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Temp Seed vs. Permanent Mixes: What’s the Difference and What’s Best Under Solar Arrays?
Comparing Soil Health, Erosion Control, Maintenance Costs, and Long-Term Sustainability As utility-scale solar development continues to expand, so does the need for smart vegetation strategies. What grows under and around solar panels matters—for compliance, maintenance, and environmental impact. Two common options used in solar vegetation management are temporary seed mixes and permanent native mixes, but
Why Early Vegetation Establishment Matters for Solar Projects
How Pre-Construction Soil Stabilization and Temporary Seeding Save Time, Money, and Headaches Utility-scale solar projects face a variety of logistical, regulatory, and environmental hurdles. Among the most overlooked (yet critically important) is early vegetation establishment. Long before solar panels are installed and power is generated, the groundwork, literally, must be laid. That groundwork starts with
How CRP Helps Protect Endangered and At-Risk Species
The Role of Conservation Land in Preserving Biodiversity and Supporting Threatened Wildlife As habitat loss and fragmentation continue to threaten biodiversity across the United States, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) stands as a critical line of defense for many endangered and at-risk species. By converting marginal agricultural land into ecologically valuable habitat, CRP not only
The Importance of CRP in Supporting Monarch Butterflies
How Milkweed and Other Native Plants Provide Crucial Habitat for Monarchs The iconic monarch butterfly, with its striking orange and black wings, is more than just a symbol of natural beauty; it’s a vital pollinator and an indicator of ecosystem health. Unfortunately, monarch populations have seen a dramatic decline over the last several decades due to
Creating Bird-Friendly Habitat with CRP
How CRP Plantings Support Upland Birds, Songbirds, and Migratory Species Grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America, and as they disappear, so too do the birds that depend on them. Fortunately, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides a powerful tool for reversing this trend. Through the establishment of native grasses, forbs, and
When and How to Mow CRP Fields for Weed Control
Understanding USDA Mowing Regulations and How to Use Mowing as a Management Tool Mowing is one of the most widely used techniques for establishing and managing vegetation in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. While mowing can be an effective tool for weed control and habitat maintenance, it