A Proactive Prairie Passage Partner

buffalo in grassland with dark, cloudy sky

close-up of a field of light-purple, open flowers

By Joanne Orr, ODOT
(405) 521-4037

Oklahoma was active early in the creation of the Prairie Passage program, when the working title was "The North Star to Lone Star Wildflower Trail". In 1993, the Oklahoma DOT and Texas initiated correspondence with FHWA in Washington, D. C. which led to two $25,000 grants for each of the six participating states. This was an immense help as the six states met to explore possibilities, goals, and objectives. The grants funded planning surveys of existing native vegetation, nearby attractions, etc.

Oklahoma funded its Prairie Passage efforts in 1997. Each year since then they have planted native wildflowers along their designated route. Many sections of the route have huge vistas of existing wildflowers, notably the Indian paintbrush and tickseed that bloom in the Arbuckles and on I-35 south of Oklahoma City The Prairie Passage plantings have been intended to supplement existing natural wildflowers. A total of 95 sites have been planted during the last four years. Oklahoma DOT spent $96,531 on wildflower seed and planted 273 acres on the roadsides adjacent to the Prairie Passage route. All seed purchased were native wildflowers, such as tickseed, Indian paintbrush, prairie coneflower, plains coreopsis, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, showy primrose, and Indian blanket, among others.

Funding for Oklahoma's Prairie Passage program is from the Enhancement portion of the federal ISTEA appropriation. In 1997 $684,000 was approved for Oklahoma's program. The program includes outreach pieces like a wildflower identification brochure, signage, and community involvement.

In Oklahoma, the main route follows I35 for 235 miles from the Texas border to Kansas. A number of side loops are possible, particularly in the Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma. At Oklahoma City in the center of the state, an alternative route breaks away and heads northeast up the I-44 Turner Turnpike.

The path turns north at Bristow on SH 48 and enables travelers to pass by the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. This noted Nature Conservancy holding has more than 38,000 acres of open range. It is the home of 440 prairie plant species and of a growing herd of bison. It is being carefully managed to keep and restore the site to its prairie origins. The use of fire and buffalo are two of their management tools. Osage County and its neighboring five counties support over 2 million acres of native tallgrass prairie rangelands and pasturelands that are used for ranching, wildlife and recreation.The Prairie Passage route winds thru this part of the state and finally connects with Kansas on US 75. From there it is a direct path to the Flint Hills of Kansas.

Important cultural sites include: Guthrie, a National Historic Landmark with 2,169 buildings, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and the Woolaroc Museum. Many communities along the way have seasonal festivals, and assorted tribal powwows.