Sacred Stewardship: Restoring the Prairie in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Wisdom Monastery outside Madison have quietly become some of the state’s most dedicated stewards of prairie restoration. On lands once underutilized, they are bringing back native grasses and wildflowers, restoring ecological richness and offering us a powerful example of what healing looks like—both for land and people.

Over the past two decades, the sisters and volunteers have restored more than 130 acres of prairie, oak savanna, and wetlands, with plans to expand these efforts even further. The sisters see their work as part of a Benedictine tradition of caring for creation, turning spiritual values into hands-on conservation. This effort, chronicled recently in The New York Times, shows how spiritual calling, community commitment, and ecological science intersect to bring landscapes back to life.

A Holistic Approach to Stewardship

The prairie restoration is the most visible part of the sisters' comprehensive commitment to environmental stewardship. Their mission weaves prayer, hospitality, justice, and care for the earth into a shared way of life. This dedication is physically embodied in their monastery building, which in 2010 received the highest LEED Platinum rating, making it one of the 'greenest' buildings in the United States. Furthering this commitment, at the end of 2024, Holy Wisdom Monastery became a net-zero energy campus, producing 100% of its energy needs onsite through renewable resources, including a new 300-kilowatt solar array and a geothermal well system.

Why the Prairie?

Tallgrass prairies are among North America’s most endangered ecosystems. Before European settlement, these prairies dominated large swathes of the Midwest. They have deep roots, support a huge diversity of plants, insects, birds, and small mammals, and help with soil health, water filtration, carbon storage, and pollination. As more land was converted to agriculture and development, prairies shrank to small patches. Restoring them is a multifaceted act: ecological, cultural, and moral.

What the Wisconsin Nuns Have Accomplished

Over the past two decades, the sisters have transformed their land from worn farmland and invasive thickets into a thriving prairie ecosystem. Their work has unfolded step by step, blending ecological science with spiritual dedication.

Timeline of Restoration

• Early 2000s: Initial vision took shape as the sisters began conversations about caring for the land as part of their spiritual mission.
• 2005–2010: The critical first phase involved the arduous removal of invasive species such as buckthorn and non-native grasses. Small test plots of native plants were established to see what would thrive.
• 2011–2015: Efforts scaled up with the expansion of native seed collection and planting, often accomplished with the help of dedicated volunteer groups and local conservation partners.
• 2016–2020: To mimic natural ecosystem processes, prescribed burns and strategic mowing cycles were introduced, restoring the natural disturbance patterns that are essential for long-term prairie health.
• 2021–Present: Hundreds of species of grasses and wildflowers now thrive. Birds, pollinators, and small mammals have returned in noticeable numbers, turning the land into a living classroom for ecology and spirituality.

Today, the restored prairie is not only a haven for wildlife but also a place of reflection, education, and community gathering. The sisters’ perseverance shows that restoration is a long-term act of devotion—one that yields beauty and resilience over time.

The Challenges of Restoration

The journey to a restored prairie was not without its challenges. Ecologically, any restoration project faces hurdles like controlling persistent invasive species, adapting to unpredictable weather, and the slow, patient work of rebuilding healthy soil. It is a process that takes years of consistent effort and learning.

Beyond the ecological obstacles, the monastery also faced significant financial challenges. Such a large-scale environmental and community mission requires substantial and stable funding. Reports have noted that operational cash flow is not always sufficient to cover all expenses and debt service, making the project reliant on the steadfast support of a wider community to bring its ambitious vision to life.

Funding the Vision: A Community Effort

The restoration and the monastery's broader environmental initiatives are sustained through a diverse funding model rooted in community support. The Benedictine Life Foundation of Wisconsin, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity, accepts donations that are 100% tax-deductible. Support comes in many forms:

• Direct online donations and mailed checks.
• Gifts of appreciated stock and planned estate gifts.
• The Friends of Wisdom Prairie, a membership-based group that directly supports environmental efforts through annual ($45) and lifetime ($1,200) memberships.
• Specific grants and incentives, such as those from the Inflation Reduction Act, which were crucial in making the recent net-zero energy project financially feasible.

Why It Matters Now

• Climate resilience: Prairies store carbon deep underground in their root systems and help buffer against extreme weather like droughts and floods.
• Biodiversity: Pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and countless insect species depend on intact prairie lands for their survival.
• Soil & Water Health: The deep roots of native prairies prevent soil erosion and act as a natural filter for groundwater.
• Community & Well-being: The act of restoration builds connections between people and the land, fostering hope and renewal.

How to Get Involved in Local Conservation

Getting your hands dirty is one of the most rewarding ways to support ecological restoration. Whether you have a few hours a month or want to make a regular commitment, there are groups in nearly every community looking for help.

National Programs

Look for opportunities with national organizations that have local chapters and projects. Groups like the National Wildlife Refuge System or the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (for those in the Midwest) often host large-scale volunteer events.

Join Local Groups

Your biggest impact can often be right in your own community.

• The Nature Conservancy: This global organization manages preserves in every state, many of which rely on volunteers for trail maintenance and habitat restoration.
• State Departments of Natural Resources (DNR): Your state's DNR or conservation department is the best resource for official state park and wildlife area volunteer days.
• Native Plant Societies: These groups are fantastic for learning about local ecology. They often host seed collection events and invasive species removal days.

Find Local Events

Use search terms like “prairie restoration workday,” “native seed collection,” or “invasive species removal” along with your city or county name. Following local park districts and conservation groups on social media is also a great way to stay informed about upcoming events.

Starting Your Own Refuge

1. Assess Your Site: Understand your soil, sunlight, existing vegetation, and land history.
2. Set Goals: Decide what you want to achieve: biodiversity, soil health, education, or water protection.
3. Plan the Planting Mix: Use locally-sourced native seeds with a variety of grasses and wildflowers suited to your area.
4. Prepare the Ground: This is a critical step. Remove invasive species and create a clean seedbed.
5. Planting: Broadcast seed, use a seed drill, or plant plugs depending on your resources and scale.
6. Management: Monitor growth, control weeds, and use mowing or prescribed burns (where safe and permitted) to manage the land. Adapt your plan as needed.
7. Partnerships: Work with local conservation agencies, seek grants, and engage volunteers or schools to help.

Places & Resources

• Nature Conservancy: Prairie Restoration Guides
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Prairie Pothole Region
• Franciscan Sisters (FSPA) and Sisters of St. Agnes: Models of faith-based stewardship

What You Can Do Today

- Buy native seeds from local nurseries.
- Join a volunteer restoration day.
- Convert part of your yard into native habitat.
- Advocate for prairie and meadow restoration in your community.

A Global Call to Restore

Prairie restoration is more than planting grasses and flowers—it’s about reviving ecosystems, enriching biodiversity, healing land, and reconnecting communities with nature. The nuns in Wisconsin remind us that restoration can be both spiritual and scientific. Whether in your backyard or on a large landscape, every action counts.