New program to connect grassland in six states

(Undated-AP) -- Oklahoma is one of six states cooperating to promote a tourism and ecology program along Interstate 35, which will highlight native grasslands.

The multi-state effort along I-35 is known as "Prairie Passage." Highway departments in the six states will develop tourism brochures for national distribution, highlighting public prairies along the route.

The program will be promoted nationally, and incorporated into maps and brochures in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Texas.

Fred Markham of the Kansas Department of Transportation describes tallgrass prairie as one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The landscape architect says less than one percent of the original tallgrass remains.