When Forest Park visitors follow the paths through Kennedy Forest to its northwest corner today, they encounter the sights and sounds of a thriving urban ecosystem of pollinators, birds and wildflowers that would have been almost unimaginable 25 years ago.

Thankfully, a few insightful volunteers did imagine this scene a quarter century ago.

The beauty now found in the eight-acre section known as Kennedy Forest Savanna reflects dedicated restoration work by Forest Park Forever, St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, the Missouri Department of Conservation and volunteers* from the Kennedy Woods Advisory Group (KWAG). 

Envisioned by KWAG's Gary Schimmelpfenig and the late Ken Cohen, the Kennedy Forest Savanna was the first intentionally (re)created Nature Reserve in Forest Park. On this spot near Skinker Boulevard, overgrown in 1998, Schimmelpfenig and Cohen noticed mature post oak trees—native to Missouri and can live for hundreds of years—and a soil makeup that hinted at pre-existing savanna. Ant expert Dr. James C. Trager further examined the soil and the species of ants found in the area and affirmed KWAG's hypothesis.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, only a handful of savanna landscapes remain in Missouri, surviving where prairies transition into woodland. Like prairies, savannas are open areas dominated by native perennial grasses and forbs. With up to 30 percent tree cover, savannas have more trees than prairies but fewer trees than woodlands. 

Kennedy Forest Savanna is a transitional area to the woodland of Kennedy Forest, providing essential habitat for many plant and animal species once again. 

Like so much of Forest Park's restoration, returning the savanna to St. Louis took thoughtful collaboration and funding from private donors. 

The work Forest Park Forever and City staff, outside experts and volunteers accomplished over two decades ranges from manual labor to soil tests, while monitoring years-long progress and shepherding the savanna back to life.

The team reintroduced native plant communities, with Schimmelpfenig himself finding prairie bunchflower in the wilds of Missouri and the restoration team using those seeds to establish thriving flower communities in Forest Park. Purple milkweed and white wild indigo are other noticeable examples of plants thriving after seeding and preservation efforts in the savanna.   

Forest Park Forever's Nature Reserve team has even installed bird boxes supporting songbirds like the tree swallow, whose first-choice nesting site is a tree cavity, which is limited in urban environments. 

It is part of our conservancy’s mission to maintain diverse and historically accurate habitats that provide an oasis for visitors and nature in the middle of a busy city. Near the savanna, a similar example is the vernal ponds of Kennedy Forest, which provide an Ozark stream-like habitat where at least 33 species of bees and wasps and more than 20 species of butterflies and moths have been identified, along with insect-eating birds, like the indigo bunting.

Today's Kennedy Forest Savanna provides an essential habitat in St. Louis’ most beloved urban green space. Pollinators, birds, wildflowers and even human visitors—all benefit from the Forest Park visionaries decades ago, the daily maintenance by our team today, and forward-thinking annual members who support this work for future generations. Click here for more perks of being a Forest Park Forever member.

Maintaining Success for the Next Generation

Twenty-five years after restoration began in Kennedy Forest Savanna, Forest Park boasts over 194 combined acres of Nature Reserve. And our conservancy is privileged to continue environmental work with our City partners, and with the support of dedicated volunteers.

On November 2, for the 25th year, volunteers will work together to enhance Forest Park habitats at the Invasive Species Removal & Habitat Restoration project day. Initiated by KWAG, our nonprofit has grown this annual effort into a highly successful, large-scale event that supports habitat across Forest Park's Nature Reserve.

There are many opportunities to sustain Forest Park!

Can’t volunteer on November 2, become a Forest Park Forever Volunteer today or click below to learn more about ways to make a difference in Forest Park!

By joining Forest Park Forever as a member or making a one-time gift today, you invest in Forest Park as a great place to enjoy in this season and for the next generation.

*If you are interested becoming a KWAG volunteer engaging in ecological and native restoration in Kennedy Forest Savanna on Saturdays, complete this application form.