Over the last two hundred years, 99 percent of native coastal prairies, home to over 200 species of conservation concern, have been converted to agriculture, including sugarcane, rice and cattle grazing, making this one of the rarest habitats on earth. Erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion, and invasive species have further degraded what little is left of native coastal prairie habitat.
Planting hardy native grasses on fallow, idle, and underutilized agriculture lands can increase land values, bolster diverse bio-economy markets, and increase ecological services like soil health, water quality, and habitat.
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FDC Enterprises, The Earth Partners piloted the establishment of 1,500 acres of native perennial grasses in the coastal prairie, demonstrating the economic and ecological feasibility of coastal prairie rehabilitation.