Grassland Threats in Nebraska

Among the changes the Great Plains is facing is the loss of the historic herds of large, heavy grazers with which the grassland ecosystem evolved. That makes sustainable grazing practices on privately owned ranchlands in the state a pivotal approach for helping birds.

The single most important thing for sustaining birds in the state might be the conservation of those habitats and efforts to restore functioning, healthy ecosystems.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers are currently studying how returning native grasses amid croplands could save water and support wildlife. These so-called “prairie strips” of native grasses, such as switchgrass, big bluestem and Indiangrass, seeded on a quarter of croplands are expected to reduce water and fertilizer use and give a boost to biodiversity.

There’s also a push around Omaha to collect native seeds and plant them around the city to create pockets of ecosystems for birds, insects and wildlife, and native prairie grasses, better resistant to the heat and less in need of watering, have been touted as good candidates, particularly for city landscaping.