North Dakota Natural Resources Trust (NDNRT, the Trust) experienced a positive response to its Working Grasslands Partnership (WGP) program in Phase I and II. In fact, the reaction was so enthusiastic that NDNRT proposed Phase III – opening the program across half of the state (all within the PPJV landscape) – in the most recent request for proposals from the ND Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF). On June 5, the Industrial Commission approved the project for full funding. The very next day, the Trust held a coordination meeting for field agents in Devils Lake to kick off the program.
The WGP focus is keeping expired or expiring Conservation Reserve Program acreage in grasslands. Limited lease dollars are available; the primary benefit comes from the 60:40 cost-share on water and fencing infrastructure developments. These enhance dormant or low performing acreage by improv