Brandenburg’s dramatic and lyrical photo-essay of North American prairies highlights his stunning imagery of its wildlife, wildflowers, grasses and landscape and sends a message to save the unique ecosystem of endangered native grasslands that once covered nearly a quarter of North America less than two centuries ago. Brandenburg conveys a personal perspective to his experience of the prairies during his boyhood in southern Minnesota, exploring the landscape that inspired him towards a future career as a wildlife photographer. His reflections include insights into the life of prairie dogs and their elaborate "towns", the near extinction of bison, the interdependence of species that make the grasslands their home, the regional types of three different prairies, and the ecological importance of this unique, endangered North American treasure.

See also: Sneed B. Collard's The Prairie Builders