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Roadside Native Plantings
Iowa, prior to European settlement, was one big prairie. Since then, row crop agriculture and to turf, have replaced this deep-rooted vegetated cover. An revival of the prairie is underway in Iowa with roadside plantings. Roadsides provide a great opportunity for reintroducing native vegetation. Prime land include the 175,000 acres of raod right-of-way managed by Iowa DOT as well as 500,000 acres of additional right-of-way along county roads.
Since 1989 Iowa DOT’s Living Roadway Trust Fund has provided valuable support funding public education, research and technology transfer promoting the use of native vegetation in Iowa’s roadsides. The fund also pays for native seed and equipment necessary for establishing and maintaining roadside prairie reconstructions. The DOT/DNR Roadside Planting Program focuses on planting trees and shrubs along interstates and primary highways. Iowa DOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program also provides funding for native seed. More than 80 counties have taken advantage of this funding. About 40 counties employ roadside managers as vegetation specialists overseeing their county’s effort. The Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program, located at UNI, works with County Roadside Managers to help promote the use of native species in county roadsides.
Converting road rights-of-way to native plantings helps reduce mowing and use of pesticides. Additional long-term cost savings are anticipated from the use of native plants as very durable, long-lived perennials that are naturally adapted to local growing conditions. Other benefits of native vegetation include enhanced bio-diversity, increased infiltration of stormwater runoff, improved habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife, beautification and visual stimulation which reduces fatigue in drivers.
Iowa DOT and county road departments plant native vegetation in bare soil after road projects. Many other state roadsides are being converted to native vegetation. Existing vegetation is killed with herbicide then drilled with a native seed mix. Diverse seed mixes with a high concentration of native wildflowers are used to add visual beauty with showy flowers throughout the season. Shorter growing species can be planted at intersections to increase sight lines. Prescribed burning is recommended to maintain native plantings. Smoke can create temporary but hazardous reductions in sight distances so burning is not done on state roads. Many county IRVM programs are able to burn their roadsides.
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