The Prairie Pothole Joint Venture
JVs work for one simple reason: partners have realized that they can achieve more through collaboration than they can accomplish acting alone.
What We Are
The Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) formed in 1987 under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan as one of the first Migratory Bird Joint Ventures in the United States. Since then, it has advanced landscape level scientific tools that allow habitat practitioners to target the most effective and efficient conservation across the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region. Today, the PPJV 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.
The PPJV fosters innovative partnerships among federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, policy makers, resource managers, corporations, and others with a common interest in wetland and grassland habitat conservation. This dynamic partnership functions as a network of partners at local, regional, national, and international levels. The PPJV leverages resources by pooling funding, information, and personnel, accomplishing more in a coordinated process than what would be accomplished individually.
Partnerships are the engines that drive JV success.
Migratory Bird Joint Ventures
The PPJV is one of the original six bird habitat Joint Ventures. Joint Ventures cultivate and support regional partnerships that conserve habitat for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. Nationwide, 23 habitat-based Joint Ventures address the bird habitat conservation issues found within their geographic area. Additionally, three species-based Joint Ventures, all with an international scope, work to further the scientific understanding needed to effectively manage specific bird species. Joint Ventures have over 30 years of success in leveraging public and private resources to bring together partners and focus on regional conservation needs.
Mission & Vision
The mission of the PPJV is to implement conservation programs that sustain populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, other waterbirds, and prairie landbirds at objective levels through targeted conservation programs. These activities are based on science and implemented in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
The vision of the PPJV is to have abundant populations of waterfowl and other wetland and grassland birds that can be sustained in perpetuity.
The following principles guide actions taken in support of the PPJV mission:
- Diverse partnerships are the primary vehicle for accomplishing PPJV goals.
- Conservation of wetland and grassland habitats requires economic and social policies and programs that sustain the ecological health of the Prairie Pothole Region.
- Planning based on biology is refined through scientific research and evaluation.
Audubon Dakota staff discuss certification process for bird-friendly beef with rancher Dan Rasmussen of the 33 Ranch. Photo credit: M.F. Fernandez
Prairie Conservation in Action
Learn more about the people of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture who are working to conserve prairie birds and their habitats.