Wildlife of the Piedmont grasslands

According to the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, grassland loss is “the single greatest conservation issue currently facing North American biodiversity.” For many grassland creatures like birds and butterflies, connected expanses of natural lands are critical to survival. Even for those that don’t travel far during their lifespans, like the oak toad, a healthy ecosystem with clean water, shelter, and ample food is essential.

Grasslands play a crucial role in supporting pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and other native wildlife. In fact, many of our rarest and fastest declining species depend on grassland ecosystems. The deep root systems of many grasses also make grasslands especially effective as carbon sinks that are less vulnerable to wildfires—a tree that burns ends up putting more carbon into the atmosphere than it removes; native grasses are mostly underground, and evolved to thrive and even require periodic fire.

The Catawba Lands Conservancy’s grasslands program works to protect and restore habitat for creatures like the bobwhite quail, meadowlark, monarch butterfly and even many species of frog and toad. In 2024 the Conservancy managed 150 acres of permanently protected grassland habitat.

The Conservancy’s impact on healthy ecosystems and biodiversity is what attracted Ally Financial to invest in the Catawba Grasslands Project. Last year, Ally was the presenting sponsor of Pop Up Picnic, which raised over $93,000 to help with restoring native grasslands that once thrived across much of our region.

“Communities that balance investments in nature alongside development are more resilient, vibrant, and economically stable, which is particularly important in a changing climate,” said Kathleen Price, Sustainability Risk Executive with Ally. “We are thrilled to support the work of the Catawba Lands Conservancy to build stronger ecosystems in the Carolinas for the benefit of all.”