Sandhills

Sandhills is a broad region in north-central Nebraska characterized by extensive grass-stabilized sand dunes. It forms a distinctive transition between the eastern prairie and the western High Plains. The dunes result from wind action on sandy outwash left by glacial and river processes, and they are largely held in place by deep-rooted grasses, creating a rolling mosaic of prairie.

Soils in the Sandhills are predominantly sandy and well-drained, supporting drought-tolerant vegetation. The climate is semi-arid to temperate, with cold winters and hot summers. Annual precipitation typically ranges from about 15 to 20 inches, concentrated in late spring and early summer.

The Sandhills host one of the largest remaining areas of native grassland in North America, with tallgrass and midgrass species such as little bluestem, western wheatgrass, and switchgrass, alongside sagebrush and other shrubs in drier pockets. The landscape supports diverse wildlife, including pronghorn, mule deer, and a variety of grassland birds such as grouse and plovers.

Human use centers on ranching, with cattle grazing as the primary economic activity. The region also supports conservation, scientific research, and recreational access, while energy development, drainage projects, and changing land use present ongoing management challenges.

Conservation significance: the Sandhills are recognized for ecological integrity and biodiversity, and they function as a major groundwater source for the surrounding region, lying over portions of the High Plains aquifer. It is regarded as one of the largest areas of stabilized dune prairie in North America.