I just returned from attending the 21st North American Prairie Conference in Winona, MN. The NAPC is the Super Bowl™ for prairie ecologists. I had a great time visiting with fellow colleagues, attending many presentations on restoration techniques, learning about Winona and studying some high quality prairies and supper clubs around the Mississippi River. I also had the great opportunity to listen to Wes Jackson speak and Immortal River author, Dr. Calvin Fremling signed my book.
My take home points from the conference are as follows:
- Jevons Parodox is something I need to learn more about
- Parasitic plants such as Pedicularis canadensis will be an increasingly useful tool in restorations
- ‘Sumac’ received its name from ‘Shoemack’ as its tannins were used for tanning shoe leather
- Climate change is a very secret topic within high government ranks
- Diverse prairies offer the highest biomass yields of any alternative energy form
- Amorpha canescens will stay in one place for many decades
Wes Jackson’s keynote address on Friday was very inspiring. He talked of a future agriculture based on perennial plants of native origin. He dubbed this ”Perennial PrairieCulture.” He maintains a vision that by 2050 the current agricultural processes will be replaced by ones of sustainability. For that reason he stated, “Prairie restoration is one of the most important endeavours that a man can be engaged in.” Preaching to the choir certainly, preaching to humanity hopefully…
The 22nd North American Prairie Conference is to be held in 2010 at Cedar Falls, IA.
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