# Temperate Prairies (9.2) # Ecosystems Resources ##### Reference landscapes, databases, and mapping tools for understanding prairie ecosystems across the Temperate Prairies region, including land trust preserves, ecoregion boundary maps, and state natural heritage programs tracking rare communities.  ##### **Foundational Ecosystem Information** ##### **National Databases** ##### [NatureServe Explorer](https://explorer.natureserve.org/) (USA) - Searchable database of conservation status, distribution, and ecology for species and ecosystems across North America.  ##### [EPA Level III/IV Ecoregions](https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions-continental-united-states) (USA) - EPA's ecoregion classification maps, used to define the boundaries and characteristics of the Temperate Prairies region and its sub-regions.  ##### **Reference Landscapes** ##### [The Nature Conservancy](https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/) (USA) - National conservation nonprofit protecting and restoring prairie landscapes through state-level preserves, land protection, and prescribed fire management.  ##### [Platte Land Trust](https://plattelandtrust.org/) (KS/MO/NE/IA) - Volunteer-run land trust protecting natural areas across the four-corners region.  ##### [Grasslands Heritage Foundation](https://www.grasslandheritage.org/) (KS) - Kansas-based land trust preserving native tallgrass prairie remnants through acquisition and stewardship.  ##### [Kansas Land Trust](https://www.klt.org/) (KS) - Kansas land trust conserving ecologically and culturally significant lands, including prairie remnants, through easements.  ##### [Missouri Land Trust Coalition](https://missourilandtrusts.org/) (MO) - Association of Missouri land trusts working to protect natural, community, and farm landscapes statewide, including prairie remnants. ##### [Grand Prairie Friends](https://www.grandprairiefriends.org/) (IL) - Volunteer-driven land trust and conservation organization preserving and restoring natural areas across east-central Illinois. ##### [The Nature Conservancy Canada](https://natureconservancy.ca/) (CAD) - Canadian branch of TNC, protecting prairie and grassland habitat nationwide in partnership with First Nations and provincial governments. ##### **Natural Heritage** ##### [Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory](https://www.ou.edu/oknaturalheritage) (OK) - Oklahoma's official database tracking the state's rare plants, animals, and natural communities.  ##### [Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory](https://biosurvey.ku.edu/kansas-natural-heritage-inventory) (KS) - Kansas's official database tracking rare species, natural communities, and high-quality natural areas statewide.  ##### [Missouri Natural Heritage Program](https://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/responsible-construction/missouri-natural-heritage-program) (MO) - Missouri's program tracking rare, threatened, and endangered species and natural communities to guide conservation and development decisions. ##### [Nebraska Natural Heritage Program](https://outdoornebraska.gov/conservation/conservation-efforts/natural-heritage-program/) (NE) - Nebraska's official database tracking the location and status of the state's rarest species and natural communities. #####   ##### **Extension & Land Management** ##### [University of Missouri Grassland Extension Project](https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/native-grass-project) (MO) - Joint MU Extension/MDC program promoting native grass adoption for economic and conservation benefits. ##### [Iowa State Extension](https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/) (IA) - Iowa State's extension hub for land management, prairie restoration, and natural resource guidance for landowners and professionals.  # Species Resources ##### Guides and databases for identifying native and invasive species across the Temperate Prairies region, including state invasive plant guides, endangered species resources, keystone prairie species, and native plant databases.  ##### **Native & Invasive Species Identification** ##### **National Databases** ##### [BONAP](http://www.bonap.org/) (USA) - Plant distribution mapping tool showing county-level native ranges across North America, useful for confirming regional plant provenance.  ##### [USDA PLANTS Database](https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/) (USA) - Federal database of plant names, classification, and distribution, widely used for confirming native plant identification.  ##### **Invasive Species Resources** ##### [MIPN](https://mipn.org/invasive-plant-list/) (Midwest) - Regional list and profiles of invasive plants affecting the greater Midwest, including prairie ecosystems.  ##### [OkIPC](https://www.okinvasives.org/) (OK) - Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, coordinating invasive plant identification, research, and management statewide in partnership with Oklahoma State University Extension.  ##### [MDC](https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/invasive-nuisance-species) (MO) - Missouri's guide to invasive plants and animals threatening native ecosystems.  ##### [IA NDR](https://www.iowadnr.gov/programs-services/forestry-resources/forest-tree-health/invasive-plants) (IA) - Iowa's official guide to identifying and managing invasive plant species.  ##### [NDSU](https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/identification-and-control-invasive-and-troublesome-weeds-north-dakota) (ND) - North Dakota State University Extension's guide to identifying and controlling the state's noxious and invasive weeds.  ##### [MN DNR](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrial/index.html) (MN) - Minnesota DNR's guide to invasive plants of concern statewide and how to report them.  ##### [ISCM](https://invasivespeciesmanitoba.com/site/index.php) (CAD) - Invasive Species Council of Manitoba's resource for identifying and reporting invasive species threatening the province's ecosystems.  ##### [SISC](https://www.saskinvasives.ca/) (CAD) - Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council, a multi-sector partnership coordinating invasive species management and awareness across the province.  ##### **Endangered Species**  ##### [USFWS ECOS](https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/) (USA) - Federal and state databases tracking threatened and endangered species relevant to prairie habitats.  ##### **Keystone Species** ##### [Xerces Society](https://xerces.org/) (USA) - National nonprofit focused on invertebrate conservation, with strong pollinator and native bee resources relevant to prairie habitat.  ##### [National Wildlife Federation Guide](https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide) (USA) - National field guide profiling plants and animals by habitat, with accessible descriptions of each species' ecological role.  ##### [Audubon North American Birds](https://www.audubon.org/bird-guide?region=plains) (Plains) - Audubon's field guide and range profiles for over 800 North American bird species, including grassland species affected by prairie habitat loss.  #####   ##### **State Plant Guides** ##### [Missouri Botanical Garden: Plant Finder](https://plantfinder.mobot.org/plantfindersearch.aspx) (MO) - Missouri Botanical Garden's searchable database of 7,500+ plants grown at the Kemper Center, with photos and identification details.  ##### [Prairie Plants of Iowa](https://uipress.lib.uiowa.edu/ppi/index.php) (IA) - University of Iowa Press's digital field guide to native Iowa prairie plants, with identification details, distribution maps, and a list of open prairies.  # Indigenous Partners ##### Tribal nations and tribal programs managing land, water, and grassland resources across the Temperate Prairies region, including conservation and agricultural stewardship initiatives on tribal lands.  ##### **Tribal Land & Resource Stewardship** ##### **Tribal Nations & Programs** ##### [Osage Nation](https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/services/department-natural-resources) (OK) - Practices bison restoration, prescribed fire, and conservation grazing on tribal lands through its Department of Natural Resources and tribal ranch.  ##### [Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation](https://www.pbpindiantribe.com/pep) (KS) - Manages wetland restoration, a bison/rotational grazing program, and natural resource stewardship on tribal land near Mayetta, KS.  ##### [Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska](https://iowatribeofkansasandnebraska.com/culture/climate-resilience/) (KS/NE)- Runs a conservation partnership program supporting regenerative agriculture, soil health, and grassland practices on tribal land.  ##### [Ponca Tribe of Nebraska](https://poncatribe-ne.gov/services/environmental-program/) (NE) - Manages tribal land, water, and air quality, and co-manages tribal bison pastures with the local NRD and InterTribal Buffalo Council.  ##### [Standing Rock Sioux Tribe](https://www.standingrock.org/programs/department-of-environmental-regulations-and-environmental-protection-affairs-der-epa/) (ND/SD) - Conducts conservation and rangeland planning across tribal prairie lands through its Reservation Resources Department, including a community bison herd and co-stewardship of adjacent national grasslands.  ##### [White Earth Nation](https://www.whiteearth.com/divisions/natural-resources) (MN) - Manages land across three reservation biomes through its Natural Resources Division, including native prairie/grassland restoration and wildlife habitat.  ##### ##### **Educational Institutions** ##### [Haskell Indian Nations University](https://haskell.edu/) (KS) - Restores the Haskell Wetlands and adjacent tallgrass prairie through its Environmental Science program, integrating Indigenous knowledge with ecological research.  # Scientist & Researcher Partners ##### Universities, field stations, and research programs studying prairie ecology and restoration across the Temperate Prairies region, including long-term research sites and university-affiliated prairie centers.  ##### **Research Institutions & Field Stations** ##### ##### **Federal Research Programs** ##### [Grazinglands Research Lab](https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/el-reno-ok/ocparc/) (OK) - USDA research unit studying forage, grazing systems, and rangeland sustainability across Oklahoma and the Central Plains.  ##### [USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center](https://www.usgs.gov/centers/northern-prairie-wildlife-research-center) (ND) - Federal research center focused on grassland and prairie-pothole ecology, migratory birds, and habitat management.  ##### ##### **Universities & Field Stations** ##### [Konza Prairie Biological Station](https://kpbs.konza.k-state.edu/) (KS) - Field station studying tallgrass prairie fire, grazing, and climate dynamics as a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site.  ##### [Illinois Natural History Survey](https://inhs.illinois.edu/) (IL) - State scientific survey within the University of Illinois' Prairie Research Institute, researching Illinois plant and animal diversity statewide.  ##### [Tallgrass Prairie Center](https://tallgrassprairiecenter.org/) (IA) - University of Northern Iowa center dedicated to prairie restoration research, seed science, and training.  ##### [Center for Grassland Studies](https://grassland.unl.edu/) (NE) - UNL research and education center studying grasslands as a resource for livestock production, wildlife habitat, and turf.  ##### [Central Grasslands Research Extension Center](https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/research-extension-centers-recs/central-grasslands-rec) (ND) - NDSU research center studying range, forage, and grazing systems in the northern Great Plains.  ##### [Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center](https://mitppc.umn.edu/) (MN) - University of Minnesota center researching invasive species affecting the state's prairies, forests, and wetlands.  ##### ##### **Independent Research Institutes** ##### [Noble Research Institute](https://www.noble.org/) (OK) - Independent nonprofit managing 13,500 acres of working ranchland as a living lab for regenerative grassland and grazing research.  ##### ##### **Specialists** ##### [Sam Lord](https://cafnr.missouri.edu/directory/sam-lord/) (MO) - Soil ecologist at MU's Center for Agroforestry studying microbial communities and prairie/agricultural soil health. # Community-based Organizations ##### Nonprofits and grassroots groups leading hands-on prairie restoration, education, and stewardship across the Temperate Prairies region, from urban prairie restoration to native plant training programs.  ##### **Local Stewardship & Advocacy** ##### **Restoration & Education Nonprofits** ##### [Oklahoma Native Plant Society](https://oknativeplants.org/) (OK) - Statewide nonprofit promoting native plant conservation, with an active native plant/seed source directory for landscape professionals.  ##### [Native Lands Restoration Collaborative](https://www.nativelandsks.org/) (KS) - Northeast Kansas nonprofit offering community education and hands-on ecosystem restoration and native plant training.  ##### [Bridging the Gap](https://bridgingthegap.org/) (MO) - Kansas City sustainability nonprofit whose WildLands program restores 14 local urban prairies.  ##### [Deep Roots](https://deeproots.org/) (MO) - Kansas City-region nonprofit coalition promoting native plant landscaping through education, demonstration gardens, and events like the Plan It Native conference.  ##### [Iowa Native Plant Society](https://www.iowanativeplants.org/) (IA) - Iowa nonprofit promoting the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of the state's native flora.  ##### [Prairie Plains Resource Institute](https://www.prairieplains.org/) (NE) - Nebraska nonprofit restoring prairie and wetland habitat through local-ecotype seed harvesting, with 8 preserves and restoration services.  ##### [United Prairie Foundation](https://unitedprairie.org/) (ND) - North Dakota nonprofit restoring prairie and wetland habitat using locally harvested seed, paired with community education and outreach.  ##### **Advocacy Organizations** ##### [Audubon Society: Urban Woods & Prairies Initiative](https://www.audubon.org/great-plains/projects/urban-woods-and-prairies-initiative) (Great Plains) - Audubon Great Plains program restoring urban prairie and woodland habitat for birds and wildlife while engaging local communities in stewardship.  ##### [Missouri Prairie Foundation](https://moprairie.org/) (MO) - Missouri nonprofit dedicated to preserving and restoring the state's native prairie remnants and promoting native landscaping statewide.  ##### [Sierra Club](https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois) (IL) - Illinois chapter of the national conservation nonprofit, running campaigns on habitat conservation, clean water, and land protection statewide.  ##### [Nature Manitoba](https://www.naturemanitoba.ca/) (CAD) - Manitoba conservation organization whose Native Habitat Grant funds tallgrass prairie conservation projects.  ##### [Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan](https://saskpcap.org/) (CAD) - Multi-stakeholder partnership of governments, ranchers, and conservation groups coordinating native prairie and species-at-risk conservation across Saskatchewan.  # Supply Chain ##### Nurseries, seed producers, and native plant suppliers serving the Temperate Prairies region, along with restoration contractors and multi-state habitat partnerships providing prescribed burning, seeding, and invasive species control. ##### **Native Plant Sourcing & Restoration Services** ##### ##### **Directories** ##### [Grow Native!](https://grownative.org/native-plant-database/) (MO) - Missouri Prairie Foundation's professional program connecting landscape architects and buyers with regional native plant and seed sources.  ##### [Tallgrass Prairie Center – Seed and Service Providers](https://tallgrassprairiecenter.org/resources/prairie-reconstruction/seed-and-service-providers) (IA) - Tallgrass Prairie Center's directory of native seed vendors and restoration contractors operating across Iowa.  ##### ##### **Nurseries** ##### [Taylor Creek](https://www.taylorcreeknurseries.com/) (KS) - Regional wholesaler of native seed, plugs, and plants, and provider of prairie restoration design and installation services.  ##### [Forrest Keeling Nursery](https://fknursery.com/) (MO) - Missouri nursery known for native tree, shrub, and prairie plant production using its proprietary root-growing method.  ##### [Missouri Wildflowers Nursery](https://mowildflowers.net/) (MO) - Missouri-based grower specializing in regionally sourced native prairie plants and seed.  ##### [Possibility Place Nursery](https://possibilityplace.com/) (IL) - Illinois nursery growing native trees, shrubs, and prairie plants from regionally collected seed.  ##### ##### **Seed Producers** *Contact your state Natural Heritage Program or the Tallgrass Prairie Center for local-ecotype seed sourcing.* ##### [Applewood Seed](https://www.applewoodseed.com/) (Midwest/Great Plains) - Wholesale native grass and wildflower seed supplier offering region-specific mixes formulated for the Midwest and Great Plains, including Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa.  ##### [Johnston Seed Company](https://www.johnstonseed.com/) (OK) - Oklahoma seed producer offering region-specific native wildflower and grass mixes for both eastern and western parts of the state.  ##### [Hamilton Native Outpost](https://hamiltonnativeoutpost.com/) (MO) - Family-run native seed and plant company specializing in tallgrass prairie species for conservation grazing and restoration.  ##### [Stock Seed Farms](https://www.stockseed.com/) (NE) - Family-owned Nebraska native grass and wildflower seed producer serving prairie restoration projects.  ##### [Prairie Moon Nursery](https://www.prairiemoon.com/) (MN) - Mail-order native seed and plant nursery offering 700+ non-cultivar species with genetic-provenance tracking for prairie, wetland, and woodland restoration.  ##### [Prairie Originals](https://www.prairieoriginals.com/) (CAD) - Manitoba-based native prairie nursery and seed producer shipping to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  ##### ##### **Soil Amendments & Restoration Products**  ##### [MycoBloom](https://www.mycobloom.com/) (KS) - Native mycorrhizal fungi inoculants cultivated from U.S. grassland and forest strains, used to restore soil biology in restoration and native plant production sites.  ##### **Restoration & Installation Services** ##### [Pheasants Forever / Quail Forever](https://pheasantsforever.org/what-we-do/private-lands-programs/habitat-implementation-programs/) (MO, IA) - Multi-state partnership (with MDC, Iowa DNR, TNC, and Missouri Prairie Foundation) providing prescribed burning, invasive species control, and native seeding services across MO/IA grasslands.  ##### [Prairie Restorations, Inc.](https://www.prairieresto.com/) (MN) - Full-service ecological restoration contractor offering site prep, seeding, planting, prescribed burns, and invasive species removal, along with wholesale seed and plant supply for contractors and government agencies.