State leaders, conservation partners, and landowners gathered Nov. 6 at The Ridge in Greene County to launch a major effort to restore one of Alabama’s most endangered landscapes — the Black Belt Prairie.

The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC) announced the start of the Alabama Blackbelt Prairie Initiative, a five-year restoration project supported by a $17.5 million USDA-NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant, along with additional funding from the Alabama Legislature.

Ashley Henderson, Assistant Executive Director of ALSWCC, said the launch marked a significant step toward restoring prairie lands across the region.

“Today’s launch represents more than just funding—it marks the beginning of real, on-the-ground restoration work that will strengthen both

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