38 2024 Annual Report
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Conservation
Working to preserve Nebraska's grassland ecosystems
In 2024, we continued work to preserve Nebraska's native, intact grasslands through our Prairie Grasslands
Coalition. Acknowledging the degradation of these vital habitats, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
and partners are working to preserve prairie lands, which are crucial for supporting a myriad of wildlife
species and maintaining biodiversity.
We collaborated with partners, ranchers and local conservationists in 15 counties, and shared information
on sustainable grazing practices and native seed planting projects that cross thousands of acres. These
collective eff orts are helping to rejuvenate native fl ora but have also improved soil health, increased carbon
sequestration, and provide a haven for diverse species of insects, birds, and mammals.
Eighteen projects were completed on 14,337 acres in the eastern Sandhills, and 12 more further west were
completed on 14,520 acres. America the Beautiful Challenge grant funds also were used on an additional 32
projects and 25,074 acres in 2024.
These eff orts benefi t wildlife, including the iconic prairie chicken and grassland birds, but also build better
incomes and sustainability for livestock producers. These partnerships highlight the transformative power
of collaborative conservation eff orts and reinforces our commitment to protecting Nebraska's ecological
heritage — and they'll continue in 2025.
A female swift fox keeps
a watchful eye on her
surroundings as her pups play
near their den in the Panhandle
Prairies — a Biologically Unique
Landscape.
