Phenology: Seasonal Changes - Interdependence in the Prairie

We Are Kin: Interdependence in the Prairie

After a prescribed fire, something magical happens in the prairie: what once seemed dormant suddenly bursts with life, resilience, and interdependence. Native grasses like turkey foot (also known as big bluestem) rise again—tall, flexible, and foundational. Their roots run deep, anchoring soil, holding moisture, and feeding unseen networks underground.

Among these grasses moves the elusive gray fox—a more-than-human neighbor with a unique gift: they can climb trees! This agile omnivore thrives in edge habitats and benefits from the healthy, dynamic ecosystems that fire helps maintain.

Each fall, as grasses sway and foxes travel quietly through the landscape, we’re reminded that our ecosystems thrive not through isolation but through collaboration. Plants, animals, fungi, microbes—even humans—all play a role in sustaining balance and beauty.

Mark your calendar for September 17: National Fox Day, a perfect time to honor our wild companions and reflect on what we can learn from them about adaptability, coexistence, and kinship.

The prairie isn’t just a place—it’s a living system, and a teacher. We continue working collectively to protect and participate in their story.