There is today an enthusiastic ground swell of interest in the grasslands. Traditionally, nature lovers and outdoorspeople have turned to the mountains and the seashores for relaxation and enjoyment. Until recently, like the emigrants on the Oregon trail, most of us have hurried to get across our grasslands as quickly as possible. Moreover, grasslands have a distinctive character. Unlike deserts, the vegetation forms a relatively solid cover over the ground, and unlike forests, the space is open and the view is endless.
Grasslands are one of the most extensive, productive ecosystems in the United States.
In spite of the limitations imposed by climate, grasslands present tremendous diversity as they change throughout the seasons and over the years. The existence of the American grasslands is marked by irony. After many millennia of evolution, much of the grasslands were transformed to croplands within half a century by the European settlers. Grasslands have not vanished completely. There are nearly four million acres of National Grasslands, where one can still explore native prairie.