This outdoor museum preserves a precious and rare ecosystem. The variety of flora and fauna in such a relatively small space is fascinating. We loved the self-guided tour, including the bison stone and hollow; the butterflies and dragonflies and especially the beautiful male indigo bunting in the aspen trees. There is a well-designed, welcoming interpretation centre with interesting displays and helpful staff. It is a shame that the prairie is surrounded by a growing urban landscape. Prairie is about vistas too.

Long ago, several decades or so, a dedicated team of volunteers with the guidance of a committed prairie-ecology botanist -- Dr. Jennifer Shay -- a small tract of relict tall-grass prairie was saved at the edge of the Winnipeg airport. And it grew into a place for relative (urban) silence and solace, for buying seeds of native grasses and herbs, and for communicating with like-minded prairie preservationists. It's worthy seeing. It's worth meeting the people shopping beside you in the little aisles...and it's worth following its lead, buying some seed, and planting some glorious prairie perennials on the southern border of your own home!