Nearly thirty years ago, Rebecca and Kail Katzenmeier moved out to an obscure four acres of prairie and woodland tucked along the bank of Wildcat Creek just west of Manhattan, Kansas. Led by their deep conviction in the importance of personally experiencing the wonder of the natural world, they soon began strategically acquiring, preserving, managing, and sharing additional undeveloped native prairie patches, all within that same unique area of the Wildcat Creek watershed. To that end, they founded Prairiewood Retreat & Preserve in 2010.

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Since then, Prairiewood has been operated as a mission-inspired business, providing world-class lodging and event space nestled amongst the unique and compelling ecology of the tallgrass prairie. In doing so, Prairiewood has truly become the beloved community and regional asset they and others envisioned — a place where senses are awakened, perspective is renewed, and imagination is inspired. After 25 years of painstaking persistence, these efforts now stand as a beacon for private land conservation, affording direct connection to this cherished landscape for thousands of guests and visitors each year — many of whom would never personally set foot in the tallgrass prairie if not for the accommodations and access provided by Prairiewood.