Ohio EPA awards grant for Huffman Prairie

  • Published
  • By Gene Barnett
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio. --  The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Five Rivers MetroParks were recently awarded a grant by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for $11,717 to make the Huffman Prairie State Natural Landmark more visitor-friendly through interpretive signs, plant identification markers and informative brochures.

The 109-acre natural prairie, located northeast of the original Wright brothers flying field in Area A at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is managed by the 88th Air Base Wing Civil Engineering Group in collaboration with Five Rivers MetroParks and the Dayton Aviation National Heritage Historical Park.

The historic prairie is where Orville Wright and his sister, Katherine, sketched drawings of plants for a school botany class as children. Years later, Orville and his brother, Wilbur, returned to the prairie to test their flying machine.  

Dave Nolin, director of Conservation with Five Rivers MetroParks, said the signage and brochures will promote awareness of the site.  

The features will also identify plants and explain the natural history, ecology and human history of the site as well as describe the native plant and wildlife populations.

The project includes prairie walks, bird watching events and botanical programs that will reach more than 5,000 people