Grasslands are an essential habitat. They are home to thousands of species, many of which are threatened and endangered. Grasslands also help to sequester carbon, reducing emissions,storing water and mitigating flood risk. Yet, many of our global grasslands have been destroyed. Decades of development, industrial agriculture or overgrazing have led to swathes of healthy, biodiverse grasslands being lost. Almost half of all temperate grasslands and 16 percent of tropical grasslands have been converted to agricultural or industrial uses and only one percent of the original tallgrass prairie exists today. 

However, we can restore our grasslands. By valuing our species-rich grasslands and restoring them to health, we can help to stop our climate and ecological emergencies and create a more sustainable future for our planet.  This panel discussion will look at the power and potential of grassland restoration with a focus on the importance of species-richness and biodiversity. Panellists will discuss restoration from a location-specific perspective, offering examples from around the globe and highlighting holistic management techniques.