U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs in the Prairie Pothole Region are critical for the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) to achieve our shared goals and objectives identified in the 2017 Implementation Plan and our state-level step down plans. A new agreement between the PPJV and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) paves the way

This past August, the PPJV co-hosted a Grasslands Policy Tour with the North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition in Bismarck, North Dakota. The tour showcased agricultural operations that focus on soil health and successfully integrate grassland conservation, annual cropping and wildlife conservation into their business models. A wide range of stakeholders participated in the tour, including

The North Dakota Grasslands Policy Tour and Workshop on August 28 and 29, 2018 drew diverse participants from across the state and country such as ranchers, farmers, agency personnel, NGO staff and legislators, including North Dakota governor Doug Burgum. Two ranches in the Missouri Coteau of central North Dakota were part of the tour on

A workshop and panel discussion, convened on August 29, 2018 as part of the ND Grasslands Policy Tour and Workshop, began with a summary of highlights of the tour by facilitator and rancher Josh Dukart of Seek First Ranch. Josh discussed lessons learned, such as: Let nature do the heavy lifting. Although agriculture may be

The North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition (NDGLC) was established in 1996 to promote the health and sustainability of the 13.5 million acres of grazing lands in North Dakota through education about the values and multiple benefits of well-managed grazing resources and by voluntary actions. NDGLC supports and respects the rights of private property landowners. NDGLC

The original Migratory Bird Joint Ventures (JVs), including the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture, were established to achieve the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Today there are 22 habitat-based JVs and three species-based JVs, each addressing the bird habitat conservation issues found within their geographic area or working to further the

We find ourselves in a constant state of change within the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture, not only for priority species and the ongoing challenges of habitat conservation, but also in the partnership structure and opportunities. With recent turnover in PPJV Management Board co-chairs and partner representatives, and the impending transition to a new coordinator, it

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

For the last couple decades, a spring drive north of Gary, Minnesota on Highway 32 would have taken you by numerous rows of drainage ditches and vast, level expanses of black dirt. Going 60 miles per hour, it would be hard to imagine that the flat monotony might one day turn into potholes filled with

Audubon’s Conservation Ranching (ACR) program is the cornerstone of its Working Lands Initiative. It functions as market-based conservation, offering incentives for good grassland stewardship and “bird-friendly” management practices through a certification label on beef products. The program has evolved through a collaborative effort between beef producers, state and federal agency partners, industry experts, and other

The Wolsey Important Bird Area (IBA) in eastern South Dakota provides critical resting, refueling and staging habitat for over 150,000 Sandhill Cranes each spring including nearly 40% of all Greater Sandhill Cranes and over 23% of the global population of all six subspecies of Sandhill Cranes (Krapu et al. 2014). These majestic birds soar into

Multidimensional Conservation I think most successful partnerships, particularly those within the joint venture community, adapt and change over time. In such a dynamic, partners work together with incredible ingenuity and commitment to accomplish something greater than themselves or any one organization. They think beyond today, next month, or even 10 years from now since the