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Save of the Week: Restoring the Grand River Grasslands of Missouri

September 13, 2005

The Nature Conservancy recently acquired 685 acres for restoration and protection located within the Grand River Grasslands, a 70,000-acre prairie restoration landscape that straddles the Missouri-Iowa border.

The Grand River Grasslands remains the only known opportunity to restore and conserve a functional tallgrass prairie system on deep loamy soils in the Central Tallgrass Ecoregion, a region spanning six Midwest states.

The Nature Conservancy’s 3,680-acre Dunn Ranch anchors the 70,000-acre prairie restoration site. Within the 70,000 acres, the Nature Conservancy works closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and other partners and area landowners to restore a functional tallgrass prairie.

As part of the Grand River Grasslands, the Pennington tract is an essential area and linkage for a suite of area-dependent grassland bird species that are critical conservation targets, like the greater prairie chicken.

“This land is part of a critical corridor, which allows us to link the high quality conservation cores of Dunn Ranch/Pawnee Prairie in the south with Ringgold Wildlife area in the north, and eventually extend to the Kellerton Wildlife area,” said Susan Harris, Missouri state director. “This tract will also contribute to necessary minimum area habitat requirements for grassland species.”

The Pennington tract features level to rolling hills with a crest that offers a panoramic view of most of the tract. This area is particularly well-suited to prairie chicken “booming” or mating grounds. Historically, Pennington has been used for grazing operations and limited row crops.

“This tract also contains remnant native tallgrass prairie, another conservation priority target for Missouri,” Harris added.

The Pennington tract was purchased from Sharyn Pennington of Scottsdale, Arizona. The land originally belonged to Pennington's grandparents, Lola and Homer Donelson. Pennington grew up in Maryville, Missouri, but spent every weekend on the farm near Hatfield, Missouri.

“I’m very attached to the area and thrilled that The Nature Conservancy was interested in the land. In addition, my grandfather would be pleased that the land will continue to be preserved,” said Pennington.

The Pennington tract will be protected through a tailored conservation easement and then sold to a buyer interested in protecting the habitat using wildlife-compatible and rotational grazing practices and continuing conservation management techniques.

As part of prairie restoration, conservation management techniques such as controlled burning, conservation grazing and tree removal are being used on a large scale to stop the decline of habitat caused by invasive species, including fescue, Osage orange trees, and locust trees.

For More Information:

• The Nature Conservancy in Missouri
  Working with partners, local communities, and people like you, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 138,000 acres of critical natural lands in Missouri.
• Places We Protect: Dunn Ranch and Pawnee Prairie
  On the wide-open rolling expanses of Dunn Ranch and Pawnee Prairie, prairie chickens still perform their colorful spring "booming"; the upland plover's ghostly call carries in the wind; and regal fritillary butterflies alight on gorgeous coneflowers.
• Feature: Greater Prairie-Chicken, One of the Unlucky 13 Grasslands Birds
  The Greater Prairie-Chicken is extinct or in danger of extinction in 15 states, but reasonably abundant in four states. Learn more about this fascinating grasslands bird.
• Feature: Conservation Easements
  Conservation easements are one of the most powerful, effective tools available for the permanent conservation of private lands in the United States.
• Press Release: Grand River Grasslands Conservation Area Expands to Include 685 Additional Acres
  The Nature Conservancy recently acquired 685 acres for restoration and protection located within the Grand River Grasslands, a 70,000-acre prairie restoration landscape that straddles the Missouri-Iowa border.
• Press Release: Acquisition Ensures Prairie Chicken Habitat, Links Existing Conservation Land
  An agreement between The Nature Conservancy and a private landowner to permanently protect 80 acres in Harrison County will link two existing conservation areas, creating more than 1,000 acres of unfragmented conservation land in the Grand River Grasslands, a 50,000-acre landscape on the Missouri-Iowa border.
• Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
  Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.