Location: Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory
Project Number: 3064-21600-001-139-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 28, 2026
End Date: Sep 27, 2027
Objective:
Synthesize existing scientific knowledge and management information to develop and refine practical, science-based guidance for conserving and restoring North Dakota's native grasslands that will be incorporated into a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Technical Note.
Approach:
A Master's student in the School of Natural Resource Sciences at North Dakota State University will conduct a focused review of peer-reviewed literature, extension publications, agency reports, and previous research related to invasive cool-season grasses, grazing management, prescribed fire, native prairie restoration, and soil health. To strengthen the management recommendations, existing management datasets, including available Native Prairie Adaptive Management (NPAM) data, long-term vegetation monitoring data from the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center and Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, and other relevant regional datasets will be evaluated. The emphasis will be on synthesizing and interpreting existing information rather than conducting new field research.