The Missouri Prairie Foundation seems to be quietly fighting a losing battle. But it's an important battle for our state's habitat, and a battle the public needs to know about.
The group works to preserve prairie and native grasslands in Missouri. But like the plight to save forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems, the effort is an uphill battle in the face of urbanization.
Prairies are ecosystems that grow where the climate dictates limited rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. Plants growing in prairies are typically non-woody or herbaceous plants.
In the past 200 years, the 15 million acres of prairie in Missouri has dwindled to 50,000 -- less than one-half of 1 percent of the amount it had, said Carol Davit, foundation executive director.
But the non-profit organization rightly argues the prairies are critically important to safeguard the habitat of many prairie-dependent plants and insects.
As we recently reported, the Missouri Prairie Foundation was presented with the Sacajawea Community and Partnership Conservation Award from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
The organization started 55 years ago. It owns and manages 29 tracts of land totaling more than 4,100 acres that are open to the public. MPF works to protect and restore prairie and other native grassland communities through land acquisition, management, education and research. MPF also promotes the use of native plants through its 21-year-old Grow Native program and supports the detection and control of invasive plants by administering the Missouri Invasive Plant Council.
Prairies are a big part of our state's natural heritage. Do you recall the popular television show, "Little House on the Prairie?" It stemmed from books written by former Missourian Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The work done by MPF, which consists of a staff of four and volunteers, is important. We're glad to see them recognized, and we hope they continue to protect a valuable part of our state's heritage.
News Tribune