Beauty is where you find it

Whether we've lived here for years or just arrived, we take the Great Plains for granted. After all, our surroundings are so plain ... devoid of the spectacular mountains, towering trees and ocean waves which identify other areas.

Yet -- for those who take the trouble to look closely, the Plains can have a subtle, serene and soothing quality. The Rev. Val Peter, the retired director of Girls and Boys Town, did a good job of describing the visual satisfaction of the Plains when he said, "The mountains and the oceans shout at us. The prairies whisper."

I was reminded of his words while reading the March issue of Nebraskaland magazine. Prominently featured was an article about Nebraska's Natural Legacy Plan. It was written by a botanist, Gerry Steinauer.

In the article, Steinauer tells about efforts being made to conserve the state's native wildlife, plants, organisms and habitats, including many unique to this region.

The legacy team was detailed in the descriptions, including some terms new to me for describing the landscapes of Southwest Nebraska. For example, did you know that almost all of Dundy County is in a landscape area known as Sandsage South, and that a large portion of eastern and northern Chase County is in a landscape area known as Sandsage North.

Otherwise, most Southwest Nebraska counties -- Hitchcock, Hayes, Frontier, Red Willow and Furnas -- are described as Mixed Grass Prairie. Other unique landscapes in this region are the Sandhills, in portions of Chase and Hayes County, and the Loess Canyons in the northern part of Frontier County.

The Plains can be fascinating. It all depends upon us. We need to pay close attention to our surroundings. A good place to start are the yucca plants which dot the western countryside. They change so slowly, yet they change, giving us many moments for casual contemplation.

Take notice of the yuccas when you pass by and see if you agree with Rev. Peter's words: "The prairies whisper." The region's beauty may not be overwhelming, but it can be soul-satisfying for those willing to take the time to look, listen and feel the ambience of the Plains.