Universities, field stations, and research programs studying prairie ecology and restoration across the Temperate Prairies region, including long-term research sites and university-affiliated prairie centers.
Research Institutions & Field Stations
Federal Research Programs
Grazinglands Research Lab (OK) - USDA research unit studying forage, grazing systems, and rangeland sustainability across Oklahoma and the Central Plains.
Konza Prairie Biological Station (KS) - Field station studying tallgrass prairie fire, grazing, and climate dynamics as a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site.
Illinois Natural History Survey (IL) - State scientific survey within the University of Illinois' Prairie Research Institute, researching Illinois plant and animal diversity statewide.
Tallgrass Prairie Center (IA) - University of Northern Iowa center dedicated to prairie restoration research, seed science, and training.
Center for Grassland Studies (NE) - UNL research and education center studying grasslands as a resource for livestock production, wildlife habitat, and turf.
Noble Research Institute (OK) - Independent nonprofit managing 13,500 acres of working ranchland as a living lab for regenerative grassland and grazing research.
Specialists
Sam Lord (MO) - Soil ecologist at MU's Center for Agroforestry studying microbial communities and prairie/agricultural soil health.
