The mission of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture is to implement conservation programs that sustain populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, other waterbirds and prairie landbirds at objective levels through targeted wetland and grassland protection, restoration and enhancement programs.  These activities will be based on science and implemented in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

The vision of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture is to have abundant populations of wetland and grassland birds that can be sustained in perpetuity for the benefit of all people who enjoy these species.

The following principles guide actions taken in support of the PPJV mission:

• Diverse partnerships are the  primary vehicle for accomplishing PPJV objectives
• Long-term protection, restoration and management of wetland and grassland habitats requires that partners collaborate with a variety of conservation and community efforts in the development of conservation, economic and social policies and programs that sustain the ecological health of Prairie Pothole Region landscapes
• Biologically-based planning that is refined through science-based research and evaluation

The PPJV is committed to implementing the habitat goals of the four major North American bird conservation initiatives:

The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), an international
agreement developed in 1986, recognizes the recovery and perpetuation of
waterfowl and other wetland wildlife that depend on the restoration of
wetlands and associated ecosystems throughout North America. As a
result, it established cooperative initiatives (joint ventures) to
reverse declines in wetland habitats and associated wildlife.

The North American Landbird Conservation Plan is a cooperative effort
involving partnerships among federal, state and local government agencies,
philanthropic foundations, and other individuals interested in bird
conservation not covered by existing conservation initiatives. Their
goal is to focus resources on the improvement of monitoring, and
inventory, research, management, and education programs
involving birds and their habitats.

The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (USSCP) is a partnership which involves
organizations throughout the United States committed to the conservation of
shorebirds. The organizations and individuals working on the plan have
developed conservation goals for each region of the country, identified
critical habitat conservation needs, and proposed education and outreach
programs to increase awareness of shorebirds and the threats they face.

The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (NAWCP) was developed to
create a cohesive, multi-national partnership for conserving and managing
waterbirds (seabirds, wading birds, gulls, terns, pelicans, marshbirds) and
their habitats throughout North America. Their goal is to produce a plan
whose implementation results in maintaining healthy populations,
distributions, and habitats of waterbirds in North America, throughout their
breeding, migratory, and wintering ranges.