Grassland Management

Prairies were once widespread in southern Michigan until the 1800s when European settlers converted this ecosystem to agricultural land. Experimental patches of prairie grasses were started at BRV in 1994, and today the foundation has about 200 acres of prairie land, with about 100 different species of grasses and flowering plants.

Prairie restoration

Maintaining BRV’s biodiversity calls for a number of habitat enhancement initiatives. Among these is the restoration of prairies, which were once widespread in southern Michigan until the 1800s when European settlers converted this ecosystem to agricultural land.

Experimental patches of prairie grasses were started at BRV in 1994, and today the foundation has about 200 acres of prairie land, with about 100 different species of grasses and flowering plants.

“Prairie grass provides important food and cover for wildlife, including many grassland birds,” points out Jay Suseland, manager of grounds maintenance. “The wildflowers that flourish in prairies also serve as a food source for insects, which provide food for other species using the habitat.

Strips of prairie grass have also been planted on the perimeter of crop fields at BRV, creating corridors that connect multiple habitats and enable wildlife to more easily emigrate from one area to another

Maintaining BRV’s biodiversity calls for a number of habitat enhancement initiatives. One of these is the restoration of prairies, which were once widespread in southern Michigan until European settlers in the 1800s converted this original ecosystem to agricultural land.

Reviving cropland with prairie grass

Cropland management, such as no-till cultivation practices, help increase water in the soil and decrease erosion.

Savannas

The foundation’s environmental team is currently developing savannas in four areas of BRV.

Prescribed burns

Savannas and prairies are fire-dependent habitats; without regular burning they revert back to woodlands.