Building a Better Omaha: Pocket Prairies in bloom

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Over a year ago, they had no idea it would work.

“We just went through an incredible heat wave,” said Trevor Pellerite, president of Grasslands Unlimited.

The nonprofit’s goal was to restore prairie ecosystems to Nebraska, transforming unused, small areas of land, turning turf grass to what they call “pocket prairies.”

“Things like this are going to go a long way towards making Omaha more sustainable,” said Pellerite.

For months, under the surface of the median off 114th and Davenport Streets, the potential for something much richer was taking root. And now, with permission from the city, it’s finally in bloom.

“Things have just really flourished,” said Pellerite. “We have not watered this site at all this year and things really grew in really strong. We’ve gotten a lot of flowers. We’ve seen bees and butterflies and birds out here.”

Pellerite walked with 6 News along their first pocket prairie, pointing out native species like golden alexander.

“This is the host plant for the swallow tail butterfly. We’ve actually found caterpillars in this exact median.”

The pocket prairies need far less maintenance than turf grass, and the planted wildlife should only grow 12-14 inches.

“It’s been incredible to see this project work as we had envisioned it,” said Pellerite.

Grasslands Unlimited has successfully brought back a pocket of the past among a landscape of pavement and cement, and they hope to continue to doing it.

So far, there are seven pocket prairies across Omaha. Pellerite said they’re working with city officials to establish more.

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