ABOVE: Jesse Walters of Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) describes the prairie growth the during the Evening on the Prairie presentation on Thursday at Cedar Creek Park in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT — The choices to improve your property can improve the greater, surrounding environment. The City of Fairmont and Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) hosted the first summer Evening on the Prairie Walking Series, which took place at on Thursday evening at Cedar Creek Park in Fairmont.

The event invited locals to immerse themselves in the summer nature, simultaneously learning about the mature native prairie, its management, what plants and animals thrive in it and how it enhances Fairmont’s ecosystem.

“Myself being a scientist and trained biologist, the more you know, the more you realize you didn’t know,” said city of Fairmont Water Resource Specialist Hannah Neusch.

Native prairies consist of numerous native plants that have evolved within one location. Native plants offer a generous amount of benefits, including the elimination of erosion, preservation of habitats, anchored and longer roots, a habitat for wildlife and insects and an overall improved, healthier environment. With the lack of a native prairie, environmental predicaments arise, such as threats to soil and water quality and lack of homes for insects and wildlife.

“Many plants in the prairie had human connections, and we just lost them,” said SWCD Outreach Coordinator Jesse Walters.

After attending an annual three-day event at the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Academy, Neusch learned a similar event in a different location saw notable success, driving her to bring it to Fairmont. She and Walters aim to spark inspiration in the community to take action to keep plants on individual properties and the Fairmont lakes clean and the soil healthy. Neusch added that bringing guests on the walk allows the presentation to become more engaging and immersive, letting them physically examine the beneficial native prairies on local soil as Walters provides them with information.

“It’s a casual event where people can show and learn from technical experts, and they can be advised on what species work best. We certainly don’t want it to feel like a lecture, and wandering and talking about species and how they interact, and how they’re beneficial, and have an open-ended conversation with people,” Neusch explained. “I want to encourage locals to do native plantings. It’s an excellent way to erase erosion and keep things on your property, that’s your land, and it keeps it out of the lake, and it makes our lake healthier.”

According to Walters, native seedings and plantings can be prepared for by preparing the site with herbicide, smother, tillage or removing existing vegetation. Next, planting live plants (ideal for smaller areas) should be completed in May or September, and should be watered in the first year each week when there is no more than an inch of rainfall. Seeding native plants should be completed after Nov. 1, after the first snow, or in May.

During the first year, occasionally spot-mowing on the highest setting possible can reduce competition and allow the sunlight to reach the plants and seeds. Walters advises not to mow after July 4. Long-term maintenance includes prescribed burn, mowing and grazing. Long-term maintenance is necessary after the fifth growing year and on a five to 10-year rotation. Prescribed burning is recommended before May 15, and one-third of the prairie should only be burned to protect insects. Grazing can be done briefly to remove biomass but not threaten vegetation. Mowing should be completed before May 15. Spot maintenance is mandatory to eliminate non-native intruders, which should be complete before May 15 or after Aug. 1. Herbicide, mowing, grazing and prescribed burn are effective to control intruders. Seed mixes and plants may be purchased from Shooting Star Native Seeds, Prairie Moon Nursery, Minnesota Native Landscapes, Prairie Restorations Inc. and the Pheasants Forever Seed Store. The native plants can be managed and mixed for certain heights.

“As a local government, we’re pivoting into protecting and improving the ecosystem, and protecting our water. We want to make sure it’s the best water we can have. Everything that we can do, everyone can play a part in that. There are a lot of environmentally-oriented people here, but in the past, the interest has been lacking. Just get started and find a place to plug in,” said Neusch.

The Evening on the Prairie Walking Series will resume in the fall and spring, allowing guests to observe the seasonal changes native plants undergo. Guests are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes and a lawn chair if desired.