Nine miles northwest of downtown Lincoln is a 235-acre prairie that has connected the community to nature for more than 100 years.

Appropriately named Nine-Mile Prairie, it is a relic of the landscape that once dominated this part of the world. It’s a place the public can visit to walk, learn or just relax. It’s a living laboratory, where University of Nebraska–Lincoln students and faculty have studied grassland ecology, soil science, grassland management and more for more than a century.

It’s also the subject of a new film, which will premiere during a special event at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Hardin Hall auditorium, 3310 Holdrege St. The film, “Nine-Mile Prairie: Hope in the Tallgrass,” touches on the history, ecology and future of the land, as well as ways it has been used by the university and public over the years. A second film, “Salt Valley Greenways: Nature’s Network,” highlighting the public greenspaces that surround Lincoln, will also be shown during the event. Both films are free and open to the public.

Some of our supporters for Nine-Mile Prairie will be at our event, including Ernie Rousek, who is approaching 100 years old. Ernie took care of Nine-Mile Prairie for almost a decade for Wachiska Audubon before UNL acquired it in the early 1980’s. His name is deservedly on the state historic marker.