2004: A total of 30 native plants were identified, 21 in the sample plots and nine more species were observed outside of the plots.* The mean number of native plant species was fairly consistent across prairie types, ranging from 5.6 to 7 species per meter square Table 1. The mean percent native plant cover in the two dry prairie types was approximately 23-26%. The two wetter prairie types (mesic and mesic-wet) had lower percent cover ratings ranging from approximately 8 to 10 percent. Several factors may have contributed to lower cover ratings in these sites. First, due to very heavy rains these areas remained wet (even submerged) after planting and were slow to germinate. Secondly, the seed mix in these sites lacked evening primrose which contributed an average of 11.8% cover in dry and dry-mesic plots. Finally, the mesic-wet plots lacked Canada wildrye and little bluestem in their seed mixes which were common in other plots. Late in September switchgrass came on strong in the mesic-wet plots producing significant ground cover. The mean percent cover of all species ranged from 29-68% across prairie types indicating significant amounts of bare soil remaining in all plots. That this much bare soil remained is an indication that annual weeds were fairly well controlled in all plots.

*Black eyed susan, evening primrose, daisy fleabane, Juncus spp. showy tick trefoil, wold bergamot, pokeweed, indian tobacco, pennsylvania smartweed, Canada goldenrod, lanceleaf coreopsis, gray coneflower, cottonwood, false sunflower, swamp milkweed, blue vervain, tall coreopsis, Canada wildrye grass, indian grass, little bluestem and switchgrass. Tall sunflower, culvers root, New Jersey tea, wild lupine, dense blazing star, New England aster, blue vervain, stiff goldenrod, and prairie dock were observed outside of plots..