Project Profile: Restore Eastern Grasslands

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Spring Gap, grassland restoration project will focus on improving over 70 acres of habitat for grassland birds and Virginia mountain mint.

NPS / Casey Reese

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY23-27 $7,500,00

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
National Seed Strategy, Invasive Species, Federal Lands Contracts | FY23 - 26 $3,040,000

This project was also made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation
$1,000,000

The National Park Service (NPS) will restore up to 4,000 acres of agricultural fields and degraded lands across 37 parks in 15 states. This landscape-scale restoration project will expand the range and connectivity of native grasslands across the eastern U.S., restore biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions, reduce pesticide use, benefit people and wildlife, and create employment opportunities for diverse early career youth.

Why? More than 90 percent of U.S. grasslands have been converted into other land uses, making them the most imperiled ecosystems in North America. Native grasslands support key wildlife species, such as rapidly declining populations of grassland birds and pollinators, sustain ecological processes, including nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, provide ecosystem services to humans, and are vital for maintaining soil conditions and water quality. Intact native grasslands ecosystems reduce climate change vulnerability. In addition to preserving the history of the area, restored native grasslands also increase and conserve native biodiversity—which represents more than 60 percent of imperiled plant and animal species in the region.

What else? After evaluating the restoration areas in each park, the National Park Service will work with project cooperators at Austin Peay State University's Southeastern Grasslands Institute to begin site preparation by removing invasives and woody species. Once this preparation is complete, a custom seed mix will be developed for each site, tailored to local conditions and with climate change in mind. Seed mixes will consist of a diverse blend of grass and forb species. All sites will be managed through techniques including annual mowing, prescribed fire, and targeted removal of invasive species.

Learn More About This Project

About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of our nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine. 

About the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes critical investments in the resilience and restoration of America’s lands, skies, and waters, and enhances conservation and recreation opportunities. Visitors will see tangible results such as repaired and upgraded trails and campgrounds, removal of invasive species, as well as healthy wetlands, grasslands, and forests. 

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