Throughout much of the Midwest, native grassland and prairie ecosystems have been lost to agriculture and urban development, woody vegetation encroachment, and invasive species. As a result, Midwestern grasslands are widely cited as among the most imperiled ecosystems globally, with estimates suggesting the loss of the vast majority of historic tallgrass prairie (Bird Conservation Region 22).

This extensive landscape-scale change has fragmented remaining grasslands and intensified challenges for grassland-dependent wildlife. In response, there is a growing need for stronger connection, coordination, and information-sharing among public conservation practitioners, private organizations, and private land owners, working to protect and restore these systems.

Building networks to link science, on-the-ground management, and regional planning has become essential for addressing the complex pressures facing grassland prairie ecosystems. By fostering communication, public-private relationships, and aligning conservation actions across the Midwest, practitioners can more effectively support remaining grasslands and the species that depend on them.

Goals

• Push forward a culture of land stewardship through education, public engagement, and fostering public-private relationships.
• Connect private land owners to activities which are both ecologically friendly and profitable.
• Utilize the best available science to monitor the status of grassland birds and inform management practices.

Contact

Joshua Dickinson
Grasslands Conservation Delivery Network Coordinator
Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture
Des Moines, IA

joshua.dickinson@dnr.iowa.gov