Oklahoma Researchers Launch Grassland Research Center

A new center backed by an $8 million grant will study ways to reverse the decline of North American grasslands.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Environmental

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy, cream, and mustard, depicting an abstract geometric tallgrass prairie blade forming a structural column. — The U.S. National Science Foundation awarded an $8 million grant to launch a new grassland research center in Oklahoma. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Researchers have established the Center for Grassland Ecosystem Forecasting to study and improve the management of disappearing ecosystems. The group secured an $8 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to support the project for four years.

Why it matters

The project addresses the 62% decline of grasslands in North America caused by factors including overgrazing and invasive species. It aims to develop better conservation models through advanced data simulation.

The center will create observatories at the Kessler Atmosphere and Ecological Field Station and in El Reno to collect soil, microbe, and weather data. Researchers will utilize these metrics in simulations to model grassland responses.

The players

Xiangming Xiao

He is the director appointed to lead the newly established Center for Grassland Ecosystem Forecasting.

U.S. National Science Foundation

This independent federal agency supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.

University of Oklahoma

This public research university serves as one of the primary academic institutions collaborating on the grassland project.

The details

Led by director Xiangming Xiao, the collaborative effort involves the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, the Noble Research Institute, and East Central University. The team will analyze the impacts of woody encroachment and other environmental stressors to improve conservation.

October 20, 2026: The research center was officially established and its funding announced.
Four-year period: The duration of the National Science Foundation grant supporting the center's activities.

The Big Picture

The establishment of the center follows a pattern set by the documented 62% decline of North American grasslands by creating a dedicated facility to study the causes of that loss. This effort aims to bridge the gap between ecological data collection and effective land management policy.

The research could lead to improved agricultural management techniques that help local ranchers and farmers preserve soil health and grazing lands. These data-driven models may eventually inform broader state policies regarding invasive species control and land stewardship.

The takeaway

Understanding how weather patterns and land management interact is essential for preserving the remaining 38% of North American grasslands. Residents involved in land maintenance can look to the center's future findings for updated guidance on preventing woody encroachment.