Michael Stubbs, president of Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards, shares the inspiring 20-year journey of preserving a historically and ecologically significant 165-acre park. From rescuing the land from potential development to creating accessible trails where visitors can experience wagon ruts from the 1840s and diverse prairie ecosystems, this volunteer-led effort showcases grassroots conservation at its finest.

• Original 30-acre site commemorated the Beecher Bible and Rifle Colony and contained historic trail ruts, Underground Railroad connections, and Native American sacred sites
• Prairie Guards formed in 2005 when the state planned to return the undeveloped parkland to private ownership
• Volunteers purchased adjacent properties, eventually expanding to 165 acres when development threatened in 2019
• New improvements include an access road, ADA-compliant trails, water, power, and a specially designed parking area for all visitors
• The site serves as an educational resource for schools, libraries, and athletes while preserving one of Kansas' most diverse tallgrass prairie remnants
• Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards operates entirely with volunteers and no paid staff
• The name "Prairie Guards" connects to the original militia formed by Connecticut abolitionists who settled the area in 1856
• The original Mitchell farmstead, once an Underground Railroad station, will be open for tours during the 20th anniversary celebration

For more information about visiting Mount Mitchell Prairie, located at the junction of K-18 and Highway 99 (approximately 15 miles from Manhattan or 3 miles south of the Wamego bridge), join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday.

GMCF

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