Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve is a 156-acre protected area in Augusta County, Virginia, on the western slope of the Blue Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley. It preserves an unusual combination of mesic and wet prairie habitat and a calcareous spring-fed marsh. These habitats support eleven regionally rare plants, including queen-of-the-prairie, blueflag iris, and marsh-speedwell. Because some species common in the Midwest survive at only a few Virginia sites, the preserve has special botanical significance. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation owns and manages the area, and visits require prior arrangement because there are no public access improvements.