The shortgrass prairie might not seem as glamorous as our nation’s mountains and forests, but it’s one of the most important ecosystems in the West. This week, Nora Bales joins us to break down what shortgrass prairie actually is, why it’s suffered such debilitating losses, and most importantly - why we should care.
We cover what restoration looks like today. From droughts to invasive species, practices like “trait-based” restoration are showing some promising results for the future of our prairies. Tune in to hear what’s working, what’s not, and why research has provided us with a sprout of hope for the resilience of our western landscapes.
Topics
[0:00] Introduction: Shortgrass Prairie with Nora Bales
[3:10] What Is Shortgrass Prairie and Why Does it Matter?
[6:58] Current State of Shortgrass
[10:24] Ranching and Restoration
[16:18] Biggest Challenges
[20:46] Practical Tools for Landowners
[24:58] From Research to Real-World
[29:15] The Future of Restoration Work
[32:20] Why Collaboration Matters
Links
Dryland Ecology Lab
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