America's lost landscape The tallgrass prairie

Stunning visuals, serene music, and a soothing narration by Annabeth Gish tell the story of a fertile sea of grass (240 million acres) that was home to a plethora of animals and plants and how it was transformed from 1830 to 1900, the span of a single human life, into cropland. The history is revealed through interviews with biologists and historians, among others, and black-and-white historical photographs, paintings, and excellent cinematography. Native Americans altered the ecosystem, especially through the use of fire, but Anglos brought even more change with the introduction of the plow and new plant and animal species. With 99 percent of the prairie gone, restoration efforts began in Wisconsin with the writings and work of Aldo Leopold in the late 1930s. Today, the prairie preservation movement seeks to return the tallgrass bit by bit, including the establishment of sanctuaries along roadsides, in parks, and on farms. This conservation effort requires a redesign of our society, and those issues are squarely addressed in this informative and inspirational video; a welcome addition to all libraries. Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley Coll., Mt. Carmel, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 7 Up-In a span of less than 100 years, one of the major biomes in North America virtually disappeared. The tallgrass prairie that once spanned the center of the continent was rapidly transformed into cropland, leaving behind only scattered remnants of prairie vegetation. Employing spectacular cinematography, archival photographs, and poignant narration, the filmmakers artfully tell the story of this forgotten landscape. Short appearances by biologists, historians, and others add flavor to the narration. Viewers are introduced to the rich variety of plants and animals that inhabit that tallgrass prairie, as well as the climatic and physical conditions that favor the growth of prairie vegetation. This is followed by a description of the human history of the area, starting with the arrival of Native Americans, moving through early explorers, settlers, and land rushes, and culminating with the almost complete conversion of prairie to farmland by the end of the 1800's. The program then jumps to the 1930's, explaining how environmentalist Aldo Leopold worked to restore a plot of tallgrass prairie and to develop a land ethic that helped spark the modern environmental movement and the interest in restoring tallgrass prairie that continues today. With human development threatening ecosystems throughout the world, this film tells an important story. A beautiful and moving addition to classroom or library collections for high school students.-Tim Maret, Shippensburg University, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.