by Natalie McNeely, intern

Watching a prairie flower throughout the spring, summer, and early fall is like watching a painting come to life. The smells of bee balm, the sounds of buzzing insects, and the ever-changing colors as different flowers bloom are mesmerizing. Seas of purple spiderwort, splashes of orange butterfly milkweed, and waves of yellow-black-eyed Susans and goldenrods create a vibrant tapestry that evolves with the seasons.

Growing up in Wisconsin, I’ve come to love prairies. While they might not be everyone’s favorite habitat, I think I could spend the rest of my life exploring them because there’s always something new to see. As a kid, my parents took me to as many parks as possible within an hour’s drive from our house. These adventures sparked my love for the outdoors. Still, it wasn’t until I started prairie pollinator research two years ago that I truly appreciated the unique beauty and importance of prairies.

Standing in a prairie, especially a restored one, feels peaceful and exciting. It represents hope for bringing back some of Wisconsin’s natural habitats. Before European colonization, prairies covered 2.1 million acres of the state, including much of southern Wisconsin. Walking along the Willow Trail to the prairie around Todd’s Pond offers a glimpse into what these landscapes used to look like and gives us hope for the future.

Prairies aren’t just beautiful; they’re also home to various pollinators. There’s been a lot of buzz around bumble bees lately, especially since the Wisconsin native rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) was listed as federally endangered in 2017. This has made many people interested in protecting pollinators.

This summer, we conducted bumble bee surveys to see what species are at Woodland Dunes. Through these surveys, I have learned bumblebees can be tricky to identify—they’re fast, land at weird angles, and some, like the red-belted bumblebee (Bombus rufocinctus), can have up to 20 different color patterns within the same species—I think it is still fun to go out and try to identify them. Tracking and identifying bumblebees has given me a deeper appreciation for these essential pollinators and their unique relationship with prairie flowers. And despite the challenges of identifying them and half my camera roll being blurry bumble bee pictures, I think it is fun and worth the battle of chasing them to document through the Wisconsin bumble bee brigade.

Ultimately, prairies are more than just beautiful places—they’re vital ecosystems supporting diverse life. Every element is crucial, from the colorful flowers blooming throughout the seasons to the hardworking bumble bees pollinating them. Exploring, studying, and sharing our experiences in these environments can help preserve these precious habitats for future generations to enjoy.

Photo taken in the front Bugler prairie by Natalie McNeely