Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands (Scientists in the Field Series) [Paperback]

Sneed B. Collard III (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2008 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Scientists in the Field Series

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 4-8–Collard chronicles the prairie restoration project at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. His explanation of the complexities of returning farmland to tallgrass prairie incorporates information about the prairie ecosystem and accounts of the work of scientists and volunteers. Among the projects he describes are the locating and collecting of seeds of surviving native plants, managing controlled burns, reintroducing bison, and building a population of Regal Fritillary butterflies. The author celebrates the successes without minimizing the hard work and patience required. He encourages and challenges readers to become ecologically involved in projects such as the butterfly garden developed at an Illinois school and featured in the book's final pages. The engaging text is accompanied by large, inviting color photographs. The suggested readings and Web sites supply additional information about prairies in general and this project in particular. An essential purchase for libraries in prairie regions and a worthwhile choice for others.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. In 1989 Congress passed a law setting aside thousands of acres of Iowa cornfields as a National Wildlife Refuge, despite the fact that there was little wildlife there. Determined to re-create the tallgrass prairie that once covered large portions of the Midwest, naturalists and volunteers began the long process of bringing back the plants and animals that were native to the area. This wide-format book documents the restoration of the prairie ecosystem at the new refuge. Collard follows the project over a number of years, discussing everything from the reintroduction of bison to the annual Sow Your Wild Oats Day. He spotlights two particular aspects of the project: the ongoing challenge of finding and encouraging the growth of appropriate plants and the reintroduction of the regal fritillary butterfly. Through the book's clearly written text and many excellent color photos, children will learn not only about this particular prairie project but also about the history of America's tallgrass prairies and the complex web of plants and animals in a particular ecosystem. The well-researched, beautifully designed volume concludes with a glossary and lists of recommended books and Internet sites. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (August 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547014414
• ISBN-13: 978-0547014418
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 11 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Environment

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bringing back butterflies and bison, February 23, 2006

By 

HenderHouse (Libertyville, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands (Scientists in the Field Series) (Hardcover)

Who knew how strong the connection was between delicate Regal Fritillary butterflies and giant buffalo? Biologist Pauline Drobny, Iowa congressman Neal Smith and others who helped rebuild 8,000 acres of tallgrass prairie knew. Collard walks us through the process from gathering seeds found in nature to seeding the prairie with caterpillars, demonstrating the connectedness of all elements in our ecosystem. Lots of color photos clearly illustrate the beauty and majesty of the nearly extinct tallgrass prairie. 2006 ALA Notable Book

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing Children to Saving the Prairies, May 22, 2006

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands (Scientists in the Field Series) (Hardcover)

"The book has received excellent reviews and was chosen by Science Books and Films as an outstanding science book for 2005. Prior to the first part of the twentieth century, bison and elk roamed among the tallgrass prairie that covered America's heartland. The prairie was replaced by farmland as the Midwest became America's "bread basket." The beautiful photographs and engaging text in this book for children ages 10 to 14, tell the story of efforts to bring back an area of native tallgrass prairie in Iowa at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge." (summary by South Texas Library System)