Native Prairie Restoration
NRTG’s MicroCourses offer a dynamic training pathway that’s as flexible as it is enriching to build expertise. Our Native Prairie Restoration MicroCourse, spanning four hours, delivers practical, foundational training in a concise and engaging format designed for immediate application in the field.
Native prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, and successfully restoring it requires thoughtful planning, the right tools, and a strong understanding of ecological processes. In this course, participants will learn the core principles and practical techniques needed to establish and manage successful prairie restoration projects.
We’ll explore how to design effective native seed mixes, select and operate seeding equipment, and implement strategies for invasive vegetation management to support healthy native plant establishment. The course also covers post-seeding monitoring and site management, helping practitioners evaluate progress and make informed adjustments to improve restoration outcomes.
Whether you’re involved in land management, ecological restoration, environmental consulting, or stewardship projects, this MicroCourse provides the essential knowledge and practical guidance needed to start prairie restoration projects on the right foot and give them the best possible chance of long-term success.
Course length: 4 hours
Instructor Profile
Michael Skinner
Native Seed Farmer and Restoration Practitioner
Michael Skinner is prairie restoration expert and native seed farmer from Western Manitoba. He grew up on his family’s native grass farm, left to pursue a career in resource conservation in Grasslands National Park, then returned home to help run the farm and work on high-diversity field-scale native prairie restoration projects. Michael has experience in all facets of prairie restoration including wild harvesting native seed, designing seed mixes, seeding using a variety of equipment, and all steps in between and can’t wait to share his knowledge with anyone willing to listen.