The tallgrass prairie ecosystem, unique to North America, is an important part of our natural heritage.
Only 1% of the original tallgrass prairie remains. With 99% of prairies gone, they are more rare than rainforests.
Because so little of this native habitat remains, many prairie species are rare or endangered.
Prairie plants possess great indigenous and aesthetic value, and many have important medicinal, economic, or climate-fighting uses.
Tallgrass prairies are biodiverse ecosystems. Their rich soils - supported by abundant deep-rooted forbs (flowers) and grasses - provide essential habitat for numerous plant and animal species, such as birds, pollinators, and mammals.
Millions of bison - commonly known as buffalo - used to roam the prairie; they are America's largest land mammals.