Painting bunting (Passerina ciris) in the restored coastal prairie at WARC's Lafayette, LA location

Painting bunting (Passerina ciris) in the restored coastal prairie at WARC's Lafayette, LA location. Coastal prairies support biodiversity by providing habitat and nourishment for pollinators and other beneficial wildlife. They provide crucial stopover areas for migratory birds, as a place to rest and replenish their energy stores. Additionally, it provides habitat for grassland birds, the most rapidly declining group of birds in North America such as the Henslow sparrow and Northern bobwhite quail. Coastal prairie is home to incredible insect diversity. Native insects rely on native plants for food, and many prairie plants provide plentiful and continuous supplies of nectar. The result is a habitat teeming with butterflies, dragonflies, bees, wasps, ants, grasshoppers, beetles, and praying mantises. This plethora of insects acts as a food source for many animals, enhancing the ecological value of coastal prairie.