Prairiewood Connect Foundation: Roots, Vision, Future
Twenty-five years ago — led by their belief that experiencing the wonder of the natural world is vital — the proprietors of Prairiewood, Rebecca and Kail Katzenmeier, have been strategically acquiring, preserving, managing, and sharing undeveloped land along the Wildcat Creek Valley just west of Manhattan, Kansas. Today, their efforts stand as a beacon for private land conservation and have resulted in the ownership of 600 contiguous acres of what is the most depleted native ecosystem in North America: the tallgrass prairie. In accordance with the original vision of the Katzenmeiers — that this land not just be protected from development but be held in a more durable structure that ensures the viability of its preservation for generations to come — the Prairiewood Connect Foundation (PCF) was born.
Our Mission
To preserve and protect the native tallgrass prairie ecology of the Wildcat Creek Valley just west of Manhattan, Kansas, and to provide critical connection to it through education, recreation, and husbandry opportunities.
Land Preservation & Stewardship
With resources raised through charitable contributions, the 600 acres of currently preserved native tallgrass prairie — the Preserve — is being acquired incrementally by PCF, protected in perpetuity, and managed with practices that optimize its ecological health.
Educational Courses & Programs
Offering a variety of dynamic programming and educational content for all ages, PCF cultivates first-hand opportunities for increased knowledge and appreciation of the tallgrass prairie.
Recreational Events & Activities
Through fun, engaging, and accessible events set amongst and inspired by the tallgrass prairie, PCF intends to bridge the gap — from merely knowing about to emotionally connecting with — this majestic but too often overlooked ecosystem.
Husbandry & Volunteerism
By providing opportunities for engagement in land stewardship, PCF will benefit from the additional resources available through organized volunteerism, while reciprocally providing those volunteers the invaluable and enriching satisfaction that comes from land husbandry.
“Without love of the land, conservation lacks meaning and purpose, for only in a deep and inherent feeling for the land can there be dedication in preserving it.”
— Sigurd F. Olson
A Preservation Partnership: A Model of Reciprocity
With Prairiewood’s robust business operations highly aligned with PCF’s values and mission, a preservation partnership has been forged. This innovative collaboration provides the necessary framework for the Preserve’s native ecology to be effectively managed while alleviating PCF from otherwise having to provide for its own land-care resources. In an exemplary model of reciprocity, Prairiewood’s many guests gain access to hundreds of acres of inspiring tallgrass prairie which, in turn, allows PCF to fulfill a critical aspect of its mission: providing visitors first-hand experiences in this landscape that build indelible and lasting connections with it.
Preserve
Allen Prairie
Step One: An Opportunity Knocks
The first acquisition in our preservation partnership with Prairiewood centers around a very special parcel of land known as Allen Prairie. This 80-acre parcel is contiguous to the eastern edge of the current Preserve and is in the direct line of Manhattan’s west-side housing development expansion — with a dead-end road currently ending right at its fence line. To prevent this road and neighborhood from continuing its westward march — while protecting this invaluable buffer on the Preserve’s eastern edge — this parcel is the first land parcel to become fully owned and preserved as native prairie by PCF. Although the parcel’s acquisition was made possible by a number of generous donations, we must act fast to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the funding of its purchase. If you would like to help us with our Save Allen Prairie Campaign, your contribution, large or small, will directly help us fully secure Allen Prairie.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Ryan Kegley
Board Chair
Brand Steward, Brushpoint
Sue Maes
Former Dean of Continuing Education
Kansas State University
Chung Park, DMA
Conductor
St. Olaf Orchestra
Lisa Senuta, MDiv
Canon for Spiritual Life and Clergy Care
Episcopal Diocese of Kansas
Advisory Committee
Kent Glasscock
Former Speaker of the House
Kansas House of Representatives
Kelli Pyle
Events Specialist
Union Hall
Bruce Snead
Former Mayor and City Commissioner
City of Manhattan, Kansas