Sandhills a resilient ecosystem

Barb Bierman Batie
Jan 21, 2025
Jan 21, 2025

Sandhills grazing PIC 0124bb — Research shows the Nebraska Sandhills are quite resilient to whatever Mother Nature throws at them - fire, drought or wind - as long as the layer of roots established by the grasses there are not disturbed.
Midwest Messenger photo by Barb Bierman Batie

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The Nebraska Sandhills are the largest dune field in the Western Hemisphere. They have been relatively undisturbed and nearly all are privately owned.

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Barb Bierman Batie grew up near Battle Creek, Nebraska, and now farms row crops with her Platte Valley Farmer, Don Batie, northeast of Lexington. She has written for local, state, regional and international publications. She joined the Midwest Messenger crew in 2010. She can be reached at barb.batie@gmail.com.