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Grasslands and Prairies
Conserving These Crucial but Endangered Habitats
Grasslands conjure images of an endless and open land — tall grasses and wide-open spaces without a glimmer of civilization.
But in fact, few grassland and prairie ecosystems resemble this image — an image that used to move philosophers and painters, or inspire restless settlers and industrious farmers.
That’s because grasslands and prairies are the world’s most imperiled ecosystem. Only 5 percent of grasslands are protected globally, but they are greatly threatened by:
- The spread of invasive species;
- The suppression of natural fire; and
- The fragmentation and urbanization of grassland habitat.
What The Nature Conservancy Is Doing
We are working to preserve these crucial habitats by using all the tools of conservation — including science, partnerships, land management and restoration. And our strategies are based on the belief that no matter what the conservation challenge, people form the core of the solution.
Nachusa Grasslands is one of the Conservancy's greatest on-going success stories, and it serves as a living model for a variety of land management techniques.
In Kenya's northern rangelands, we are using our collaborative approach to support the development of conservation agreements with local communities and landowners - and to save grasslands.
The Conservancy’s conservation work in Argentina today concentrates on the country’s Patagonian grasslands — one of the world’s least protected and most threatened habitats.
Explore Our Grasslands Conservation Work
How do you get so close to nature? Let Chris Helzer, our Eastern Nebraska Program Director, tell you!
The Conservancy's Chris Pague and Mark Godfrey share their photos of grasslands from opposite sides of the Earth.
The Conservancy’s Chris Helzer captures the mysterious beauty of Nebraska grasslands, from stunning sunsets to insect close-ups.
Design for a Living World in Illinois
Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma travelled to The Nature Conservancy's Nachusa Grasslands Preserve to learn more about the prairie and gain inspiration for a specially created Illinois exhibition piece.
Nachusa Grasslands Preserve: Tour of an Illinois Prairie
Experience an Illinois Prairie with the Conservancy's project director, Bill Kleiman. See the the diverse plants and wildlife that thrive in this model prairie restoration.
Bison at Broken Kettle Grasslands
At the end of October 2008, a small herd of bison was reintroduced at Broken Kettle Grasslands in the globally significant Loess Hills, in western Iowa
Maintaining Fire's Natural Role
Natural fire is important to many habitats – especially grasslands – in keeping them healthy. The Nature Conservancy is working to restore the natural role of fire to our landscapes.
Grasslands Birds
The grasslands of the world provide rich habitat for a wide range of bird species.
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We need to act now, before it's too late. Watch the Video, Take Action
We're addressing Latin America's most pressing conservation issues. Read the Story
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