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THE nature conservancy, South dakota

climate challenge: Increased precipitation

GRANT AWARD: $248,270; YEAR AWARDED: 2018

This project takes place in the Prairie Pothole Region of the northern Great Plains, with a focus on local forb species. Climate models for this region predict warmer, wetter springs which will continue to change the growing seasons and impact prairie plant species. Current plant restoration practices in this area involve re-planting using local seed from a single source, which can compromise biodiversity and climate-resilience for this habitat. This project will implement a restoration strategy using seeds from mixed source populations, increasing the genetic variability of the region and allowing forb species to thrive in current and future climate conditions.




Watch and Learn:

Prairie DNA

Grasslands are the most endangered and least protected habitat type on Earth. Ensuring resilience, through genetic diversity, is key to maintaining them into the future. Learn more about the tool used to implement the strategy used in this project.