THE PRAIRIE BUILDERS

Butterflies, buffalo, coneflowers, grasses and more once flourished on the Iowa tallgrass prairie, but soon gave way to farms and towns until little of the prairie remained. In 1960, Iowa Congressman Neal Smith, working with conservationists, determined to save the unique ecosystem by purchasing 2,500 acres of farmland and reconstructing a tallgrass prairie to serve as a nature preserve and teaching center. This title documents the efforts of volunteers, community activists and dozens of field scientists working together to resurrect just such a prairie in Iowa, and reintroduce native plants and animals like prairie violet, upland sandpipers and Regal Fritillary butterfly. The author uses interviews with working scientists to give a human face to agronomists, biologists, botanists and more. Striking photographs on every page capture the drama, excitement and beauty of the prairie. A welcome addition to the Scientists in the Field series. (further readings, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)