Mshkodékik (prairies) have been an important feature to the landscape for Neshnabék people of the Great Lakes region. Many villages were located on the edge of mshkodékik where life included yearly maintenance of the area to minimize the growth of woody species and stimulate the growth of native grasses and wildflowers. The word “mshkodéki” (prairie) roots in the word “shkode” for fire, which signifies that fire on the landscape was an important aspect of the habitat.
Midwest mshkodéki ecosystems depend on periodic fire events to rejuvenate the land. Once the villages moved and fire was not used regularly to maintain the mshkodékik, the mshkodékik that remained eventually turned into forest. The Environmental Department is working to restore and maintain mshkodéki and pollinator habitat by managing native grasslands. These efforts include conducting prescribed burns, babkan zhe gajë-dayêk control, addressing erosion and mshkodéki and pollinator plantings.