US university works to protect prairie

Published on Sep 15, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish

Since white settlers arrived in the American heartland of Nebraska in the 19th century, less than one per cent of the original tall grass prairie has survived an onslaught of plowing and grazing.

The prairie is home to some rare species endangered birds, flowers, and butterflies, that do not flourish anywhere else.

Nebraska’s Nine-Mile Prairie was preserved by the Cold War, its borders which were once nuclear weapon bunkers.

The prairie is now preserved by the University of Nebraska.

Al Jazeera’s John Hendren reports from Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Tags: biodiversity, habitats