Amber Waves of Grain and Grass
Prairies – or grasslands – are unsung American heroes. They might not have the majesty of purple mountains, but with diverse communities of grasses and wildflowers, the tallgrass, mixed grass, and shortgrass prairies can compete with the grandeur of mountain peaks if you take the time to appreciate them.
Their natural beauty is just one of many benefits grasslands provide that are often underappreciated, but the prairie certainly has been appreciated – loved to death, in fact – for its fertile soils.
About half of the world’s grasslands have been lost. That statistic is even more dire for America’s prairies, with 70% of our former grasslands gone.
Twenty National Grasslands are administered by the U.S. Forest Service. These 3.8 million acres of public land serve as critical habitat for thousands of species of pollinators. Pollinator species – which can include bats, birds, bees, beetles, flies, moths, and butterflies – pollinate plants, which supply one-third of human food. The value of this service provided for free by wild pollinators is estimated at $4-6 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
These public lands provide habitat to wildlife and pollinators, and recreational access for hunters. Grasslands also deliver essential “ecosystem services,” such as pollination, erosion reduction, water purification, and flood and drought mitigation, all of which sustain healthy ecosystems and prosperous communities. Additionally, the economic activity from hunting and tourism significantly boosts local economies.
As Pollinator and Grasslands Week comes to a close we want to remind you that the National Grasslands landscape – amber waves of grain blended with swaying prairie grasses and blooming wildflowers – is as beneficial as it is beautiful. Protecting these landscapes supports wildlife, enhances community prosperity, and preserves America’s natural heritage.
Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4kXj0MU
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