Project Profile: Increase Native Seed Capacity to Support Intermountain Region Shortgrass Prairie Restoration

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY24: $750,000

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.

NPS Photo

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY24 $750,000

The National Park Service (NPS) will use the latest science-based information available to restore shortgrass prairie in Aztec Ruins National Monument, Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park, and Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. The project will enhance resilience and improve habitat connectivity, pollinator and wildlife (including threatened and endangered species) habitat, soil productivity, and hydrologic function. The shortgrass prairies will be treated for invasive plants and native seed will be planted to protect restoration sites.

Why? The shortgrass prairie ecosystems are threatened by potential development, climate change, fire, and invasive species. They have seen massive declines across the western U.S. largely due to the expansion of agriculture. This project will help mitigate these threats, restore degraded land, and foster a healthy ecosystem to benefit people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

What Else? The project activities will engage youth through education, volunteer, and employment opportunities. Additionally, the NPS will be converting a portion of former agriculture fields to native plant fields which generates critically needed plant material for restoration at a low cost.

About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of out nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.