Prairie Ecosystem Awareness
The goal of the Prairie Stewardship Program is to increase awareness of the importance,
value, and function of riparian and native prairie ecosystems. Stewardship of these areas
is encouraged through extension with landowners, government agencies, and other interested
organizations. To participate in the program, landowners voluntarily conserve these areas
through a verbal stewardship agreement. The land and all decisions on its management rest
squarely in the hands of the individual landowner. Some voluntary stewards may also participate
in demonstration projects that feature beneficial management practices. Healthy native prairie
and riparian areas are essential components of healthy watersheds.
In the past year, 120 new stewards made voluntary stewardship agreements to maintain and protect about 51,000 acres (20,655 hectares)
of native prairie habitat, 50 miles (80.5 kilometres) of streambanks, and 1200 acres (486 ha) of wetlands.
In total, over 1200 voluntary stewards are enrolled in the program, representing 512,000 acres (207,000 ha) of native prairie, 250 miles
(402 km) of streams, and 15,000 acres (6075 ha) of wetlands. These landowners have demonstrated their commitment to the conservation of habitat and water quality.
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Advisories