The North American Grasslands Conservation Initiative

GOAL:  Protect and restore the world’s best waterfowl-breeding habitat in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.

The grasslands of North America are the world’s best waterfowl breeding habitat. This mix of shallow ponds surrounded by native grasses attracts millions of breeding waterfowl each year. Today, less than one quarter of our original prairie grasslands remains, and what is left is under imminent threat of destruction. Despite such dramatic habitat loss, the prairies of North America still provide the most important habitat for nesting waterfowl.

By working with partners and landowners, Ducks Unlimited plans to protect our remaining native grasslands and restore the many acres we’ve lost. Scientific studies show that if we can conserve 2 million acres over 20 years, we can make a real difference for wildlife on the prairies. And we’re off to a good start. DU has identified at least 700 landowners in the U.S. prairies alone who are willing to permanently conserve nearly 300,000 acres of grasslands through conservation easements. All we need is the money to turn those acres into perpetual duck factories.

We also make important progress on the prairies by supporting sound public policy like the U.S. Conservation Reserve Program and Canada’s Agricultural Policy Framework. DU is at the forefront of policy efforts. With your support we can do more, and we must. Conserving grasslands today is paramount to ensuring healthy waterfowl populations tomorrow.

"The Grasslands look to be probably the most endangered ecosystem in North America, when you put the tall grass, mid-grass and short grass prairies together."
 
Bruce Knight, Chief
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Senate Agriculture Hearing, June 7, 2006
 

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