The southeastern U.S. is not known as a major grassland region. Its grasslands largely disappeared two centuries ago. Today�s remnant savannas, prairies, glades, barrens, balds, and wet grasslands (bogs, fens, meadows, marshes) are vestiges of a bygone era.� Many are threatened by fire suppression, habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. In spite of occupying less than one percent of the land area, Southeastern grasslands harbor a disproportionate percentage of the nation�s grassland biodiversity. As grasslands continue to fade, the effects of ecological collapse are becoming clear. Without a paradigm shift and intervention, hundreds of species face functional or complete extinction. A stark realization is setting in that past and current conservation efforts aren�t enough to address the myriad threats facing Southern grasslands. A new visionary approach is needed to re-think conservation on a big-scale. The Southeastern Grasslands Initiative (SGI), based out of Austin Peay State University (Clarksville, Tennessee), aims to establish itself as a clearinghouse to focus priorities in on-the-ground conservation and research for grasslands across a 21-state region. The SGI will employ a multi-faceted approach that combines restoration, preservation, re-creation, research, rescue, seedbanking, education, and market-driven strategies. Re-classifying many Southeastern areas as rangeland would go a long way toward benefitting grassland conservation in the Southeast. The SGI�s long-term goal is to become a granting organization whereby we offer grants related to the eight strategies above to facilitate conservation at a scale not presently possible. Such an ambitious endeavor requires major funding. We are currently working with and seeking support from private philanthropic foundations, corporations, non-profit conservation organizations, and government agencies. To learn more about SGI please check out www.segrasslands.org.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.