Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz spent their marriage practicing law,  bird watching,  and enjoying nature. They took early retirements and transformed their backyard into an urban prairie. The success of this project inspired a more intense interest in the North American prairie. The results are this book and another book, which will examine the natural and human history of the prairie.

The book was written because of the authors' interest in prairies. The author's hope this book inspires people to visit prairies and also to become interested in protecting and restoring them. They also hope to interest others in protecting, restoring, and viewing them.