Alabama awarded $17M to bring back Black Belt Prairie
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The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC) has been awarded $17.5 million by the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement the “Restoring Alabama’s Black Belt Prairie Landscapes” project.
Two centuries ago, Black Belt Prairie and other grasslands dominated Alabama’s landscape. But that all changed in the 1800s when grasslands and prairies were converted into cotton crops and rooftops. Today, 99% of our biologically diverse Black Belt prairie lands have disappeared.
The Black Belt Prairie project is dedicated to bringing back and restoring Alabama’s distinctive Black Belt Prairie ecosystem.
They will accomplish that task by taking the following actions:
- Removing invasive woody plants
- Managing unwanted species
- Using controlled burns
- Planting warm season grasses
- Implementing rotational grazing
By implementing targeted conservation techniques, the project aims to restore native plant diversity, enhance wildlife habitats, and improve soil health throughout the region.
Partnerships are the key to success
Over the next five years, ALSWCC will work with producers and landowners to restore 8,000 acres of prairie.
“Through this USDA grant, we’re excited to partner with local farmers, ranchers, and landowners to restore these historic prairies. This work will have lasting impacts on Alabama’s land and communities, showing how conservation can support the long-term health of our natural resources.”
Dr. William Puckett, Executive Director of ALSWCC
According to a recent news release, in addition to the $17 million grant, the Soil and Water Conservation Committee has partnered with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) to launch a $2.2 million pilot prairie project.
Through this initiative, 31 Alabama landowners across 19 counties are now actively participating in conservation efforts to restore and enhance the unique Black Belt Prairie ecosystem.
Learn more about Black Belt Prairie
Want to learn more about the importance of Black Belt Prairie and the partnerships that will help bring this rare landscape back? Check out The Bama Buzz October story about one family’s efforts to restore Black Belt Prairie on their land and community.
Here is the link: Restoring Alabama’s Black Belt Prairie: A family’s mission.
