State Wildlife Grant - T-56-R

In 2021, the Department launched the Meadowlark Initiative (MI) that focuses on sustaining native grasslands and the landowners who make a living from grassland agriculture in North Dakota.

The MI has created the platform for many ideas and innovations related to retaining native grassland.

As result of the partnership collaboration and landowner inquiries, the need for longer-term protection of grassland habitat was clear.

This proposal is a pilot for the process of developing these protection agreements.

We believe development of a program such as this will incentivize and support grass based agricultural practices, which will then support the habitats of priority wildlife species.

In addition, many landowners who are planning long-term for their families' grass based agricultural operations are interested in land protection options that provide more management certainty and financial support.

The Trust, in partnership with the Department and other partners, will develop details and processes required for the implementation of a habitat protection program in underserved areas of North Dakota.