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The Tallgrass Prairie Center restores native vegetation for the benefit of society and environment through research, education, and technology. |
ABOUT THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE CENTER The Tallgrass Prairie Center is a strong advocate of progressive, ecological approaches utilizing native vegetation to provide environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits for the public good. The Center is in the vanguard of roadside vegetation management, native Source Identified seed development, and prairie advocacy. The Center primarily serves the Upper Midwest Tallgrass Prairie Region and is a model for similar efforts nationally and internationally. |
HISTORY OF THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE CENTER The name was changed January 1, 2006, to more accurately reflect its mission, programs, and activities. Many of the programs are accomplished through partnerships with organizations, associations, and federal, state, and local agencies. The primary programs of the Center are the Prairie Institute, the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program, and the Iowa Ecotype Project. The Prairie Institute reflects UNI’s 30-year commitment to prairie reconstruction, restoration, management, and advocacy. The Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program (IRVM) was established in 1988 to assist Iowa counties in implementing IRVM programs utilizing native vegetation. Natural Selections (formerly the Iowa Ecotype Project, initiated in 1990) develops regionally adapted Iowa Source Identified foundation seed for commercial production. |
The Center was established at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1999 as the Native Roadside Vegetation Center. It is located on the UNI west campus and utilizes 65 acres of campus and leased land for native seed production plots.