photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

People gather for a healing circle at the remnant prairie behind Prairie Park Nature Center on Monday, May 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.

A healing circle led by Haskell Indian Nations University professor Dan Wildcat was held Monday at a native prairie recently damaged by herbicides.

In addition to Wildcat, the short ceremony was set to include Steve Cadue, Kickapoo elder and past tribal chair; Ron Brave; Courtney Masterson, botanist; Ken Lassman, ecological writer; the Rev. Shelley Page, Unitarian Universalist minister; and Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, poet. Attendants also had time to sit, stand and walk in silence, individually speaking to and connecting with the prairie itself. While the event was focused on healing, a petition calling for safeguards for the prairie and a sign-up for long-term restoration efforts was also available.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A Lawrence resident walks through the remnant prairie during a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.

Last Thursday, the city applied an herbicide that is designed to treat hay fields and kill all broadleaf plants to the entirety of the 5-acre remnant prairie. Within a few days, the myriad species of wildflowers and other leafy plants that together with native grasses make up the prairie ecosystem were beginning to wilt and brown. Two local ecologists who specialize in native plants told the Journal-World on Monday that herbicide should never be broadly applied to native prairie, and that treatment of invasive species should only ever be spot-sprayed in order to protect native species. The wildflowers and plants sprayed will die or be damaged, and the seeds that remain in the soil, which are not affected by the spray, will need to be supplemented in an attempt to try to restore the prairie after the damage.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Ken Lassman participates in a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, at the remnant prairie behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Haskell Indian Nations University professor Dan Wildcat speaks during a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, at the remnant prairie behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Plant life damaged by widespread herbicide use at the remnant prairie behind Prairie Park Nature Center, is seen Monday, May 8, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Ecologist Courtney Masterson participates in a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, at the remnant prairie behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

The entrance to the Prairie Park Nature Center is seen Monday, May 8, 2023, during a healing circle for the remnant prairie that was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023.

Ron Brave speaks during a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, at the remnant prairie behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Minister Shelley Page participates during a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, at the remnant prairie behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

The remnant prairie behind Prairie Park Nature Center is seen Monday, May 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kansas, about a week and a half after being erroneously sprayed with a devastating herbicide.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Haskell Indian Nations University professor Dan Wildcat holds a piece of sage during a healing circle Monday, May 8, 2023, at the remnant prairie behind the Prairie Park Nature Center in Lawrence, Kansas. The prairie was erroneously sprayed with an herbicide on April 27, 2023, causing massive damage to the native wild plant life.