January 2025 (Click the title to view the program YouTube video)
In 2018, Chris Helzer flagged out a square meter of prairie on the edge of his town of Aurora, Nebraska. Over the next year, he visited repeatedly, photographing everything he could find. The project resonated really well with the public and turned into a book, a museum exhibit, and lots of presentations. In April of 2024, Chris decided to revisit the exact same square meter plot and spend another year there. That project is still ongoing, but the field season provided an incredible wealth of photographic opportunities and stories. If you think prairies are boring and empty, you’ll be amazed at what he found in a tiny slice of one small prairie. If you think prairies are incredible, you’ll become even more inspired after learning about Chris’ exploration of his 1×1 meter plot.
Chris Helzer is Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and supervises the Conservancy’s preserve stewardship program. He also helps develop, test, and share prairie management and restoration strategies. Chris is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing, and presentations. He is the author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States and Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter. He is also a frequent contributor to NEBRASKAland magazine and other publications. Chris and his family live in Aurora, Nebraska.