Abstract Detail

Ecology

Perkins, Lora [1], Boe, Arvid [2], Latvis, Maribeth [3], Ehlert, Krista [1], Leffler, A. Joshua [1], May, Candace [4], Nepal, Madhav [5], Xu, Lan [1].

The Native Plant Initiative at South Dakota State University.

Historically, native grasses and forbs (wildflowers) were abundant across the Northern Great Plains. Native plants are the foundation that support insects, pollinators (including bees), birds, and wildlife. Loss of grasslands and invasive plants began to emerge as problems in the 1800s. Initially, managing vegetation was simply removing occasional invasive plants from a background of native plants. However, now our grasslands are so heavily impacted that management can be envisioned as restoring native plants in a background matrix of invasive species. Further, so few grasslands remain that we need to maximize the biodiversity of native plants in every area possible. These areas include private and public lands such as grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, farms, ranches, parks, yards, and urban areas. This new reality requires a more thorough understanding of native plant restoration and production than currently exists for native plants in the Northern Great Plains. Therefore, the Native Plant Initiative (NPI) at South Dakota State University (SDSU) was formed to highlight and elevate work on plants native to the Northern Great Plains. Current research at NPI falls into three categories: plant material development and production; wildland management and restoration; and using native plants in professional and private landscaping. Undergraduate and graduate research is being supported by NPI. Outreach is conducted through SDSU Extension, stakeholder newsletters, social media, demonstration plots, and native plant sales.

1 - South Dakota State University, Natural Resource Management
2 - South Dakota State University, Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science
3 - South Dakota State University, Department Of Natural Resource Management, 1390 College Avenue, Box 2140B, South Dakota State University , Brookings , SD, 57007, United States
4 - South Dakota State University, Sociology and Rural Studies
5 - South Dakota State University, Biology And Microbiology, McFadden Biostress Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, United States

Keywords:
restoration
seeds
stakeholder engagement
Northern Great Plains.

Presentation Type: Poster
Number: PEC023
Abstract ID:943
Candidate for Awards:None