The transportation departments of 14 Midwestern states that occupy the region of the tallgrass prairie were surveyed on the management and use of prairie species on highway rights-of-way (ROW). A total of 128 surveys was mailed to state and district division offices; the response rate was 70%. The survey was divided into two sections: the first on the extent that prairie and other native vegetation are used on ROW and how well prairie meets the requirements of vegetation for ROW landscaping, the second on the establishment and management techniques used by highway departments and problems associated with these techniques. Ten of the 14 states are involved in the establishment of prairie vegetation; the remaining 4 are active in managing prairie on portions of roadsides. All states plant native grasses, wildflowers, and trees, as well as wildflower mixes of native and exotic plants. Drilling was rated higher in satisfaction and success than no-till seeding, hydroseeding, and transplanting. Four states reported the use of fire as a roadside management tool. Respondents reported that information on the management of prairie was inadequate and that department research on the topic was not widely disseminated.
Abstract