Native Plant Project

The Library was specifically designed to function in harmony with the unique ecology surrounding it. As part of those efforts, the TRPL is sponsoring a notable Native Plant Project in partnership with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) to help restore indigenous plants to the Library’s extensive outdoor spaces. Decades of development have diminished the diversity of native North Dakota Badlands prairie species, including rare and endangered plants. The Native Plant Project aims to collect and cultivate seeds to grow these unique plants on site, helping to restore ecological balance and increase biodiversity in this striking grassland landscape. The project will be implemented across distinct stages, which include:

① IDENTIFY REGIONS OF INTEREST

The project team will identify key reference sites with a large diversity of native species inside the Little Missouri Badlands region, including Roosevelt’s own Maltese Cross Cabin and Elkhorn Ranch properties.

② COLLECT SEEDS

Students, community volunteers, and ecology and environmental sciences professionals will collect seeds from those sites during the growing season.

③ CLEAN, VALIDATE, AND STORE SEEDS

Once collected, seeds will be separated from potential contaminants and then dried and cataloged. At this stage, conservation partners will also have the opportunity to engage in potential research projects that can further our understanding of these plants and the greater ecology of the region.

④ GERMINATE SEEDS

Seeds will be germinated in local grow houses under ideal conditions to produce hearty native plants.

⑤ TRANSFER PLANTS

Once the plants have developed enough to survive in the wild, they will be transferred to Library grounds, where they can grow and germinate on their own, inviting greater biodiversity back into the Badlands.