Tallgrass Prairie Center

The University of Northern Iowa’s Tallgrass Prairie Center was established in 1999 with roots going back to the early 1970s. Our mission is to increase the capacity of partners and stakeholders to establish and protect native perennial vegetation in the tallgrass prairie region. Our flagship program, Iowa Roadside Management, supports county roadside vegetation managers, who together oversee more than 300,000 acres of public land. The Plant Materials Program cultivates genetically diverse, Iowa-source native seed, supplying seeds of dozens of prairie species to commercial seed producers. We pursue scientific questions of immediate relevance to both farmers and conservation policymakers, helping to make prairie practical on farms. And we invite the general public to appreciate the beauty of Iowa’s tallgrass prairie at Irvine Prairie where we are restoring 292 acres of Benton County farmland. Our Prairie Roots banners and preserved root systems help educators to explore nature’s benefits to society. The Center is funded by the UNI College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences; state and federal grants, private foundations, and charitable donations. Visitors are welcome to come and walk the trails around the TPC at any time. Our work frequently takes our small staff away from the office. However, drop-in visitors are welcome, and we enjoy learning about your prairie projects. For long-distance visitors we recommend contacting us in advance so we can better serve you.