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Go Wild with Wildflowers!! |
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 Importance
of plants
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 Black-eyed Susan Before the turn of the 20th century, eighty-five percent of Iowa's land was covered by prairie. Pioneers traveling through the state saw a wide range of colorful native plants. Over the years that followed, the land was developed and prairie grasses and wildflowers plowed under. Today, the Iowa Department of Transportation is helping reintroduce these native plants along the state’s roadways and reacquaint travelers with Iowa's prairie heritage. Grasses and wildflowers of Iowa's original prairie landscape are well adapted for use in roadsides. They provide the best low-maintenance weed and erosion control, add to the beauty of the landscape and provide habitat for wildlife. As you travel across Iowa this year, take a few minutes to look around and enjoy the many plantings of native grasses and wildflowers along the roadsides. As an Enviro-Explorer, there is a lot you can do to help bring back the lost prairies to Iowa. Follow the links on this page to learn more about native plants, their importance to our environment, and how you can get a free packet of wildflower seeds to start your own prairie patch. |
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