NDSU landscape architecture students won the highest honor, the Award of Excellence, in the American Society of Landscape Architecture Central States Regional Awards Competition for their project, “Where the Buffalo Roamed: Recreation and Restoration Strategies for the Sheyenne National Grasslands.”

Twenty students worked on the project during the fall semester in senior-level environmental planning landscape architecture studio.

Catherine Wiley, assistant professor of landscape architecture and the studio instructor, said the project resulted in a 570-page book that knits together a body of proposals based on research and cutting-edge science. It ties to the U.S. Forest Service’s 2001 Environmental Impact Statement for the northern grasslands management plan, which supports a 4 percent increase in recreation opportunities of the northern grasslands.

Students analyzed the conflict between public and private interests regarding the grasslands. They sought to balance the public’s increasing desire to see bison roam on the prairies once again and for natural beauty to be restored, with the existing grazing allotments valued by ranchers.

Students' proposals ranged from requiring major investment – such as an original stream channel restoration with riffles and pools to reduce erosion, increase habitat for fish and kayak possibilities – to ephemeral uses, such as paintball courses or goat herding.

Fifty-two projects were submitted to the Central State Regional Awards Competition in an eight-state region from North Dakota to Texas. The jury recognized 27 projects.

The award will be presented at the 2011 Central States Conference May 4-6 in Des Moines, Iowa.

For more information on the project, contact Wiley at catherine.wiley@ndsu.edu or (701) 231-7809.