The Sustaining Prairies Fund, established by the Grassland Heritage Foundation (GHF), provides funding to teachers and community leaders to support the maintenance and improvement of existing prairie gardens for educational purposes. This initiative aims to invest in and sustain prairie habitats while offering learning opportunities related to prairie ecosystems.
The fund supports activities like prairie management, which may involve removing invasive weeds or unwanted plants. It can also help create educational programs, such as prairie internships, where students participate in garden upkeep and learn about prairie ecosystems. Funds can also be used to hire conservation professionals or pay for prairie burns, which are vital for prairie health.
In addition to management, the fund also encourages creative ways to increase the use of prairie sites by young people. For example, teachers might purchase jumpsuits and boots to make it easier for students to spend time in the prairie or develop curriculum, signage, or organize events like a “prairie day open house.” Other ideas could include acquiring educational tools like magnifiers or reference books.
The Grassland Heritage Foundation offers grants ranging from $500 to $1,000, focusing on projects in northeastern Kansas. Eligible sites should be predominantly planted with native prairie plants and can vary in size from small pollinator gardens to larger prairie restorations. The application deadline is July 15, 2025.
For more information, visit GHF.
