There are currently about three million acres of Fescue Grass planted in Tennessee. Fescue was introduced from Europe during the late 1800s. Kentucky 31 Fescue has become the predominant grass variety used in the last 50 years. Serious ecological problems are being recognized as a direct result of this introduction. Other plants cannot compete with this short, quick-spreading grass creating a monoculture with no diversity of grasses or other plants.
Fescue limits movement and provides little cover for wildlife.
It has also proven to be poor quality for livestock grazing. According to Mark Gudlin, TWRA's small game program coordinator, native grasses are good conservation choices. They are good for soil erosion, soil building and water purification, are drought tolerant and do not require fertilizer. The benefits to wildlife are great. Native wildflowers have room to grow in the spaces also providing food and shelter.