Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning

Check out the website for up-to-date information on current programs: http://naturalsciences.org/prairieridge/index.htm

Amongst the tall swaying grasses of a former cow pasture is the Museum of Natural Science’s Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning. Located on the southeastern corner of Reedy Creek Road and Edwards Mill Road, the ecostation provides North Carolina students and teachers with a very unique opportunity to study sustainable development and the natural world. The ecostation features the Outdoor Classroom, a “green building” built with the Richland Natural Area in mind. The small building, constructed with recycled materials, features a system to collect rainwater for use in its restrooms. Not only does the ecostation provide students and teachers with the opportunity to learn about our environment in a hands-on manner, but the ecostation is diligently working to restore the native prairie as well as the lowland forest in other areas.

Native Prairies-North Carolina once had more of these native prairies which were created by lightning fires, elk and bison, and Native Americans. After the Native American, elk, and bison populations declined, these prairies disappeared. Efforts are now being taken to restore these prairies for their ecological importance to certain animals.