How Deep Do Your Roots Go? The native grasslands of North America are more than meets the eye. Beyond their rare beauty, the native prairie plants are ecological powerhouses – sequestering carbon, enriching our soil, and cleaning the air we breathe. What’s more? Their intricate root systems significantly impact water management by reducing runoff and improving water infiltration. Native prairie flowers and grasses are renowned for their deep, expansive roots, which help absorb and store water efficiently. Take the leadplant – its roots can reach up to 17 feet in depth. In fact, up to 90% of wildflowers and native grass species thrive beneath the surface, where their roots access water from deep within the soil. This adaptation assists prairie plants in withstanding drought conditions by tapping into moisture reserves. From backyard pollinator plots to vast, intact prairies, these root networks are hard at work. Their reach extends far beyond the surface, quietly conserving water and sustaining life across entire ecosystems. So next time you find yourself in the uplands, pause for a moment. Admire the grasses and flowers waving in the wind – but remember, the real magic lies below. #quailforever #thehabitatorganization

NEW ON THE WING PODCAST Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by The Nature Conservancy's Kelsey Molloy, Wyoming Migration Initiative's Andrew Jakes, Pheasants Forever's Casey Sill and PF’s Montana State Coordinator Hunter VanDonsel for a discussion regarding the Montana Grassland Initiative. This week’s episode celebrates the unique aspects and animals comprising Montana’s grasslands and the efforts PF & QF are taking to conserve this precious biome. Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! https://bit.ly/40729ic “On the Wing Podcast” is proudly fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs #pheasantsforever #quailforever #thehabitatorganization #onthewingpodcast

Across the U.S. Great Plains, over half of our native grasslands have been permanently lost to cropland, energy and urban development, or the encroachment of trees. This loss threatens entire wildlife communities as well as human economies and cultures. Once grasslands are degraded, the finely-tuned benefits they provide can permanently disappear. We must stop this death by a thousand cuts – and turn the tide – before it’s too late for our favorite birds, our irreplaceable pollinators, and for ourselves. To learn more visit www.mapforgrasslands.org 🎥: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Welcome to Pollinator & Grasslands Week! While we often celebrate bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for their vital role in supporting upland ecosystems, this week is also a call to honor the prairies and grasslands they depend on – landscapes that are just as critical to quail and other upland birds. At Quail Forever, we believe conservation should benefit entire ecosystems – quail, turkeys, deer, fish, pollinators, and the native grasses and wildflowers that hold it all together. Pollinator & Grasslands Week reminds us that conservation doesn’t always require hundreds of acres or heavy equipment. Sometimes, all it takes is a small bag of seed, a little time, and the faith that even small actions can ripple outward. Read "The Buzz and Beauty Behind Better Bird Habitat" at the link below and stay tuned all week as we celebrate with films, stories, and habitat projects. https://bit.ly/43ZxLYi #quailforever #thehabitatorganization