Boots on the Ground Conservation
The Mission
Our mission is to protect, preserve, and restore native grasslands.
Locally, more than ninety-five percent of these wonderful places have been destroyed by human development. We mean to, in some small way, correct that mistake.
Our approach is to actually do the work of conservation.
As we can, we try to protect the few grasslands that remain through purchase of title or conservation easement. More frequently, we create new grasslands through the complex process of ecological restoration.
We would like to help you do the same.
We present here much of the science and engineering needed to successfully manage and restore native grasslands. There are 'rooms' and 'tools' and 'prairies' here for you to investigate. And although these objects are virtual, they are not at all imaginary.
The Library
This is a collection of books, manuals, pamphlets, and so forth, which relate to grassland conservation. Like a real library it's organized into aisles of bookcases, which have bookshelves, which contain books.
For example, in the 'Conservation Science' aisle you might find a 'Grassland Birds' shelf which has a book about the bobolink. You can enter the library by clicking the 'Library' button at the upper left.
The Gallery
This is a collection of photographs, maps, drawing, and so forth, which relate to grassland conservation. Like an art museum it's organized into galleries, which have exhibits, which contain albums.
For example, in the 'Places Gallery' you might find a 'Prairie' exhibit which has an album of photographs of Bluebird Prairie. You can enter the gallery by clicking on the 'Gallery' button at the upper left.
The Newsroom
This is a collection of articles from newspapers, journals, newletters, and so forth, which relate to grassland conservation. They are presented as a simple list with the newest articles first.
For example, you might find an article about a new government conservation program. Older articles dissappear in time unless they are added by someone to the library. You can enter the newsroom by clicking on the 'Newsroom' button at the upper left.
The Directory
This is three different collections of information which relate to grassland conservation. You can go to the directory by clicking on the 'Directory. . .' button at the upper left. The '...' means that this button will expand.
The first part of the directory is a collection of folders. These folders contain documents, graphics, spreadsheets, and so forth, just like on your computer. You can open a file manager (like Windows Explorer) by clicking the 'Folders' button under 'Directory'. Access of the file manager is limited to a few registered users so you may not see this button.
The Journal
This is a collection of notes, messages, questions, and so forth, posted by the registered users of this site. They are presented as a simple list with the newest entry first. Since this information can be more personal, access to the journal is limited to registered users. If you're not logged in, you will not see this button.
Actually, what you're reading is just a special set of journal entries which have been selected to appear on this 'front page'.
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There are other resources here to learn about grasslands. And there will be more in the near future. So we encourage you to wander around and see what you can find.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, click on the 'Contact NIPE' button in the upper right to send us an email. If you're a TPE member or have material to add to this site, you can request to have your own account.
Enjoy.
