Plant a Prairie Project

Rewilding Wichita one yard, one school, one garden at a time.

Plant a Prairie Project is a community-rooted initiative dedicated to restoring native prairie plants, supporting pollinators, and reconnecting people, especially children to the land beneath their feet. Kansas was once nearly 80% tallgrass prairie. Today, less than 4% remains.
We believe it’s time to bring it back together.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Plant a Prairie Project exists to make native planting accessible, hopeful, and community-driven. By replacing small sections of turf with native prairie plants, we create habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects while also restoring a sense of place and ecological pride here in Wichita. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, curiosity, and stewardship.

WHY PRAIRIE MATTERS

Native prairie plants are deeply adapted to Kansas soil, climate, and wildlife. They:

  • Support native pollinators and wildlife

  • Require less water and maintenance once established

  • Improve soil health and prevent erosion

  • Create resilient ecosystems that thrive for generations

When prairie disappears, so do the insects, birds, and balance that depend on it. Planting native plants is one of the most impactful climate actions we can take at a local level.

REWILDING WICHITA: OUR STORY

Plant a Prairie Project grew from a simple observation: There are fewer bees. Fewer butterflies. Fewer wild places for kids to explore. Many children today grow up without ever seeing native plants in bloom — without knowing the names of the pollinators that rely on them, or the quiet magic of watching life return to a space. Rewilding Wichita means restoring not only land, but the relationship between people, plants, and place.

WHAT WE DO

Plant a Prairie Project focuses on small, meaningful actions that add up to big change:

  • Native plant installations in yards, schools, and community spaces

  • Educational outreach for children, families, and educators

  • Seed and starter plant distribution

  • Workshops and planting days led by local experts and volunteers

  • Community partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and local businesses

Every planted prairie, no matter the size, becomes a living classroom.

GET INVOLVED

There are many ways to be part of the Plant a Prairie Project:

  • Plant a native garden at home

  • Volunteer at a planting or event

  • Partner with us for school or community projects

  • Support the project through donations or sponsorships

  • Learn with us through workshops and resources

You don’t need acres of land. A single plant can make a difference.

EDUCATION & FUTURE VISION

Plant a Prairie Project is growing alongside The Broadleaf ecosystem with long-term goals to include:

  • Children’s programming and outdoor classrooms

  • Native plant festivals and community planting days

  • Pollinator corridors connecting neighborhoods

  • Educational resources, care guides, and storytelling projects

  • Collaborations with conservation and ecological organizations

This is long-term work rooted in patience, care, and hope.

Interested in volunteering?

Let’s re-wild Wichita together.
Whether you’re planting your first milkweed, volunteering with your kids, or simply learning more about native plants, you’re already part of the movement.