We wanted people to come to accept and perhaps love prairie, as we have come to. As we implemented the garden these past four years, we integrated features to encourage acceptance. Some examples are noted in the following narrative.

The sign out front proudly says the prairie is a planned part of our university campus. The dedication pedestal with bronze plaque is upscale, explains intention, and features a mailbox with brochures. Brick edging from Old Science Hall connects the garden with the rich history and future of this place.

In the early years, the garden will bear a somewhat manicured look to blend with annual beds nearby and to fit more closely with dominant tastes of the public. The garden features more flowers than grasses as folks seem more accepting of and enchanted by flowers.

We use Soaring Eagle Prairie as teacher at every turn. In our city, people keep lawns and gardens trimmed quite closely through the seasons. These are not common features in nature and are often detrimental to plant health and survival. For Soaring Eagle Prairie, we try to follow nature's cycles as closely as possible and reasonable. Spent flowers become seeds, food for creatures, and seedlings. We do not trim plant debris in the fall in preparation for winter. Those prairie plants stand tall in winter winds offering protection for plants, food for creatures, protection for soil, and contour in an otherwise flat land.