2025 Annual Dinner
MPF hosted a celebration of prairies on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri at the Stoney Creek Hotel. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Jesse Nippert, University Distinguished Professor of Biology at Kansas State University. Doors opened at 5:00 p.m. for the silent auction, drinks, and social hour, followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m., and subsequent presentation of awards and Dr. Nippert’s presentation, “Managing for Healthy Tallgrass Prairies in an Era of Woody Plant Encroachment.”
Dr. Jesse Nippert has led the Long-Term Ecological Research program at Konza Prairie since 2017. He studies plant physiological responses to climate change in North American grasslands and Southern Africa Lowveld savannas with a particular emphasis on C4 grass physiology, vegetation responses to drought, and the dynamics of tree/grass resource competition. For the past 15 years, he has studied the drivers and consequences of shrub expansion into grassy ecosystems. You are invited to read more about Dr. Nippert’s work in this 2024 Missouri Prairie Journal article, “Shrub Encroachment Alters Water Cycling with Long-term Consequences for Tallgrass Prairie.”
Special thank you to our in-kind sponsors: Modern Litho and Bass Pro Shops®.
Thank you also to our silent auction donors: David Young, Doug Helmers, Mike Leahy, Barb & Bob Kipfer, Bonnie Teel, Jan & Bruce Sassmann, Steve & Ann Mowry, Tracy Lewandowski, Bruce Schuette, Jerod Huebner, Vernon Elsberry, Jane Haslag, Bruce & Diana Linders, Leaf&Sky, Backyard Bird Center, Carl & Anne Orazio, Northern Pecan Growers, Susan Appel, Henry Domke, Missouri Botanical Garden, National World War I Museum, Yvonne Homeyer, Steve Clubine, Walt Moser, Rose Magaw, Richard Herman, Cooper’s Landing, Bluestem Missouri Crafts, Frank Oberle, and Rick Thom!
Stay tuned for information about the 2026 Annual Dinner. If you have questions about this event, please email [email protected].
The Annual Dinner supports the mission of the 59-year-old Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) to protect and restore prairie and other native grassland communities through land acquisition, management, education, and research; to promote the use of native plants through its 25-year-old Grow Native! program; and to support the control of invasive plants through its administration of the Missouri Invasive Plant Council.