The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place December 13 at noon will feature Laura Jackson, director and professor of biology, Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa. Jackson has taught courses in ecology, conservation and restoration ecology for 30 years at UNI while also conducting research on the restoration of biological diversity in agriculture landscapes, and the dynamics of seedling establishment in prairie reconstructions.

In the webinar, “Planning and Planting Prairie: Research and On-farm Experience,” Jackson will draw on the results of field experiments and on-farm studies conducted in collaboration with co-authors Justin Meissen, research and restoration program manager, and Andy Olson, prairie on farms manager at the Tallgrass Prairie Center, to discuss results of testing for successful seed mix design, planting date, first year mowing and seeding depth effects on the success of prairie plantings. She will also highlight the conservation, habitat and biodiversity benefits of prairie plantings. Jackson will also discuss four key ideas that have proven to work together to underpin prairie success:

1. Tiny, wildly diverse seeds
2. Seed mix design determines ecological functions
3. Success or failure is largely determined in year 1, and
4. There’s no way to go back and start over, so planning and coordination are critical

“Most Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) prairie plantings fall short of their potential to provide high quality habitat for a wide variety of animals,” said Jackson. “Successful plantings require detailed planning and the willingness to spend more than the minimum on good native seed. Our research aims to close the quality gap between what farmers can achieve on their land when compared to work conducted by prairie restoration practitioners.”

Shortly before noon CST, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtAwWXycQZW8iwtNLz34GA#/registration