By Scout Nelson
The Great Plains, one of the world's most endangered ecosystems, faces severe threats from invasive tree species and land conversion, impacting everything from agriculture to wildlife habitats. In Nebraska, efforts are underway to counter these threats through innovative conservation strategies aimed at preserving the region's grasslands.
Terry Cosby, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has recently been briefed on successful measures that are helping landowners protect Nebraska’s prairies. This includes a significant partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) and other local stakeholders aiming to reinforce grassland conservation across the Great Plains states.
Nebraska, where 97% of the land is privately owned and includes vast productive grasslands, is particularly susceptible to grassland loss due to woody encroachment and land-use changes.
To address these issues, Robert Lawson, Nebraska NRCS state conservationist, highlighted a unique agreement with UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources that expedites the implementation of new conservation science and technologies.
Professor Dirac Twidwell from UNL emphasized the historical and ongoing challenges of grassland conservation. He noted that land-use change was a major driver of grassland loss in the last century, and woody encroachment now poses an equal threat, annually converting as much grassland as agriculture does.
The proactive conservation efforts are supported by the development of high-tech tools like the Rangelands Analysis Platform, which helps understand vegetation trends and manage invasive species more effectively.
New educational materials have also been produced, including a vulnerability and risk guide to woody encroachment, which has been widely distributed among conservation groups.
Furthermore, the NRCS and UNL have hosted training sessions for nearly 200 field staff, enhancing local capabilities to tackle woody encroachment based on the latest research.
Through these concerted efforts, Nebraska is leading the way in preserving one of America's most iconic landscapes, aiming to prevent the loss of more grasslands to invasive species and ensure the biome's survival for future generations.
As Twidwell expressed, the commitment at UNL and among conservationists remains strong, dedicated to reversing the grassland loss trends and supporting the region's ecological and agricultural needs.
Photo Credit:istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: Nebraska, General, Government & Policy