In the Weeds: May 2007

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters annually complete over 23,000 habitat projects. "In the Weeds" takes a closer look at these chapter projects. This month, we profile a habitat and education project in Nebraska.

The Players

• Cornhusker Chapter of Pheasants Forever in Lincoln, Nebraska
• Norris High School (Nebraska) FFA Chapter
• Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC)

The Plan

A first-of-its kind project. Pheasants Forever and the Norris High School FFA chapter plant and manage an educational prairie on school property.

The Project

Last fall, Norris High School FFA students used tractors to mow smooth bromegrass that dominated the field. The mowed grass was then sprayed with a herbicide to kill it.

FFA members joined NGPC staff members in harvesting the seeds of compass plant and other wildflowers from other prairies and did additional work preparing the ground for planting.

Biologists with Pheasants Forever and NGPC helped determine the mix of native grasses, forbs and wildflowers to be planted. They came up with a plan to plant 12 different grasses and 40 different forbs.

This April, FFA members, some using tractors from their family farms, planted the seed using no-till drills.

The Payoff

The 65-acre prairie will have examples of shortgrass, mixed-grass and tallgrass prairies. The planted buffer strips are designed to grow bobwhite quail habitat. Special plots of prairie grass to demonstrate the raw material for cellulosic ethanol, the alcohol-based fuel made from carbohydrates found in plant cell walls. The prairie will serve as a natural classroom where students can learn about agriculture, natural history and a conservation ethic.

If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.

Return to On The Wing: May 2007

"On The Wing" Archive

• On the Wing: June 2009
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• On the Wing: December 2007
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