The Grand Prairie Altar transforms its existing footprint of land into a Post-Anthropocene Architecture, art Installation, earthwork as well as a garden. The work incorporates a myriad of perennial plant species endemic to the Great Plains Ecoregion—that are beneficial for pollinators, and many of which are also edible and/or medicinal—into its design. In doing so, the work creates a space for plants, pollinators and people.
From its stationary position, The Grand Prairie Altar directly benefits numerous insect species, encouraging their populations to thrive. In utilizing a number of plant species which act as a direct food source for bees, beetles, butterflies, caterpillars, flies, hummingbirds, moths, and wasps, the work enables these populations to live off of the work. However, in attracting these species, some of them will also function as pest-predators and/or prey for other species of birds and insects. In this, the work adds to the capacity of the local ecosystem, not just through the immediate connections between the work and the local species, but the secondary and tertiary connections that result because of the growth of those immediate connections.
Furthermore, the work functions as a defensive and offensive space. It is in the enabling of a plurality of endemic species, that it hopes to mimic natural biodiversity and achieve a situation of hyper-saturation within its framework, for the purpose of fending off invasives by disallowing their colonization. Surrounded by monoculture plantations that stretch from the work to the horizon and beyond, The Grand Prairie Altar presents an oasis and repository for a selection of endemic species to thrive, whereby they can—in the elevated position enabled by the structure of the work—spread outwards in all directions—aided by the strong winds that blow across the prairies, as well as fauna and birds—providing opportunities to decolonize and rewild the surrounding landscape. This is not a short-term goal, but a long term vision, looking to retake land depleted by unsustainable agricultural practices that create the conditions for a new dust bowl to arise.
The work is not just an object, but presents a living and self-sustaining micro-ecosystem that will grow over time to influence and benefit the local environment, growing to become home to not just plant and insect species, but birds as well. While much of this Post-Anthropocene Architecture’s effect on its vicinity will be unquantifiable, it will also produce more direct effects through the olfactory and auditory sensations—as viewers approach and spend time within the work, they will slowly become aware of the mélange of smells produced by the plants as well as the habits of the non-humans that utilize the structure. It is in this situation presented by the work, as it functions as a habitat for endemic plant species and thus attracts a myriad of non-humans, that the structure also functions as an educational opportunity for those who spend time with it: to witness the lives, work, and experiences of other species. Additionally, for those who know, or want to learn, The Grand Prairie Altar also presents itself as a pantry as well as a medicine cabinet.
Although The Grand Prairie Altar has a small footprint, its sphere of influence will expand across the landscape over time, as a dynamic, living system. As it grows, changes and evolves—under the creative forces of its non-human authors—it will build its strength as both a sanctuary for endemic species, as well as a bulwark against colonization by invasive species. As such, this work is not an object in itself, but a methodology for embracing symbiotic ways of making oddkin, and a blueprint for the post-Anthropocene.
From its stationary position, The Grand Prairie Altar directly benefits numerous insect species, encouraging their populations to thrive. In utilizing a number of plant species which act as a direct food source for bees, beetles, butterflies, caterpillars, flies, hummingbirds, moths, and wasps, the work enables these populations to live off of the work. However, in attracting these species, some of them will also function as pest-predators and/or prey for other species of birds and insects. In this, the work adds to the capacity of the local ecosystem, not just through the immediate connections between the work and the local species, but the secondary and tertiary connections that result because of the growth of those immediate connections.
Furthermore, the work functions as a defensive and offensive space. It is in the enabling of a plurality of endemic species, that it hopes to mimic natural biodiversity and achieve a situation of hyper-saturation within its framework, for the purpose of fending off invasives by disallowing their colonization. Surrounded by monoculture plantations that stretch from the work to the horizon and beyond, The Grand Prairie Altar presents an oasis and repository for a selection of endemic species to thrive, whereby they can—in the elevated position enabled by the structure of the work—spread outwards in all directions—aided by the strong winds that blow across the prairies, as well as fauna and birds—providing opportunities to decolonize and rewild the surrounding landscape. This is not a short-term goal, but a long term vision, looking to retake land depleted by unsustainable agricultural practices that create the conditions for a new dust bowl to arise.
The work is not just an object, but presents a living and self-sustaining micro-ecosystem that will grow over time to influence and benefit the local environment, growing to become home to not just plant and insect species, but birds as well. While much of this Post-Anthropocene Architecture’s effect on its vicinity will be unquantifiable, it will also produce more direct effects through the olfactory and auditory sensations—as viewers approach and spend time within the work, they will slowly become aware of the mélange of smells produced by the plants as well as the habits of the non-humans that utilize the structure. It is in this situation presented by the work, as it functions as a habitat for endemic plant species and thus attracts a myriad of non-humans, that the structure also functions as an educational opportunity for those who spend time with it: to witness the lives, work, and experiences of other species. Additionally, for those who know, or want to learn, The Grand Prairie Altar also presents itself as a pantry as well as a medicine cabinet.
Although The Grand Prairie Altar has a small footprint, its sphere of influence will expand across the landscape over time, as a dynamic, living system. As it grows, changes and evolves—under the creative forces of its non-human authors—it will build its strength as both a sanctuary for endemic species, as well as a bulwark against colonization by invasive species. As such, this work is not an object in itself, but a methodology for embracing symbiotic ways of making oddkin, and a blueprint for the post-Anthropocene.
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PLANT SPECIES
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KEYSTONE
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POLLINATORS
🦋/🐝
🦋/🐝
🦋/🐝
🦋/🐝
🦋/🐝
🦋/🐝
🦋/🐝
🐛/🦋/🐝
🐝
🦋
🦋
🐝
🦋/🐝
🐝
🐛/🦋/🐝
🐛/🦋/🐝
🐝
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EDIBLE
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
🥦
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MEDICINAL
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
💊
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Certain gardens are described as retreats, when they are really attacks.
The Grand Prarie Altar was constructed during April & May of 2025 in Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada—supported by The Point.
Special thanks to Edmonton Native Plant Society as well as ALCLA Native Plants for all of their consultation and help in planning this project.
Special thanks to Edmonton Native Plant Society as well as ALCLA Native Plants for all of their consultation and help in planning this project.
