Forests are taking over Kansas Grasslands, according to Kansas Department of Agriculture

Donivan Bullins | @donivanbullins.tv

The native landscape of Kansas is going through some big changes.

Forest encroachment is swallowing up the prairie at an alarming rate in Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture. A new report shows a loss of Kansas grassland to encroaching forests, and many ranchers are stunned by how quickly the trees are taking over.

“I think what’s important is that we’re realizing that we are losing it,” said Daniel Mushrush, a rancher in Chase County. “It might look slow day-to-day, but it’s much faster than any of us are giving it credit for… because of woody encroachment, the cost of beef is on a lot of people’s minds. The State of Kansas since 1990 has lost the forage for almost 170,000 cows.”

Experts warn the loss of prairie creates a domino effect that hits every Kansan’s wallet and safety. Mushrush claimed that surrounding areas like Manhattan will see a loss of groundwater and greater fire hazards because shrubby ground uses twice the amount of water in the water table.

Despite the grim data, Mushrush said there is a path forward.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Mushrush said. “When you get in there and start piling trees, actually doing the reclamation of the prairie is very expensive. With education and the right policy, we can do a lot of good for our state.”

For many in the Flint Hills, the grassland is more than just dirt and grass—it’s an ecosystem as vital as any ocean.

“If a reef is worth protecting, then why aren’t the Flint Hills? We have the exact same complexities,” Mushrush said. “The main difference is, we can use ours for livestock and actually provide a boom for the state’s economy.”

Watch the segment here: