A plan to restore perennial plants to agricultural land could help reduce runoff and improve water quality across the Great Lakes region.
A group of nonprofits and land trusts in the Great Lakes region is collaborating on a new effort to improve water quality by returning certain croplands to perennial vegetation to reduce runoff and limit erosion.
According to an article in Midland Daily News, “Using state-of-the-art watershed modeling paired with local insights, the Greater Lakes Promise team selects high priority lands for conservation. These lands are then permanently protected with funding generated by individuals and businesses who live and work in the region.”
The restored land will enhance carbon storage and reduce pollution. “The team will develop a modeling framework to target areas with the highest potential for phosphorous loading, along with the lowest predicted land value, in order to maximize the overall return on investment and make sure funds are put to good use.”
If successful, the project offers a promising approach to the permanent conservation of ecologically important areas.
Read the full story: New regional partnership to improve Great Lakes water quality
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