​Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park protects the largest remaining tract of the unique Florida dry prairie ecosystem, one of the biologically richest grasslands in the world. Its 54,000 acres contain a mosaic of dry prairie, wet prairie, marshes, sloughs, cabbage palm and oak hammocks, flood plain—no less than 14 distinct natural communities —which support a vast and diverse array of flora and fauna, including a number of endangered or threatened species. It is one of the last places to find the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, "perhaps the most endangered bird in the continental United States." This is the land made famous by author Patrick Smith in A Land Remembered.

Save the Date!

2023 Spring Butterfly Walks-- March 25th
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Butterfly expert Linda Cooper will be leading our annual Spring Butterfly Walks at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, March 25th, 2022. You can expect to see and learn about Kissimmee Prairie butterflies, including information about host plants and caterpillars. Linda and her late husband, Buck, began surveying butterflies at Kissimmee Prairie before its purchase by the state. Their efforts produced the Preserve's incredible checklist, and put KPPSP on the map for butterflies. Linda continues to survey, compile official counts for the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), and monitor butterfly populations on large public lands in Florida. She is also an effective advocate for their protection.
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Members of the Friends of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, will receive early notice of the opening of registration for this popular event which will be limited in size. Thanks you for your support of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve. We appreciate you and hope to see you out there in 2023!

Kissimmee Prairie Staff win statewide awards!

Preserve manager, Alex Creager and Environmental Specialist, Catie Welch won awards for their excellence at the 2022 Florida State Parks Statewide Awards Ceremony. Alex won as the Employee of the Year, and Catie was given the prestigious Hank Smith Award fo Excellence in Research for her work with imperiled species like the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. Congratulations, Alex and Catie! 
Friends of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, Inc. was formed in 2011 to work for the preservation, protection, interpretation and promotion of and in the best interest of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve. The Friends is a Florida not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and relies on membership fees and private donations to pursue activities on behalf of the Preserve.