Nature

"In restoring the prairie grasslands the ultimate aim is to approach as near the original as possible. How near the original we can come is not known. But it would seem desirable to make an effort early in the program to restore some of the more prominent spring, summer and fall flowers to show a part of Nature which no doubt gave some cheer to the first settlers."

--Adolph Murie, 1940

 
Trail through the tallgrass prairie at Homestead.
Sunset on a trail at Homestead
The natural areas at Homestead National Historical Park offer a window to the past, a place for exploration and reflection, and a valuable arena for scientific research. Escape into nature and hike, picnic, birdwatch, and more. The rare presence of tallgrass prairie, woodland, and creek ecosystems presents an opportunity to learn about a diverse range of habitats and species.
 

The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network takes inventory of the species and natural features in its parks including Homestead, and then monitors them over time to see how they're doing. Learn more about their monitoring projects at Homestead.

Explore Citizen Science at Homestead National Historical Park.

 
Learn about the diversity of plants found in the tallgrass prairie and mesic bur oak forest
Plants

Learn about the diversity of plants found in the tallgrass prairie and mesic bur oak forest

Bird sitting on a branch
Animals

Learn about the animals at the park.

Ranger setting up soundscape equipment
Research

Learn about the natural resources research being conducted at the park.

Prairie and woodland ecosystems
Ecosystems

Homestead National Historical Park protects natural environments that have become rare today: tallgrass prairie and bur oak woodland.

An NPS fireman working next to a prescribed burn
Environmental Factors

Natural and man-made factors have strong effects on the environment. The park monitors for nonnative species and water quality.

 

Nature at Homestead

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    Last updated: October 1, 2024

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    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    8523 West State Highway 4
    Beatrice, NE 68310

    Phone:

    402 223-3514

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