The Black Belt Conservation and Research Institute and the Center for the Study of the Black Belt invite you to walk among the wildflowers at the UWA Prairie Restoration Area during the peak of the spring wildflower bloom this Saturday, June 11. A guided walk begins at the footbridge behind Tartt Baseball Field on the UWA campus at 8:00 a.m. The tour will last approximately 2 hours. In addition to seeing purple prairie clover, pinnate prairie coneflowers, standing cypress, scaly blazing star and compass plants, you will also get a chance to learn about the unique geologic setting that provides a foundation for Black Land Prairies as well as the periodic fires that are essential for rejuvenating the flora they support. If you are interested in bird watching, be sure to bring your binoculars for a chance to see fledgling blue-birds, grasshopper sparrows and Northern harriers. There is no admission fee and bottled water will be provided to participants. Please wear a hat and sunscreen, and above all, don’t forget your camera! The Black Belt Prairie Conservation and Research Institute (BBCRI) was established in 2007 as a unit of the Center for the Study of the Black Belt at The University of West Alabama to raise public awareness of the disappearing Black Belt Prairie. BBCRI is working with The Nature Conservancy of Alabama and other partners to determine the ecological and environmental research needs of the region. Additionally, the BBCRI is charged with the task of identifying habitats and species unique to the Black Belt and working with state agencies to determine the best ecological and environmental practices for the management and restoration of the unique habitats within the Black Belt. For more information, please contact the Center for the Study of the Black Belt at centerforblackbelt@uwa.edu or (205) 652-3828.