REVIVE - RESTORE - RE-LOVE!
REVIVE - RESTORE - RE-LOVE!
Have you ever walked among an abundance of beautiful wildflowers? Maybe you've witnessed a Monarch or Swallowtail Butterfly gather it's nectar from a patch of Common Milkweed? Or, perhaps you've watched a herd of bison peacefully grazing on a hill of natural grasslands?
As someone who enjoys being outside, and seeing God's creative landscapes, I have had the blessing to experience all of these wondrous sights, alongside my husband. We love our walks, discovering some of the remaining and/or restored prairie tracts in our state (and beyond)! And we have both grown to appreciate our lands in their most natural and original design - healthy, thriving and most certainly, diverse. We often ask ourselves what it must have been like to have lived in the days when the prairie was so prevalent, and witnessed the sights and sounds that pioneers and authors, like Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about.
Once the defining landscape of the continent, the prairie landscape has sadly been diminished by more than 99%.
The vast majority of North America’s prairie land has been inadvertently destroyed over time by the quest for agricultural and civilized "progress".
Modern and commercial practices that have been beneficial in some regard, have unfortunately also disrupted the once, healthy conditions of our earlier, rich prairie soils, endangering numerous species - some to complete extinction.
Native tall prairie grasses, enjoyed by our pioneer ancestors, have been replaced by Eurasian, tall fescue grass and petroleum-based grains throughout our country's pastures and lawns.
Perhaps, the most important thing we've lost along with the prairie, was access to free, sustainable food that we didn’t have to “work” for.
Native Americans thrived on the roots, fruits, seeds and leaves of nutrient-dense prairie plants as well as on the bison, deer and antelope that grazed on native grasses.
In addition to providing a free source of food for humans (and for the animals we eat), prairie plants are key in protecting against global warming, agricultural pollution, soil erosion, flooding, drought and the disappearance of pollinating butterflies and bees.
Many prairie plants also offer numerous medicinal benefits that naturally treat and/or prevent illnesses, offering holistic alternatives to help improve our well-being.
Today, there are a great number of prairie restoration projects underway and maintained by government agencies (like area Conservation Departments, and Department of Natural Resources), non-profit organizations (like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Nature Conservancy), as well as many private corporations, individuals and land owners.
It has been an exciting time to learn, and get more personally involved in ways that positively contribute to the restoration of healthy soils, once found on the prairie.
Discovering new, innovative methods to help improve land and wildlife management practices is something my husband and I feel impassioned to be a part of. And it's our desire to share our knowledge and experiences with others.
We have enjoyed getting to know many Missouri Ozark area farmers and native seed providers, and have been helping with the development of innovative tools and solutions for more healthy, sustainable land management.
In 2017, my husband Keith met the owners of Hamilton Native Outpost in Elk Creek Mo. He began a working relationship with them to develop a new tool for spreading native wildflower and grasses seed through aerial application, via drone. This seed spreading application has expanded to also provide seeding for traditional farm cover crops, as well as many other use cases in areas of conservation and wildlife management.
It has been, and continues to be quite a journey (and white, knuckle ride!) for us, as this new technology evolves and business opportunities open for us and our partners in this exciting endeavor. You can see more details and pictures/videos by clicking on the link above to visit the website.
Prairie Blossom Vintage is proud to recommend and support the restorative practices of agencies, private companies and organizations working to improve our soils and habitat using diverse native plants, and natural grazing practices. Whether you are looking to learn more about the history of prairie lands, discover innovative, land restoration methods, or simply want to add some native plantings to your own gardens/landscaping, click on the resources link for recommended books and websites.
Also, check our recommended prairie organizations/links below, to discover more ways you can get actively involved in prairie restoration.
Hamilton Native Outpost strives to provide a variety of adapted native plants and the knowledge to establish and maintain them for ecosystem restoration, wildlife habitat, grazing, and beauty in low-maintenance landscapes. Livestock (including bison) adapted to the environment is a complementary enterprise.
The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) prairie conservation organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Numerous, valued volunteers assist with prairie management and outreach activities.
Friends of Konza Prairie (FOKP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the Konza Prairie environmental education program. As a member, your contributions are tax-deductible (less benefits received) and go to bringing area school children to the tallgrass prairie.
Founded at its grassroots in the United States in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and more than 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 72 countries across six continents.
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