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SDSU Brookings Campus Weather Related Announcement

The South Dakota State University campus will be closing from 5 p.m. on Friday, March 31 until 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, due to the Blizzard Warning that will go into effect 7 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. on Saturday morning.  SDSU will then return to the normal weekend schedule on Saturday morning. Only essential employees as deemed by their supervisors will report to work during the closure hours. On Friday morning, ensure you continue to monitor the weather and work with your supervisor or instructor on your individual travel concerns. For additional closure information please check the Emergency Management website

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Native Plant Initiative

About the Native Plant Initiative

Historically, native grasses and forbs (wildflowers) were abundant across the Northern Great Plains. Native plants are the foundation that supports insects, pollinators (including bees), birds and wildlife. Loss of grasslands and invasive plants began to emerge as problems in the 1800s. Initially, managing vegetation was simply removing occasional invasive plants from a background of native plants. However, now our grasslands are so heavily impacted that management can be envisioned as restoring native plants in a background of invasive species. Further, so few grasslands remain that we need to maximize the biodiversity of native plants in every area possible. These areas include private and public lands such as grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, farms, ranches, parks, yards and urban areas.

This new reality requires a more thorough understanding of native plant restoration and production than currently exists for native plants in the Northern Great Plains.

The Native Plant Initiative is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM), the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Sciences (AHPS) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). This Initiative is led by Dr. Lora Perkins in the Department of Natural Resource Management.

Mission

To support the use of native plants in private and public lands in the Northern Great Plains through research, education and outreach

Vision

  • Abundant and diverse native plants providing ecosystem services and natural heritage throughout the Northern Great Plains
  • Engaged stakeholders, excited collaborators and an educated public involved in expanding native plant use region-wide
  • Vibrant and profitable native plant material production, distribution and trade supporting the expanded use of native plants region-wide 

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