Harnessing Prairie Survey and Restoration Through Applied Learning: Insights From Research Done in Missouri Western State University’s John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie

Prairie ecosystems, once expansive across North America, have faced significant degradation and fragmentation due to expanding agricultural development (World Wildlife Fund, 2023). Efforts to survey and restore prairies offer a unique opportunity for applied learning in environmental education. This paper explores the potential of prairie survey and restoration projects to enhance students' applied learning experiences and develop practical skills in ecological research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives from ecology, education, and community engagement, and utilizing flora survey of the John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie at Missouri Western State University as a model for applied learning, this paper examines the educational benefits of prairie survey and restoration and provides recommendations for integrating these activities into formal and informal educational settings. By engaging students in hands-on activities, we aim to enhance understanding, foster environmental stewardship, and contribute to effective prairie restoration.