Prairie Potholes

Native grasses in the Prairie Potholes (image: FWS)

As a series of fortuitous events have made the Dakotas a remarkably productive place for breeding ducks and a host of other species, it is imperative that we retain the wetlands and grasslands that have afforded this boom in productivity. Yet, with increasing pressure on the land base, there is greater risk for wetlands and grasslands. This loss can be seen by even the most casual of observers, native grasslands converted to crop land, wetlands drained, with dire consequences for breeding ducks, grassland-dependent birds and other species.

Do you believe the Prairie Pothole Region and its remaining wetlands and grasslands are worth protecting? Should this be a key area of emphasis for LWCF funding and USFWS investment?

This project would be a grassland companion to the proven Small Wetlands Program under the Refuge System.

A movement is afoot to create a large focus area for delivery of LWCF funding through the Dakota Grasslands Conservation Area to protect in perpetuity the wetland and grassland habitat so important to breeding ducks and others. As funding for conservation of this important breeding ground habitat is finite and lacking to achieve the task at hand, an injection of funding through LWCF would create the opportunity to protect a significant portion of the region’s remaining wetlands and grasslands. Further, as easements will be the mechanism to conserve habitat, the land will remain in private ownership ensuring that future generations of farmers and ranchers can continue to farm and run cattle on the land in a manner consistent with maintaining the wildlife values of these lands.

In short, with the clock ticking, the Dakota Grasslands Conservation Area program as articulated and funding from LWCF may be our last great chance to protect these crucially important habitats and the resultant large flights of ducks and other species these landscapes provide.

John Devney, Senior Vice President, Delta Waterfowl Foundation