The
Conservation Garden of the Great Plains
Lauritzen Gardens is a participating institution in the Center
for Plant Conservation, a coalition of the nationÕs leading
botanical institutions working to prevent the extinction of AmericaÕs
endangered plants. Our conservation work is focused on the Great Plains region
where more than 100 plants are in danger of becoming extinct in their native
habitat.
The work of conserving endangered plants involves research, seed
banking, and restoration projects.
Research
Project: Sandsage Prairie
Sandsage
prairie is a blend of shrubland and grassland in which sand sagebrush (Artemesia filifolia) is
the dominant plant. This community type is found in sandy habitat throughout a
large part of the western Great Plains, including southwestern Nebraska. Sandsage prairie is important for many species of grassland
birds but is declining in both quality and quantity and has been identified as
a conservation priority in the state wildlife action plans of Nebraska,
Colorado, and Kansas. Research by Lauritzen Gardens staff has increased
understanding and appreciation of this unique Great Plains plant community.
Research
Project: Endemic Plants of the Central Grassland of North America
Knowledge of the endemic plants of a region is an important
element in understanding the biological diversity of that region and in
prioritizing areas for conservation action. Research by Lauritzen Gardens has identified
382 plants with geographic distributions that are mostly limited to the Central
Grassland of North America. Of these ÒendemicÓ and uniquely grassland plants,
124 or 33% are at risk of extinction. A publication documenting the
distribution, ecology, and conservation status of these plants can be viewed
at:
Research
Project: Sandsage Prairie-Clover
Lauritzen Gardens is engaged in a multi-year research project to
document the ecology and conservation needs of sandsage
prairie-clover (Dalea cylindriceps),
a native wildflower that appears to be in serious decline. Sandsage
prairie-clover is rare throughout its range in the western Great Plains and is
ranked as a Tier I At-risk Species in Nebraska. Publications resulting from
this research can be viewed at:
á
2015 Dalea Cylindriceps
Report
á
2013 Dalea Cylindriceps
Report
á
Prairie-Clover Taxonomy & History
Research
Project: Kimball Grasslands
The
Kimball Grasslands is recognized as a Biologically Unique Landscape by the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project . Located in
the southwest part of the Nebraska Panhandle, the Kimball Grasslands hosts a
significant number of Nebraska plants of conservation concern. Most of these are associated with
escarpments, bluffs and other rocky habitat. Director of conservation Jim Locklear
conducted a reconnaissance survey of this region during the spring and summer
of 2014 to gain a better understanding of the ecology of rock outcrop
communities in the Kimball Grasslands and of the associated rare species.
The
report on the Kimball Grasslands can be viewed at:
á
2014 Kimball Grasslands Research
