Native Grasses: Not just for the birds

With the loss of agricultural lands and the planting of cool season grasses for landscaping and reclamation, the last century in Pennsylvania has been one of dramatic decline in native warm season grasses. As their name indicates, warm season grasses grow when the ambient air and soil temperature is consistently above 70 degrees. Because of their inability to compete with their cool season counterparts, cool season grasses have steadily replaced warm season grasses across the state of Pennsylvania. Although more easily managed, cool season grasses are not always the most beneficial, especially when considering the needs of our state's wildlife populations. Their lack of diversity, low height and denseness provides little to no cover for species of animals that depend on native grasslands for cover, nesting and food. Once abundant, species like the grasshopper sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum) have experienced a significant decline in the eastern United States due primarily to lack of habitat.

Thanks to efforts made by private landowners, Pennsylvania Game Commission, California University of Pennsylvania, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and other conservation partners, warm season grasses once again dot the landscape. It is the hope of all of these organizations that we will begin to see an increase in wildlife, its habitat and the overall environment thanks, in part, to these efforts.

Today's photo of a switchgrass field in Fairfield Township was taken in mid summer by Monona Farms.

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