By Scout Nelson
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, has released a new foundational report focused on the conservation of Kansas grasslands. The report highlights why grasslands are essential to the state and identifies clear steps to protect them for the future.
The Kansas Grasslands Issue Brief was developed through a joint effort supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The project aimed to identify actions that can encourage and support the conservation of working grasslands across Kansas. As part of this effort, discussions were held across the state, and a public survey was conducted to gather feedback.
Input from ranchers, landowners, and other Kansans was reviewed and compiled into the final Issue Brief. This document has been shared with project participants and is now available on the Kansas Department of Agriculture website.
Kansas is home to more than 15 million acres of native grasslands. These lands provide many ecological benefits and play a vital role in supporting grazing systems for cattle. Grasslands are closely tied to the beef industry, which is the largest agricultural industry in the state and contributes significantly to Kansas’s economy.
The Issue Brief outlines practical and actionable steps to keep grasslands healthy and productive. It also serves as an educational resource, helping the public understand why working grasslands matter and how conservation efforts can benefit both the environment and the economy.
To ensure accuracy and strong science, the report was reviewed by a technical team of researchers. It was also informed and reviewed by individuals with hands-on experience in grassland management to ensure it reflects real world conditions.
“This Issue Brief will be an important resource to make sure we can continue to help ranchers and landowners with their work to ensure the long-term sustainability of rangelands,” said Dan Meyerhoff, executive director of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts. “It is a great example of what can happen when ranchers, researchers, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations come together to pursue long-term change.”
Project partners encourage all Kansans to read the report and learn how grasslands can remain productive and valuable for generations. The Issue Brief and related materials are available at www.agriculture.ks.gov/grasslands.
Photo Credit: pexels-jeffrey-czum
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Sustainable Agriculture