The Dakota skipper is a small, threatened butterfly endemic to the northern Great Plains that is emblematic of undisturbed native mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie. It was first proposed for listing in 1978 due to population declines and range contraction from habitat loss and degradation, and in 2014 was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered

The PPJV is excited to announce that Lauri Hanauska-Brown has been selected to take up the mantle as the JV Coordinator after a monthslong search. With the PPJV partnership celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2022, the coordinator plays a vital role in keeping this conservation engine running. Hanauska-Brown joins the team in a period of

We’ve all seen the reports: grassland birds are declining more rapidly and more consistently than birds from any other habitat group in North America. These changes are particularly important in the Prairie Pothole Region, which has the greatest number of grassland bird species and some of the highest densities of grassland birds in North America

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has several financial assistance programs that can be leveraged to improve and restore wildlife habitat. Their flagship program is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), where NRCS works with producers to develop conservation plans that outline practices and activities to address resource concerns on their property. In many states,

This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture! Throughout our history, PPJV partners have skillfully navigated the dynamic nature of the Prairie Pothole Region to deliver voluntary wetland and grassland conservation programs that maintain the unique social and environmental character of this landscape. While the journey has had its fair share

The PPJV is gearing up to host the 2022 Federal Duck Stamp Contest this September in Bismarck, North Dakota. Our partners have done a great job spreading the word about the Contest as well as the on-the-ground habitat conservation made possible by Duck Stamp sales. The competition brings a unique medley of fine art and

“One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” – Aldo Leopold. The ecologically educated must have been especially distraught to see the large-scale wetland drainage that occurred throughout Prairie Pothole Region in the period after World War II.  The widespread erasure of small wetlands, much

Inspiring Awareness and Appreciation for Conservation through Science and Art The Junior Duck Stamp Program is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service science and art curriculum designed to teach students K-12 about wetland and waterfowl conservation. The program, established in 1989, is centered around an annual art contest and encourages students to explore their natural

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has long been referred to as the “duck factory” of North America, producing millions of ducks to be pursued by hunters and observed by wildlife enthusiasts. The PPR is also referred to by beekeepers as “America’s last bee refuge” because it supports the highest density of honey bee colonies across

As most people are aware, populations of many species of grassland-associated butterflies, moths, and bumblebees in the Great Plains of North America are experiencing steep declines due to habitat loss and degradation.  These declines are exacerbated by the generally limited dispersal ability of insects, which make local populations susceptible to extirpation following habitat fragmentation.  What

Connecting kids with the outdoors in a culture where being “plugged-in” has become the norm is an ever-growing challenge. A quick internet search on “ways to connect kids with the outdoors” produces literally thousands of ideas and advertisements for how this is best achieved. Thanks to long-standing efforts by the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture and

Jacquie joined the PPJV in March as the Science Integration Specialist, a new position that was made possible through a partnership with Montana NRCS. The goals of her position will be to support and work with the NRCS District Conservationists in Montana and enhance partnership building for migratory bird habitat conservation and agricultural producers across