In last month’s newsletter we were encouraged to imagine “twirling, whirling, rough muddy waters” of the Mississippi River. Now think for a minute what it was like for the people who lived through the worst man-made ecological disaster in our country’s history: the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. It was a world without water, a world where huge dark clouds of dust bore down on you, your farm and your children day after day. Family and friends suffocated from the inescapable dust that filled their lungs. The Dust Bowl wasn’t that long ago, during our parents’ or grandparents’ lifetimes, so we can actually see real video footage and listen to survivors. It’s scary to think about, but it is also important to remember how the Earth can react when we don’t take care of it. Its the same with so many man-made disasters that preceded and happened since the dust bowl happened. Just take a look in this article about oil spillages and the long-term effects that occur because of it. We still haven’t learned much from all the oil-spillages that have happened but possibly we have learned from the Dust Bowl.
The Dust Bowl began because of severe drought, but extensive plowing of the prairies in the Great Plains made things worse. In healthy prairies, deep-rooted grasses hold valuable nutrient-rich top soil in place. Plowing those grasses under without using sustainable farming methods such as cover crops and crop rotation let the loose dirt blow in the wind. Our actions have consequences and we must learn from our mistakes.
But what do the Great Plains have to do with the Mississippi River?
Our world is an intertwined ecosystem. Erosion in the Great Plains pollutes local waterways, which are tributaries to the Mighty Mississippi. Dirt and fertilizers from far away farms make their way into the River and, eventually, the Gulf of Mexico. Sustainable farming techniques are essential to the health of both our farms and our rivers.
Now we have an opportunity to recognize and appreciate both the environmental and economic roles prairies play in our country through the Protect Our Prairies Act. Prairie grasses keep nutrient-rich soil from blowing away, feed native birds and animals. The Protect Our Prairies Act reduces federal incentives to plow this valuable virgin prairie land. As a result, erosion and flooding will decrease, saving resources and water quality and wildlife habitat will improve, growing the ecotourism industry.
By updating the country’s outdated crop insurance program, Congress can save precious taxpayer dollars in this time of economic belt-tightening while discouraging the risky, unnecessary and destructive plowing of marginal prairie land. Large agricultural businesses profit from the outdated laws as they gamble with taxpayer money. We simply cannot afford it any longer.
River Citizens can make a difference today by contacting Congressional representatives. Tell them to support the Protect Our Prairies Act to save the country millions of dollars and discourage the destruction of pristine spaces at the same time. It’s a win-win for the federal budget and the environment.
Sincerely,
Annette Gomberg
1 Mississippi Outreach Coordinator
A lot of weird things happened during the Dust Bowl. Which of the following weird things was also reported?
a. A huge dust cloud traveled all the way to the Statue of Liberty.
b. Grasshoppers descended in clouds of up to 23,000 insects per acre.
c. Blue flames of static electricity leapt from barb wire fences.
d. All of the above.
Answer is on the Chorus of Voices Support the Protect Our Prairies Act blogpost!
River Citizen Testimonial:
“I believe the future of the Mississippi River depends upon helping people make a personal connection to the river. Through my work, I help people make that connection by discovering the history, culture and natural world of the river valley. That’s why I’m a River Citizen.”
~Dean Klinkenberg, Mississippi River Traveler