Since 1997 Dale and Eileen Small have been clearing land belonging to Eileen’s family along Clarks Creek Road in order to bring back the native grass.

In recognition of their work the Geary County Conservation District presented the Small’s with the 2015 Grassland Award.

“It means so much, and I wish my grandpa and grandma were here to experience this with us,” said Eileen. “I think they would be really proud of how we’ve carried on the tradition and taken care of the land.”

Since 1997 the Small’s have been clearing brush, sumac, cedar and locust tree’s to get it to where it is now. Comparing a picture of the grassland from 2013 to now is even a night and day transformation.

“It’s a golf course now compared to back in the ’90s, really, there’s that much improvement.”

The work isn’t done though, Dale says there’s still plenty of cedar tree’s to clear, but he hopes to be done within the next four to five years.