[8]: 103 The college Board Of Trustees designated the site as West Prairie-Marsh Nature Preserve in December 1993, and renamed it Russell R. Kirt Prairie in November 1999.

[13] In addition, many volunteers are needed to help in hand weeding of invasive plants, seed collection and processing, brush cutting and clearing, and trash removal.

[18] Detailed flowering dates of forbs and grasses growing at the prairie can be found in a phenological chart in Professor Kirt's book[3]: xiii–xvii  and also in the Trail Guide.

Target species that have been studied include small mammals such as white-footed mouse,[19][20] ants,[21][22] and baptisia seed pod weevil.

The diversity of flora and fauna at the site is documented at the citizen science portals eBird as a "hotspot"[29] and at iNaturalist as a "place"[30] as well as a "project".

[35] In 2017, the college installed two honey bee beehives in partnership with The Honeybee Conservancy and Kline Creek Farm[36] to provide pollination and to serve as a learning lab for students and the community.