NEBRASKA SANDHILLS ECOSYSTEM

PROJECT AREA DESCRIPTION In small areas within the ecosystem as The dunes which form Nebraska’s well as in areas adjacent to the ecosystem, Sandhills were created by wind-blown row crop agriculture has presented a sands. These sands are now held in place stress also. In addition to the drainage of by mixed grass prairie vegetation. The wetlands, it has led to desertification as a ground water table beneath the dunes is result of exposure of bare soil. However, very high. Groundwater dis charge gives in some areas, irrigation has led to Location: rise to spring-fed streams and various creation of wet areas, through pumping of North-central types of wetlands (1.3 million acres in groundwater to the surface Ground water Nebraska total) in the valleys between the dunes. has been polluted with nutrients and Deciduous trees, such as willows and herbicides. cottonwoods, can be found along some of the streams. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project size: In recognition of the uniqueness of the 12.5 million acres Twelve federally-listed threatened and ecosystem, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife endangered species can be found in this Service (FWS) drafted a program in 1980 ecosystem. Some examples include Hay- designed to purchase easements on the den’s penstemon, the prairie-fringed wetlands to protect them from drainage. Initiator: orchid, and American burrowing beetle. After vehement opposition of local U.S. Fish & In addition, six state-listed species occur landowners, the plan was discontinued. Wildlife Service here, four of which are fish living in the In 1990 a different approach was taken, spring-fed streams. Currently, over 95% when a Sandhills coordinator was hired of the Sandhills is covered by native whose main task was to develop a grassland. The lands are primarily in program with the support of the private ownership and used for grazing. landowners. As a result, the Sandhills In addition, limited row crop agriculture Task Force was formed. The majority of takes place. However, due to the poor, its members are local landowners, many of sandy soils, crop agriculture has not been whom were selected by locally active successful in the past. organizations such as the Nebraska Cattlemen, Upper Loup Natural Resources ECOSYSTEM STRESSES District, and the Nebraska Association of In order to maintain a year-round ranching County Officials. operation, cattle need to be fed hay during the winter. Wetland areas are capable of After much initial distrust between the producing much of this hay. To allow its landowners and agency representatives, cutting, ranchers drained many wetlands, participants discovered commonalities starting in the early 1900s. As the between landowner and wildlife needs. wetlands were drained, their buffering Subsequently, the Task Force has function was lost. Water that used to be developed into a team of people who trust absorbed by wetlands ended up in and respect each other, and who make streams. As a result, stream bed erosion decisions by consensus. The Task Force accelerated and the ground water table generated a Management Plan, lowered. This has led to a subsequent thinning of vegetation, and, in turn, to a higher susceptibility to soil erosion.

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NEBRASKA SANDHILLS ECOSYSTEM -- continued which, after incorporation of public Management Plan states that land project has been invaluable. comments, was signed in acquisition would only "be a last Support of elected officials has September 1993. The Plan has alternative to ensure that unique also been beneficial. been implemented since then. The ecosystems will remain." Task Force members decided to re- Obstacles to Progress main active as a group to help carry PRESENT STATUS & Currently, work carried out by out the objectives of the Plan. In OUTLOOK agencies such as the Natural January 1995, Task Force The new management approach Resources Conservation Service, membership was extended to a has already proven fruitful. the Nebraska Game and Parks representative of The Nature Successful projects have been Commission, and the FWS is co- Conservancy. completed throughout the region. ordinated by the Sandhills coord- Not only are wetlands being inator. Unfortunately, the coord- The overall goal of the Plan is "to restored, but the relationship inator does not have any staff, enhance the sandhill wetland- between local landowners and which is sorely needed. Funding is grassland ecosystem in a way that FWS has greatly improved. lacking for additional positions. In sustains profitable private Congressional support was voiced addition, future local opposition is ranching, wildlife and vegetative to the Secretary of the Interior anticipated, for instance, if the diversity, and associated water commending this program. In Task Force should support land supplies." In order to reach that addition, the management plan has acquisition by The Nature goal, a variety of strategies is gained the support of non- Conservancy. employed. Since implementation governmental organizations, Contact information: started, several educational agencies, and governor. This has projects have been organized, e.g., encouraged others to participate. Mr. Gene Mack a two-day work shop concerning Sandhills Coordinator ranching and environmental issues. Factors Facilitating Progress U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Another strategy involves the Open communication and the Kearney Field Office provision of technical assistance to discovery of common ground PO Box 1686 land owners in wetland restoration between landowners and FWS has Kearney, NE 68848 and erosion control. The Plan also greatly benefited the project. The (308) 236-5015 recommends land acquisition or involvement and support of local Fax: (308) 237-3899 land easements if deemed appro- landowners from the onset of the priate. However, the Sandhills

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