One-third of the state was made up of prairie at one time, he said. But once European settlers discovered the richness of the soil, farm fields overtook the natural land. He lamented the fact that there are only 20 to 40 square miles of original prairie left in the state, much of it in preserves. And farming, industry and housing continue to bump up against what little prairie remains. Within sight of the buffalo rock in Clay County are gravel pits.
Developers build homes on the edges of prairies because the view is so enticing.