Northern Tallgrass Prairie

The northern tall grass prairie ecoregion extends from south-central Manitoba along the Red River Valley, southward to central Iowa. As suggested by its name, the ecoregion was historically dominated by tall grass prairie. Although highly variable in composition, northern tall grass prairie is dominated by Big Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed and Porcupine Needlegrass, with other important species, including Indian-grass and Soft-leaf Muhly.

Also included in the ecoregion is an area of tall grass Aspen parkland, a mosaic of prairie, wet prairie, wetlands, brush prairie and Aspen-oak parkland. Aspen-oak parkland is dominated by trembling Aspen with scattered Bur Oak, with woodlands occurring in areas of increased fire protection. The northern tall grass prairie has been radically transformed since European settlement: what was formerly grassland is now largely an agricultural landscape. Woodland acreage has increased appreciably due to fire suppression, extirpation of Bison, and human occupancy. The region is home to a rich variety of bird species, including Prairie Chickens, Sedge Wrens and Yellow Rails.

More than 75% of the natural habitat in this ecoregion is gone. Most of this loss is due to a high rate of conversion to agriculture.

The Nature Conservancy, Nature Conservancy of Canada and other partners have worked together to develop a conservation blueprint for the northern tall grass prairie.