The summer season is just beginning and the tallgrass prairie is ablaze in color. Join a park naturalist June 9 at the Prairie State Park near Mindenmines for a walk among green grasses and colorful flowers to learn more about the amazing prairie ecosystem. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the park’s nature center and is free and open to the public.

Dress for the weather and hiking across the prairie; long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended as well as insect repellant. The hike will last about two hours and cover 1.6 miles.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, in Barton County. For more information or to register, contact Prairie State Park at 417-843-6711. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.