Thank you, Jim!   You did much more than your share to provide enlightened 
and thoughtful input to the DOT. 

I especially appreciate your inclusion of the local-ecotype prairie seed 
issue.  For those not familiar with this term, local-ecotype prairie seed refers 
to seed that is genetically descended from nearby native prairie remnants.  
Iowa-ecotype refers to seed genetically descended from native prairie remnants 
within Iowa.

Much if not most of the prairie seed planted in Iowa in the past forty years, 
by both individuals and agencies, was genetically descended from seed 
originally collected in prairies in other states, some hundreds of miles away.  Some 
of this seed was modified by plant breeders for grazing purposes.  The 
resulting cultivars are often aggressive, and don't look or behave like the plants 
found in Iowa prairie remnants.   (Some cultivars of switchgrass are especially 
known for this.) 

Some of this distant-origin prairie seed is grown and sold in Iowa, and is 
often (and accurately) called "Iowa-grown prairie seed."  But Iowa-grown prairie 
seed is not the same as Iowa-ecotype prairie seed.   Iowa-grown prairie seed 
may come, genetically, from Colorado or Texas.   

The Iowa DOT has been working to use more Iowa-ecotype seed, and needs thanks 
and encouragement for doing so.  Using Iowa-ecotype seed lessens the 
potential for genetically polluting prairie remnants near highway plantings (through 
wind-blown and insect-carried pollen).  

It also lessens the risk of accidently introducing new plant diseases and 
inappropriate species.   Using Iowa-ecotype seed also provides income for 
Iowa-ecotype seed growers, and it helps protect and expand Iowa's own unique prairie 
heritage.   Thanks again, Jim!   


Cindy Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA  50010

"Tell the truth and run."  (Yugoslav proverb)


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