Restoring the Prairie - Why & How

Carbon Sink

Native Prairie Grassland is an excellent carbon sink and has carbon-capturing abilities rivaling the Amazon rainforest. Most of the captured carbon is stored within the roots underground, making it a superior long-term carbon storage method.  Grass species such as Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Indiangrass and Switchgrass all routinely grow up to five feet tall.  Root systems develop into thick entanglements that reach 12 to 15 feet deep, holding in place the rich, black soils of the Great Plains. It is estimated that only 3 to 4 percent of the original North American prairie remains.

See Kansas State University - Sequestration of Atmospheric CO2 Into Soils

Rotational Grazing

The North American Prairie evolved with the presence of Bison(Buffalo) herds roaming the vast open spaces. Since it is nearly impossible to contain Bison with fences in our small tracts, the next best option is to mimic Bison behavior with grass-fed beef cattle in a rotational grazing system. The cattle consume the grass, fertilize the soil, and aerate the ground with their hoof action. With appropriate grazing numbers, the relationship between grass and animals is symbiotic.

Fire

Fire has always been an integral component of the prairie ecosystems. Lightning strikes and intentional use of fire by indigenous cultures were part of the natural order of things. Prairie grass benefits by the occasional burning of dead residue, inhibiting invasive species encroachment and stimulating grass health. The storage of carbon in the extensive root systems, as opposed to above ground biomass in forests, is unaffected by burning.

Invasive Species

Much of the maintenance of grassland is the prevention of invasive woody species encroachment. Several times during the year, the grassland tracts are patrolled on foot and species such as Eastern Redcedar, Mulberry and Black Locust trees are eliminated with pruning shears or chain saw. The occasional spot-treatment of the stumps of the most noxious invaders are performed with an approved herbicide to prevent regrowth.

Fences

Our neighbors are farmers and ranchers that share a common history spanning several generations. It is imperative to establish and maintain good fences in order to respect our friends’ livestock and crops.