CLARKSVILLE, TN – The Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI), part of Austin Peay State University’s Center of Excellence for Field Biology, is now co-leading a major effort to elevate grasslands as a national conservation priority.
SGI is among 10 conservation organizations behind the U.S. Grasslands Campaign, recently established by America’s Grasslands Coalition (AGC) to increase public understanding and support. Their work comes in response to AGC survey findings showing that 47% of Americans are unfamiliar with grasslands, one of the nation’s most essential and most threatened ecosystems.
“The Southeast is home to some of the most biodiverse grasslands in the world, yet they have often been forgotten and are under-protected,” said Dr. Dwayne Estes and Theo Witsell, SGI’s cofounders. “This research highlights the power of awareness to drive conservation and the importance of recognizing grasslands in every region.”…