They are Russian Olives. For more than a century they have held back the wind and provide winter shelter for all kinds of prairie game, everything from cottontails to deer, including pheasants, sharpies and on occasion Huns.

Now because some grant subsidised college kid with the State Conservation Dept thinks they are toxic, the G&F is bulldozing miles upon miles of them down.

Sadder still is the know-it-alls are not replacing that habitat with something else.

bc