Nebraska
In 2002, Northern Prairies Land Trust entered into a cooperative relationship with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission to implement habitat improvement projects on privately owned prairies. Our initial work was focused on areas that are now called the Sandstone Prairies Biologically Unique Landscape (BUL) and Southeast Prairies BUL in southeast Nebraska. We subsequently extended our prairie-focused work to the Verdigris-Bazile, the Middle Niobrara River Valley, and Keya Paha Watershed BULs in northeast Nebraska. Over the past fifteen years, using funding from a series of successful NPLT grant proposals to the Nebraska Environmental Trust combined with funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, we have worked with over 300 landowners to enhance nearly 90,000 acres of grassland, primarily through implementation of invasive tree clearing, prescribed fire, planned grazing and high diversity seeding. Starting in 2009, we also began to focus some of the effort on the oak woodlands that rim the eastern side of Nebraska. Similar to prairies, oak woodlands and savannas have experienced massive declines over the past century. Their remnants are degrading due to the lack of appropriate management. We are spearheading large-scale restoration efforts at Ponca State Park and Indian Cave State Park involving prescribed fire and invasive species control. In addition, we have completed more than two dozen habitat improvement projects on over 5,000 acres of privately owned oak woodlands.
Nebraska Environmental Trust Projects
Eastern Cedars Thinning on Prairies
A major problem on Nebraska's native prairie lands is the invasive Eastern Cedar. This tree was introduced because it is hardy and provides good cover in shelter belts. Unfortunately, it likes to spread out through the open prairie, crowding out native grasses and eliminating livestock forage. As shown in the two pictures below, cedar trees can be successfully removed, allowing restoration of the native prairie plants.
Restoring Oak Woodlands
A similar problem is occurring in the hills and draws of Nebraska, where native Burr Oak trees are being crowded out by non-native invasive plants. Once again, combining human power and machines removes the invasive plants and allows the native species to flourish.
Using Conservation Easements to Preserve Native Habitat
We are hopeful that a new conservation easement will soon protect native prairie and woodlands in southeastern Nebraska. A landowner's strong desire to preserve the land for future generations and funding through the Nebraska Environmental Trust will combine to maintain prime habitat and allow a working ranch to continue in an area of potential development.
Public Education and Meetings
Interacting with the public to provide information or new perspectives is essential in starting and maintaining conservation programs. These interactions range from more formalized education meetings on important topics, such as managing grasslands for wildlife habitat and livestock forage, to freestyle and innovative workshops introducing new ideas. The photos below are from a workshop for educators designed to introduce new ideas to help get our younger generation back to the outdoors.
Prescribed Burns
Using prescribed burns to control invasive species in prairies and woodlands and rejuvenate native plants has proven to be a valuable tool and is increasing in use. While Northern Prairies does not conduct prescribed burns, we assist landowners by helping them organize cooperatives so they can carry out the burns themselves and providing some of the tools necessary for the burn to be conducted safely and efficiently. Our office in Royal, Nebraska, is assembling a "burn trailer" with all the supplies landowners need to complete the prescribed burns. Our offices in Beatrice and Valentine have also been very active in providing workshops and equipment for landowners.