Prairie Pothole Region & Birds
The PPR is the most important region for breeding waterfowl populations in North America, as well as many shorebirds, waterbirds, and grassland songbirds.
Prairie Pothole Landscape
Continued loss of wetlands and grasslands in the Prairie Pothole Region has made it the most threatened breeding waterfowl habitat in the U.S.
Photo: Stony Prairie by Justin Meissen
Conservation Benefits People
Wetland and grassland conservation provides vital wildlife habitat, reduces nutrient loads in watersheds, and stores carbon to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy grassland-wetland systems are also vital to a sustainable livestock industry for food production.
Photo: Charlie Dickie for the SD Grassland Coalition and USDA-NRCS
Collaborative Conservation
Joint Ventures work for one simple reason: partners know they can achieve more through collaboration than they can alone.
Photo: Neal Mishler
Scientific Foundations
Since its inception, the PPJV has used the best available science to guide habitat conservation programs and adapt to challenges.
Photo: Kevin Barnes

Where We Work

 

The PPJV covers one-third of North America’s Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), including portions of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Just 20% of the grassland in the PPR is protected, which equates to only 6% of the historic extent of grassland area.

Welcome to the Duck Factory

The value of the U.S. PPR to breeding waterfowl is unsurpassed, with over 5 million duck pairs (10 million ducks!), representing over 18 species, supported by its wetland and grassland habitat. Waterfowl produced in this region have been harvested in 49 states as well as Central and South America.

Conservation through Partnerships

The Prairie Pothole Joint Venture stands out as one of the most robust, science-based Joint Ventures in the country. It is only through strong collaboration with partners and landowners that these accomplishments are possible.

Photo: Mitch Kezar for the SD Grassland Coalition and USDA-NRCS

Grassland Bird Habitat Conservation

The PPJV hosts 45-90% of the continental breeding populations for several grassland bird species that are experiencing some of the steepest population declines. The loss of over 70 million acres of grasslands in the PPJV has made grassland birds one of the most imperiled guilds in North America.

Our Amazing Grasslands

South Dakota was once 96% native prairie. Today, much of that is gone. With that loss has come declining bird populations, disappearing pollinators, altered water cycles, and reduced biodiversity. But this isn’t just a story about what we’ve lost. It’s about what remains. Native prairie is resilient — built to withstand drought, fire, and grazing. It protects water, supports wildlife, stores carbon, and sustains both livestock and communities. There is still so much worth saving.

Jim Faulstich, South Dakota Grassland Loss

Keep In Touch

Keep up with the latest news on bird and habitat conservation efforts across the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture!

Recent News

Four Square Mile Survey

The Four-Square Mile Breeding Waterfowl Survey (FSMS) is a targeted, long-term monitoring initiative established by scientists from the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center to

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