- Categories:
- Special Interest
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- ConservationEnvironment
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- United States
- Date change rule:
- Week starting with the 3rd Sunday of June
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National Grasslands Week, typically observed in the third full week of June, celebrates the vast, vital ecosystems managed by the U.S. Forest Service. This week highlights their natural beauty, historical significance, and the wealth of wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation they provide. Explore these unique landscapes and support their conservation.
Want to sponsor National Grasslands Week? Learn how
Expected National Grasslands Week Deals
National Grasslands Week inspires a focus on conservation and environmental stewardship rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the National Grasslands Coalition and the National Forest Foundation often run donation drives and awareness campaigns. Look for opportunities to support local conservation groups through volunteer work or direct contributions. Retailers such as Patagonia and REI, known for their environmental advocacy, may highlight product lines that support outdoor recreation and sustainable land use, often with a portion of proceeds benefiting related causes. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as June approaches.
Platform Guide for National Grasslands Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalGrasslandsWeek. Share stunning photos or videos of grasslands, highlight their biodiversity, or post about your visit to a national grassland.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalGrasslandsWeek. Share facts about grassland ecosystems, advocate for conservation policies, or retweet updates from environmental organizations.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalGrasslandsWeek. Join discussions in local community groups about nearby grasslands, share educational resources, or promote virtual events.
National Grasslands Week Hero
Aldo Leopold
History of National Grasslands Week
Grasslands are vast, flat stretches of land found on all continents except Antarctica. The most extensive natural grasslands are intermediates between forests and deserts. Forests thrive in damp, humid places with a tall, dense canopy of trees. Tropical grasslands, which often sit between tropical forests and deserts, and temperate grasslands, which generally fall between deserts and temperate forests, are the two greatest areas of natural grassland. Tropical grasslands and savannas share many similarities, and the differentiation between them is based on the number of trees present. Similarly, temperate grasslands may include a scattering of shrubs or trees that confuse their boundaries when near scrublands or temperate forests.
Tropical grasslands are found mostly in the Sahel, East Africa, and Australia. Temperate grasslands are found in North America, Argentina, and a large stretch from Ukraine to China. However, agricultural activities have significantly altered most of these locations. Deserts occur where there is insufficient precipitation to support a continuous vegetation cover. Grasslands sit between these two extremes.
Grasslands are filled with intriguing animals and flora. Even in the severe Arctic climate, healthy grasslands support a great variety of plants and animals. Everything in this vital biosphere is interconnected, right down to the soil.
National Grasslands Week timeline
Congress passes the Homestead Act to encourage settlers to move into the still largely unpopulated West on 160-acre plots of land.
The federal government, under the Land Utilization Program, purchases more than 11 million acres of unsuitable farmland for planting trees, building water infrastructure, and seeding grassy regions.
U.S. federal authorities declare certain areas national grasslands.
The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois becomes the first national tallgrass prairie in the U.S.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Grasslands Week
Local businesses, especially those in rural areas near national grasslands, can celebrate by highlighting their commitment to environmental stewardship. Outdoor recreation outfitters can offer guided tours or workshops focused on grassland ecology. Restaurants might source ingredients from local farms practicing sustainable agriculture, emphasizing their connection to healthy land. Any business can partner with a local conservation group for a donation drive or a volunteer cleanup event, demonstrating tangible support for these vital ecosystems.
National Grasslands Week FAQs
When is National Grasslands Week?
In 2027, National Grasslands Week begins on Sunday, June 20, and concludes on Saturday, June 26, providing another opportunity to explore and support these crucial ecosystems.
How many national grasslands are there?
The network of 20 national grasslands, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, continues to be a cornerstone of conservation, providing essential ecological services and public access across millions of acres.
Why are grasslands important?
Beyond their ecological value, grasslands contribute significantly to rural economies through ranching and recreation. Their deep root systems prevent soil erosion and enhance soil health, making them indispensable for a stable environment.
What is the difference between a prairie and a grassland?
Prairies are a type of grassland characterized by tall or short grasses and few trees, typically found in temperate climates. Grasslands encompass a wider variety of grassy biomes, including savannas and steppes, which may have different climates and plant compositions.
National Grasslands Week Activities
Educate yourself
Do some research on the internet or in a library to find out more about grasslands and their importance. You can also use the week to educate other people as well about the significance of grasslands.
Visit the grasslands
Several grasslands will participate in National Grasslands Week. You can go on any day during the week to visit at least one or several if you have the opportunity.
Make a donation
Donations can be made to grassland conservation organizations to help them continue their efforts. You can help save the grasslands by doing this.
5 Interesting Facts About Grasslands
Animals live in temperate grasslands
Prairie dogs, badgers, coyotes, fast foxes, and a wide variety of birds can be found in temperate grasslands.
African savannas
In the African savannas, for example, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and giraffes all rely on vegetation for their survival.
Rainfall varies
The yearly rainfall in grasslands might vary from 10 to 40 inches from year to year and from season to season.
Different names
In the U.S., people call grasslands ‘prairies;’ in South America, they’re known as ‘pampas;’ in Russia and Ukraine, they’re known as ‘steppes;’ and in Africa, they’re known as ‘African savannas.’
Grasslands cover a significant portion of Earth
Grasslands make up a significant portion of the planet’s terrestrial landscape, accounting for 37% of its total land area.
Why We Love National Grasslands Week
Domestic animals
Human welfare can be enhanced in a variety of ways by using grassland products directly. These items can be gathered, consumed, or sold. Domestic animals have relied on grasslands for nourishment for millennia, whether it's in the form of raw grass or hay throughout the winter.
Food production
Global food production relies heavily on ruminant milk and meat produced in grasslands. To feed the world’s growing population, additional food must be sourced from the world’s existing agricultural land base, including grasslands.
We appreciate their many uses
National grasslands encompass some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the U.S. These grasslands not only provide a habitat for wildlife and possibilities for recreation but also help to keep a large number of farms and ranches in operation.
National Grasslands Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 21–27 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2027 | June 20–26 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2028 | June 18–24 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2029 | June 17–23 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2030 | June 16–22 | Sunday–Saturday |
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