Synopses & Reviews
Barely a century ago a vast tallgrass prairie covered Americaand#8217;s heartland. Bison, elk, coyotes, and bear roamed this wilderness. Hundreds of species of prairie plants supported an explosion of birds and insects, including hundreds of kinds of butterflies. By the early part of the twentieth century, however, the tallgrass prairie was gone, its rich soils converted to farms to feed a growing world population.
Here, author Sneed B. Collard III tells the remarkable story of an effort to bring back part of the native tallgrass prairie. By following scientists who are working on the 8,000-acre Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa, readers will learn where the vision for a new prairie came from and how a dedicated group of scientists and volunteers is working to turn this vision into reality, from locating seeds of native prairie plants to using fire to drive out weeds to and#147;bringing homeand#8221; bison, elk, and one of the prairieand#8217;s most spectacular butterflies, the Regal Fritillary.
Review
"Excellent photographs prominently feature the scientists at work (predominantly women and people of color in scientific roles) as well as the . . . sweeping vistas of the prairie in midsummer."
Review
"The engaging text is accompanied by large, inviting color photographs. . . . An essential purchase for libraries in prairie regions and a worthwhile choice for others." -- School Library Journal, starred
Review
"This wide-format book documents the restoration of the prairie ecosystem at the new refuge. . . . Through the bookand#8217;s clearly written text and many excellent color photos, readers will learn not only about this particular prairie project but also about the history of Americaand#8217;s tallgrass prairies and the complex web of plants and animals in a particular ecosystem." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"Excellent photographs prominently feature the scientists at work (predominantly women and people of color in scientific roles) as well as the . . . sweeping vistas of the prairie in midsummer." Horn Book, Starred
"The engaging text is accompanied by large, inviting color photographs. . . . An essential purchase for libraries in prairie regions and a worthwhile choice for others." -- School Library Journal, starred School Library Journal, Starred
Synopsis
Sneed B. Collard III profiles Pauline Drobney and her crew as they struggle to rebuild a tallgrass prairie in central Iowa. From setting fires to rejuvenate the landscape, to searching for native seeds, to tracking down the elusive Regal Fritillary with Dr. Diane Debinsky, the story of rebuilding and regenerating the prairie landscape is a compelling and inspiring one.
About the Author
Sneed B. Collard III has written more than fifty books for young people. To research and photograph The Prairie Builders, he spent two weeks in Iowa, interviewing scientists and accompanying them into the field. Sneed lives in Missoula, Montana.