Enduring Stories Dynamic Landscapes

The Lewis and Clark Expedition on National Forests and Grasslands

Although farms have replaced most of the original native prairie, and cattle have replaced the bison on the grasslands that remain, the vastness of space and richness of life here can still be experienced in National Grasslands. In North Dakota, monochrome grasses are broken by multi-colored landforms on the Little Missouri National Grassland. On the Ft. Pierre National Grasslands in South Dakota, near where Lewis and Clark had their standoff with the Teton Sioux, you can see prairie chickens and burrowing owls. Some of the last remaining long grass prairie on public lands are on the Sheyenne National Grasslands in eastern North Dakota.

[graphic] Three pictures forming a collage; one of three antelope, another of a purple flower, and another of a herd of buffalo.

OUR NATIONAL GRASSLANDS
[graphic] A picture of a prairie dog standing up on he's two rear feet, looking out.

N ational Grasslands were originally established to demonstrate how farmers and ranchers could use the grasslands in ways that sustain both the prairie and their livelihoods. As native prairie diminishes, however, the value of these public lands for recreational use and for maintaining grassland dependent wildlife is increasing. Scientifically based resource management and nature’s ability to heal itself help the Forest Service balance human uses, so the prairie species seen by Lewis and Clark can roam the prairie into the future.

To learn more about National
Grasslands, visit
www.fs.fed.us/grasslands
[graphic] A picture of a prairie chickin standing in some grass.

O n September 2, 1806, Captain Clark wrote “the plains are tolerably leavel on each Side and very fertile. I saw 4 prarie fowls Common to the Illinois, those are the highest up which have been Seen . . . .“

On the Ft. Pierre National Grassland, the fertile mixed-grass prairie provides tall, dense nesting cover for the greater prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse.These birds nest on the prairie and winter-feed on private cropland, making this grassland nationally significant as grouse habitat. You can most easily view these birds from early April to about mid-May.
Enduring Stories Dynamic Landscapes | US Forest Service