It seems appropriate for Valentine’s Day to think about what it means to love. According to conservationist Baba Dioum, “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” Temperate grasslands continue to be the least protected ecosystem on earth, so how do we help people love them, understand their importance, and learn about what makes them special?
American Prairie Reserve’s approach is not limited to purchasing habitat to conserve land — our model also includes public access and recreation, educational activities and materials, and creating economic opportunities for the people living around our boundaries. We think that’s love.
But there’s competition for affection. In Montana, a state with many mountainous and forested natural treasures, we often hear that it’s more difficult to love the prairie. Naturally we disagree. This is a place of wonder and delight. Rocky cliffs lead to rolling sagelands. Creeks meander through canyons where bison rest beneath the cottonwood trees. With nothing between you and the elements, the prairie is a powerful landscape characterized by diversity and extremes, including its wide-open skies.
Our valentine to you is an opportunity to reconnect with a place that is as rugged as it is uplifting – we hope you enjoy this new video and share your love of prairies with your friends and family.
