Our conservation efforts
are designed to...
Build appreciation of native
prairies and support for conservation of prairie plant and
animal communities, prairie streams, wetlands and other natural
elements of this unique American landscape;
Suppport public public and
private partnership programs including new opportunities for
landowners to preserve and enhance native prairies, and re-establish
and improve other grassland habitats;
Prepare outreach programs
to encourage owners with small acreages to retain prairie
remnants and establish native flora to foster biodiversity
and nature appreciation in suburban backyards, business landscapes
and rural neighborhoods;
Work to instill understanding
of the important historical role of traditional native rangeland
and hay meadow management practices for the conservation of
prairie resources;
Assist landowners who want
to protect native prairies with conservation easements;
Develop educational materials
and programs--in partnership with landowners, researchers
and others--on Best Management Practices that maximize opportunities
to benefit the natural diversity of native plants and animals,
including Prairie Chickens and other grassland birds;
Encourage governmental agencies,
universities and other public entities that manage public
land to incorporate Best Management Practices as demonstration
areas devoted to preserving native prairies and enhancing
habitats for wildlife in special need of conservation;
Persuade governmental entities
at all levels to recognize, and incorporate strategies to
protect prairie landscape and ecosystem values in planning
protocols;
Advocate statewide and county
adoption of Integrated Vegetative Roadside Management practices
that emphasize native grasses and wildflowers along with less
frequent mowing strategies to save tax revenues, benefit wildlife--from
Bobwhite Quail to butterflies--and add aesthetic appeal of
the countryside;
Convince officials at the
state and local levels to replace Prairie Dog eradication
programs historically imposed on landowners with cooperative
management and control programs--benefitting Burrowing Owls,
Golden Eagles, Mountain Plovers, Swift Foxes and other wildlife.
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