Native Plant Initiative
About the Native Plant Initiative
Historically, native grasses and forbs (wildflowers) were abundant across the Northern Great Plains. Native plants are the foundation that supports 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 of invasive species. Further, so few grasslands remain that we need to maximize the variety 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.
The Native Plant Initiative is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resource Management, the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. This initiative is led by Lora Perkins in the Department of Natural Resource Management.
Mission
- To conduct research, education and outreach to support excellence in the native plant materials system in the nation with specific focus on the Great Plains.
Vision
- Rigorous, innovative and reliable data-driven science to improve the native plant materials system including seed collection and storage, seed production, native seed market and land management and restoration activities.
- Engaged stakeholders, excited collaborators and an educated public involved in expanding native plant use regionwide.
- Vibrant and profitable native plant material production, distribution and trade supporting the expanded use of native plants regionwide.
