70 Nebraskaland • January-February 2024
hen Sue Kirkpatrick bought
her acreage in 2013, which is 3
miles east of Lincoln, she didn't
intend to become a native prairie
hobbyist. After 30 years of living in
neighborhoods with city ordinances,
neighborhood covenants and
manicured lawns, Kirkpatrick simply
desired the freedom to do what she
wanted in a more relaxed environment.
But things changed after she signed
up for the Nebraska Master Naturalist
Program in 2014. The program off ers
adults in-depth training on the
natural world, as well as volunteer
opportunities.
Kirkpatrick completed her training,
which included both classroom time
and hands-on outdoors learning, over
the course of a week at the Niobrara
Valley Preserve near Valentine.
"It was like adult summer camp. It
was so fun, tromping around in the
woods and water and prairie, and
viewing bison, kayaking the Niobrara
and sitting by campfi res at night," she
said.
Kirkpatrick also learned from
natural resource professionals about
biodiversity, prairie restoration, and
what plants belonged in her corner of
Nebraska.
"As I learned about Nebraska
ecosystems, it became clear that I
wanted to do my part to conserve the
plants and animals that belong on my
5 acres," she said.
During her training and the
volunteer opportunities that followed,
Kirkpatrick also met many people
who would help her on her journey:
conservationists, nature educators,
biologists, nature nerds, land managers
and more.
A Backyard
Prairie
Story and photos by Renae Blum
An Acreage Transformed
An aerial view of Kirkpatrick's acreage east of Lincoln. NICK SAUVAGEAU, NGPC VIDEOGRAPHER
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