CP25 - Rare and Declining Habitat

Main Goals:

          ~Wildlife Habitat

          ~Soil Health

          ~Water Quality

About 80% of Iowa's landscape was once covered by the important and vital tallgrass prairie ecosystem. There are many factors to consider when establishing a native prairie, which can include: Site History, Seed Mix Design, Site Preparation, Planting, Establishment, and Long-Term Maintenance. Determining what the goal or objective is for the prairie planting will help guide the design or creation of a native seed mix. It is important to have a diverse native seed mix with prairie wildflowers that bloom from April to September that attract a wide array of insects and wildlife from spring to fall. A diverse native seed mix also helps the planting reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, survive extreme weather events, resist weed pressure, re-establish ecological balance, and increase the long-term stability of the historic prairie ecosystem.