Grassland habitats across the United States have been on a sharp decline over the past 30 years, with some researchers suggesting a loss of nearly 62% of historic native ecosystems as of 2023. To combat this, a Clarksville, Tennessee organization is working to hopefully halt the rapid rate of biodiversity loss across the south.
Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute focuses on the identification, preservation, and restoration of native grassland ecosystems. The organization recently announced one of its largest projects in its history. The $10 million project will focus on the conservation of around 2,500 acres of native grassland throughout middle Tennessee.
Gus Rasich is SGI’s Native Seed Collections Program Manager, and oversees the collection and management of native seeds for the organization’s various projects like the one announced in late February. He recently led a group of volunteers as they prepared incoming seeds from the surrounding region for storage in SGI’s native seed bank, where Rasich said they won’t stay long…