Mike Moddrell’s commitment to restoring a 320-acre piece of land in southwest Douglas County has transformed it from a neglected plot into a thriving tallgrass prairie. His efforts, spanning over 20 years, have not only revived native grasses but also helped preserve a crucial part of Kansas’ ecological heritage.
Moddrell’s work is a testament to the power of controlled fire and careful land management. When he purchased the land in 2002, it was in rough shape, overrun by invasive species. The prairie, which once flourished with an abundance of wildlife, had been pushed to the brink by years of neglect. Today, the land is a vibrant example of how consistent care and a return to traditional practices can help heal the land.
The Role of Fire in Prairie Restoration
One of the key components of Moddrell’s restoration strategy is fire. Each year, he sets fire to the prairie in late winter. The previous year’s dried brush provides the necessary fuel for the fire, which burns through the invasive species and clears the land. The fire doesn’t just get rid of unwanted plants; it also helps native grasses to regrow and thrive.
“Fire is a critical tool,” Moddrell explains. “If you have a good hot fire, it’ll kill out the invasive species. It’s much more effective than using chemicals.” This controlled burn technique has been used for centuries, long before Moddrell took ownership of the land. Indigenous people had been using fire to manage the prairie for thousands of years, ensuring that it remained healthy and diverse.
How Fire Shapes Grasslands
The role of fire in maintaining grasslands goes beyond just managing invasive species. Prairie ecosystems have evolved with fire, and many native plants and animals depend on it for survival. Certain grass species need the heat of a fire to trigger their growth cycle, while many wildflowers only bloom after being scorched by fire.
Without fire, invasive plants like eastern red cedar and Callery pear can take over the land, crowding out native species. These invasive plants thrive in areas where fire suppression is common, which is why Moddrell’s annual burning is essential to the health of the prairie.
The importance of fire is not lost on ecologists like Chris Helzer, the director of science and stewardship at the Nature Conservancy of Nebraska. He explains, “Prairies developed in large part because of people. The use of fire was a big piece of that.” Fire, along with strategic hunting and land management, helped indigenous people shape the prairies that now define much of the Great Plains.
The Challenges of Restoration
While fire plays a significant role in restoring the prairie, it’s not without its challenges. Moddrell’s land is also home to non-native species like Chinese bush clover and old world bluestem, which require the use of herbicides to control. The use of chemicals is controversial among some landowners and conservationists, but Moddrell sees it as a necessary evil.
“Some people are anti-chemical,” he admits. “But without chemicals, you would just lose the whole thing.” The herbicides help to limit the spread of invasive plants, but they also reduce the diversity of wildflowers. For Moddrell, it’s a trade-off he’s willing to make to preserve the prairie’s health.
Despite the challenges, Moddrell’s efforts have yielded impressive results. The land is home to a wide variety of native grasses and wildflowers, and it has become a haven for local wildlife. The transformation of the prairie has not only benefited the environment but has also inspired others in the area to consider similar restoration projects.
The Need for Prairie Conservation
Kansas has lost over 96% of its native tallgrass prairie, making efforts like Moddrell’s even more crucial. The conversion of prairie land to farmland and the encroachment of urban development have reduced the once-vast grasslands to a fraction of their former size.
Conservationists like Helzer argue that maintaining and restoring these prairies is vital for biodiversity. “The prairie is one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth,” he says. “We need to protect what’s left, and people like Mike are doing that.”
The work being done by landowners like Moddrell is a model for the kind of restoration that needs to happen across the Great Plains. As prairie habitats continue to shrink, efforts to restore what remains are becoming increasingly important.
The Future of the Prairie
Looking ahead, Moddrell plans to continue his work, but he knows it’s an ongoing process. “It’s not something that happens overnight,” he says. “It takes patience, but it’s worth it.” His dedication is helping to preserve a small piece of the prairie, a rare and disappearing ecosystem that is vital to the region’s wildlife and biodiversity.
In an age where human activity is often seen as a destructive force in nature, Moddrell’s story is a hopeful reminder that with care, attention, and the right tools, it’s still possible to restore and protect the land.
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