2017 Annual Report 33
N E B R A S K A O A K W O O D L A N D A L L I A N C E
C O N S E R V A T I O N E F F O R T S
Eastern Nebraska oak woodlands and savannas are among our state's
most threatened ecosystems. Only 20,000 to 30,000 acres of quality oak
woodlands remain in our state. These are found primarily within the valleys
of the Missouri River and its lower tributaries. These woodlands are critical
habitat for many wildlife species, such as woodpeckers and the southern
fl ying squirrel, and plant species, such as orchids and the Iowa crabapple.
Remnant woodlands are being degraded by lack of fi re, proliferation of
shade-tolerant shrubs and trees, exotic herbaceous plant invasion and
lack of oak regeneration. In 2014, Nebraska's conservation agencies
formed the Nebraska Oak Woodland Alliance (NOWA), with the mission
is to work cooperatively to enhance our state's oak woodlands. In 2014,
NOWA received a $495,000 Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) grant for
oak woodland management on private and conservation lands in eastern
Nebraska.
