Allwine Prairie
Institutional Affiliation
University of Nebraska-Omaha
Mission
Allwine Prairie was established for the purposes of prairie preservation and research. Prairie preservation is important:
- For the maintenance of existing native gene pools,
- For comparison with grasslands maintained for other purposes such as cattle grazing or haying, and
- For the study and enjoyment of future generations. In addition, the Preserve provides a site for research on the tall-grass prairie ecosystem and a field laboratory for educational purposes.
Location
Allwine Prairie is located northwest of Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska.
Overview
The Preserve, originally a 160-acre farm northwest of Omaha, was donated to the University by Mr. Arthur Allwine in 1959. The 65-hectare area is now a reestablished grassland research area. In 1970, 53 ha were re-seeded with native tall grass prairie species; an additional 3 ha were seeded with mid-grass prairie species.
Three major plant communities are incorporated in the Preserve: (1) grasslands, which include nearly level upland and lowland sites separated by gentle, terraced slopes, (2) lowland woodlands or successional areas, which provide refuge for forest species, and (3) ponds and adjacent marshes. More than 250 species of woody and herbaceous plants have been identified at the Preserve. Slopes and hilltops of the tallgrass areas are dominated by big bluestem with little bluestem and sideoats grama common; lowland areas are predominantly big bluestem, reed canary grass and switchgrass. The midgrass area is primarily little bluestem with sideoats grama abundant. Woodlands are at various stages of ecological succession. Older stands are primarily box elder, cottonwood, and silver maple with an understory of dogwood and plum. Younger stands are dominated by willow with grasses and forbs dominating the understory vegetation.
Over 109 species of birds, 12 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 24 species of mammals have been observed in various locations throughout the Preserve. Breeding bird species include the bobwhite, mourning dove, meadowlark, dickcissel, and grasshopper sparrow. The prairie is also a haven to migrant species such as LeConte's and Harris' sparrows, marsh hawk, and blue-winged teal. Mammals of the prairie and woodland include the white-tailed deer, beaver, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, muskrat, prairie deer mouse, white-footed mouse prairie vole, coyote, and red fox. Corn snakes, painted turtles, and red-sided garter snakes are relatively common, as are tiger salamanders, Fowler's toads, and a variety of frogs.
To encourage native plant and animal reestablishment and interactions, management plans have been implemented that are designed to approximate the native prairie environment as closely as possible, although some areas are managed differently for research purposes.
A resident manager controls access to the Preserve. Several farm structures provide limited storage facilities for research equipment.
Research
In 1988, a solar test facility was established at the preserve. This facility is controlled by the University of Omaha's School of Engineering Technology. Plans are currently underway to expand this research and educational area through the Glacier Creek Prairie Project. Long-term monitoring has been initiated in order to provide information on changes in plant and animal populations that occur over time. Completed surveys or on-going studies include:
- Vegetative and faunal surveys of grassland and woodland habitats
- Effects of burning and mowing on plants and small mammal and bird populations
- Effects of terraces on grassland establishment
- Physiological and feeding behavior of certain bird species
- Soil evaluations
- Forb establishment
- Transplanting prairie sod
An outdoor aviary is located at the site and space is available for a limited number of field plots.
Education
Allwine Prairie Preserve is available for research projects, educational activities, and visitations to the extent that such use does not affect the long-term value of the Preserve as an ecological research site.
Contact
Allwine Prairie Preserve Committee
Department of Biology
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska 68182-0040
(402) 554-2641
Aerial photograph (to enlarge, click on the aerial photograph)
Land Use (GAP) Classification (to enlarge, click on the GAP image)
Climate Data
See historical climate data from the nearest weather station at Omaha, Nebraska.
