The Dust Bowl

I recently finished reading "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan.  It's a rather griping tale of the Dust Bowl presented through first hand accounts, diaries, and news stories.  Highly recommended by anyone interested in learning more about how our abuse of the land for profits brought about almost a decade of misery for the farmers. 

This subject had been of interest to me after my first season working in grasslands.  I had the opportunity to see the aftermath first had in the region hardest hit during this time.  Some of these grasslands have not recovered.  I did a vegetation survey in an parcel of land that was reclaimed by the government as a failed homestead/farm.  The soil is still powder and could easily blow again with a strong wind.  Other reclaimed parcels in the area are lush grasslands able to sustain grazing animals.  You can drive through these areas and see the abandoned homesteads and towns.  It is a sobering experience to see where this ecosystem is in recovery less than 100 years later.  

Part of my work is to be sure our use of the grasslands is sustainable and not damaging the ecosystem to the point of no return.  

Current mood: #reflectingweasel