When most people think of Louisiana, they imagine swamps, bayous, and shady cypress groves. But there’s another ecosystem, almost forgotten, that once stretched across the southwestern part of the state: the Cajun Prairie.
Long before roads and rice fields, this area was a sea of tall grasses and wildflowers. A single square meter of prairie could host up to 60 different plant species. Butterflies fluttered, birds called from the grasses, and pollinators buzzed from bloom to bloom.
Today, less than one percent of Louisiana’s native prairies remain. But here at Moncus Park, we’re working to bring a little of that landscape back—and to help people reconnect with it.
What Makes a Prairie Special?
Louisiana’s native prairies are more than beautiful. They’re powerful, resilient, and packed with benefits.
Deep roots, healthy land
Prairie plants grow roots that reach down as far as 10 feet underground. These roots improve the soil, absorb rainwater, store carbon, and help prevent flooding and erosion.
Incredible biodiversity
A native prairie can host dozens of species in a small space. These grasslands support monarchs, bees, birds, frogs, and even plants that grow nowhere else in the world.
Built to bounce back
Fire and drought don’t scare prairie plants. They’ve evolved with regular fires and can recover quickly, thanks to their strong root systems. Fire is actually part of what keeps prairies healthy.
A living connection to the past
Many native plants were used by Indigenous people for food, medicine, and tools. Walking through a prairie is like stepping into a living piece of Louisiana’s history.
Why Moncus Park Cares About Native Plants
Restoring native prairie areas isn’t just about the plants. It’s about creating space for learning, healing, and connection. At Moncus Park, these plantings support pollinators, improve soil and water health, and offer hands-on education for all ages.
They also help us tell a story. One about resilience, restoration, and what it means to care for the land right here in Acadiana.
Together, we can keep this story alive.
Photos feature native prairie blooms at Moncus Park, captured between 2023 and 2025.
Native species at Moncus Park include Blazing Star, Indian Blanket, Native Milkweed, Coneflower, Beebalm, Clasping Coneflower, Common Sunflower, Goldenrod, Obedient Plant, Plains Coreopsis, Red Clover, Rosemallow, White Gaura, and Wild Bergamot.
