23/2026

A collection of photos in celebration of Earth Day and spring out in the prairie 🌾🌸🌱☀️🌎 We've sure been enjoying the first blooms of the year at Gjerloff Prairie and Sherman Ranch over the last couple weeks. We hope you have the opportunity to visit and connect with a prairie near you this spring 💚

04/21/2026

We had a great time Friday afternoon with the UNO students in Dr. Tom Bragg’s restoration ecology class! They went on a restoration tour through the seed barn and greenhouse and spent some time checking out Gjerloff Prairie. It’s a joy to spend time with such engaged and passionate students. The future of prairie conservation and restoration looks bright! ✨