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Prairie Studies

Long-known for its focus on environmental studies, Bethel’s biology department manages two native prairie tracts of land: a rare 80-acre Sand Prairie Natural History Preserve just minutes from campus as well as the 80-acre Broadie Prairie Preserve in the Kansas Flint Hills (the largest expanse of original tallgrass prairie left on the continent). In spring 2007, tallgrass prairie and oak woodland restoration studies were established immediately east of the Bethel campus. For years, biology faculty and student collaborators have studied plant communities, soils, small mammals, birds, snakes and amphibians within these prairie tracts. Biology students have numerous opportunities to conduct hands-on research in these long-term prairie projects.