Welcome to the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, a living testament to the natural and cultural history of the Great Plains. Located in Osage County, Oklahoma, this preserve is the largest protected area of tallgrass prairie on Earth, spanning over 39,650 acres. Let’s journey through its rich past and vibrant present.
The roots of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve go back to 1989 when The Nature Conservancy purchased the Barnard Ranch, a move that marked the beginning of a dedicated effort to restore and protect this unique ecosystem. The preserve is a crucial remnant of what was once a vast sea of grass stretching from Texas to Manitoba, a habitat that has dwindled to less than 4% of its original size.
The history of the land is deeply intertwined with the Osage Nation, who were relocated here in the late 19th century. In an ironic twist of fate, the rocky terrain, which made the land undesirable for agriculture, preserved its natural state. This same land later revealed vast reserves of oil, making the Osage Nation incredibly wealthy in the early 20th century. However, this wealth brought a dark period known as the ‘Reign of Terror,’ when Osage members were murdered for their oil rights. This tragedy is a significant part of the area’s history, as explored in the book and film ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.’
Today, the preserve is not only a sanctuary for the tallgrass but also a refuge for a variety of wildlife, including over 2,500 bison. These majestic animals were reintroduced as part of the conservation efforts to maintain the prairie ecosystem as it once was. The preserve is also home to the rare prairie mole cricket and the endangered American burying beetle, showcasing the biodiversity that thrives here.
Visitors to the preserve can explore the 15-mile bison driving loop, take in the sweeping vistas of grasses that can grow up to 10 feet tall, and observe more than 300 bird species that call this prairie home. This is not just a visit to a natural landscape, but a walk through history, where the stories of the land and its people continue to unfold.
