Welcome to Your National Grasslands!

These wind-swept seas of grass and wildflowers - four million acres in all - have witnessed the pageant of the frontier, the Dust Bowl, and the dramatic recovery into a great national treasure. Come visit the 20 publicly-owned National Grasslands administered by the USDA Forest Service.

Ecosystem Services from National Grasslands

The health and well-being of human populations depend on the services provided by ecosystems and their components: the organisms, soil, water, and nutrients. Ecosystem Services are the process by which the environment produces resources such as clean water, forage, and range; habitat for wildlife; and pollination of native and agricultural plants. The Forest Service currently administers twenty National Grasslands consisting of 3.8 million acres of public land. These grasslands are managed for a variety of purposes including forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, and recreation resources. While National Grasslands are valued for these basic goods, they also deliver other important services that are often perceived to be free and limitless.

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National Grasslands Resources

We provide information about National Grasslands policies, guidelines, and publications. The National Grasslands Primer is included on this web page.

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Lone Tree Exhibit

Across the grassland a lone tree stands as a sentinel. For some it arouses curiosity: Why does that particular tree grow at that particular spot? For others who feel vulnerable and exposed the lone tree can bring comfort to the soul and relief to the eye in the vastness of the landscape.

This exhibit is on display at the National Grasslands Visitor Center, Wall, South Dakota.

Enjoy the exhibit online »

Last modified: Monday, 05-Jan-2009 18:38:43 EST