A Seed Is Planted - a Prairie is Born -- Sakakawea State Park, Pike City ND USA - Flora and Fauna Information Signs on Waymarking.com

"A SEED IS PLANTED – A PRAIRIE IS BORN
Actually, you can’t create a prairie overnight; it’s an evolving process. But first you must plant the seed . . .

In 2002 Park staff did just that. Using a seeder, they distributed 60 pounds of native seed mix, including four grasses and five flower species. In addition, seeds of more than 25 native wildflowers were hand collected and sown to create this natural prairie.

Hidden below the weed canopy, however, are seedlings of the slower-developing prairie plants. By the third year, prairie grasses and wildflowers begin to outcompete and replace the weedy species. Some perennial plants, such as Purple Cone Flower are slow to germinate and grow, and might not show up for five or 10 years.

Mowing once the first year helps reduce competition for sunlight and speeds the development of certain prairie plants. Once established, the Prairie is managed with a combination of prescribed fire and mowing.

Prairie restoration is an important conservation tool and North Dakota state parks. The planted prairies provide plant and animal habitat, soil protection and recreational opportunities.

And those involved in planting new prairies - including Park staff, visitors and volunteers - take great pleasure in knowing they helped re-create a disappearing landscape.

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Purple Cone Flower Echinacea angustfolia

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site prepared for no-till planting in the summer of 2002

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Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata

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Blue Flax
Linum perenne v. lewisii"

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Date Logged Log User Rating   02/18/2023 Benchmark Blasterz visited it