Often Overlooked

North America’s grasslands, one of the world’s most important and diverse ecosystems, is disappearing before our eyes. Across the continent, trees like eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), pinyon (Pinus edulis), juniper (Juniperus spp.), and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) are overtaking prairie and sagebrush ecosystems, pushing out native wildlife and impacting ranchers, recreationists, water resources, and communities. As they establish and grow, these woody species transform productive rangelands and wildlife habitat into dense forests that fuel wildfires, reduce water supplies, diminish forage production, and threaten human health and local economies. Fortunately, there are solutions. Advanced spatial technologies provide landowners and land managers with detailed information on where conservation efforts can have the greatest impact. Preventing trees from invading intact grass and shrublands, acting at the first signs of expansion, and using practices like prescribed fire help protect and restore healthy grassland and sagebrush ecosystems. Partnerships that include growing coalitions of landowners working alongside local, state, provincial, Tribal, and federal agencies are creating a sense of hope and demonstrating that collaborative conservation can make a real difference. Because most of North America’s grasslands are privately owned, working across boundaries and leveraging the best available science are critical to conserving these landscapes for future generations of people and wildlife. Learn more about how the USDA-NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife partnership is helping lead these efforts at wlfw.org/landscapes/great-plains.