Fargo, North Dakota (July 22, 2026) – The National Audubon Society, through its regional office Audubon Great Plains, has announced a significant milestone in its North Dakota Conservation Forage Program (CFP), having restored over 20,000 acres of vital grassland habitat. This achievement is further bolstered by a new $2.5 million award from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, which will enable the program to restore an additional 5,000 acres of native grassland across the state. This initiative stands as a cornerstone of voluntary working lands conservation efforts in North Dakota, directly addressing the precipitous decline of grassland bird populations and enhancing the ecological and economic resilience of the region.
The Perilous State of Grasslands and Avian Decline
Grassland ecosystems, often overlooked in public discourse compared to forests or wetlands, represent one of the planet’s most endangered biomes. Historically vast and teeming with life, these critical habitats have faced relentless pressure from agricultural conversion, urban sprawl, and unsustainable land management practices. The Great Plains, once an unbroken expanse of prairie, has seen nearly one million acres of grassland converted to other uses annually, a staggering rate that has profoundly impacted its unique biodiversity.
This habitat loss and degradation are the primary drivers behind the alarming decline of grassland bird species. Over the past 50 years, these birds have experienced the steepest population declines of any terrestrial biome, with some species seeing losses exceeding 50% or even 70%. Species such as the Western Meadowlark, Bobolink, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow, Sprague’s Pipit, and Baird’s Sparrow, all iconic inhabitants of the North American prairies, are now facing uncertain futures without targeted conservation intervention. Given that the overwhelming majority of remaining grasslands in the Great Plains are privately owned, effective conservation strategies inherently rely on robust, collaborative partnerships with landowners and agricultural producers.
The Conservation Forage Program: A Model for Sustainable Land Use
Launched in 2021, Audubon Great Plains’ Conservation Forage Program was conceived as a proactive, market-based solution to reverse this trend. It operates as a voluntary, cost-share assistance program designed to empower farmers and ranchers to convert marginal cropland – areas that are often less productive for commodity crops due to poor soil quality, challenging topography, or susceptibility to erosion – into thriving native grasslands. The program’s core philosophy recognizes that ecological restoration can go hand-in-hand with agricultural productivity, creating a synergy between conservation and economic viability.
Juli Bosmoe, Working Lands Program Manager for Audubon Great Plains, emphasizes the multifaceted benefits of the CFP. "The Conservation Forage Program transforms marginal cropland, which offers very little habitat, into a dynamic working grassland system," Bosmoe explains. "This system, rich with a diverse stand of native grasses and wildflowers, provides varied structure and abundant food sources essential for grassland nesting birds." Unlike traditional "set-aside" programs, which can sometimes lead to decreased plant and animal diversity over time due to a lack of disturbance, grasslands enrolled in the CFP are actively managed. This active management, crucial for preventing ecological stagnation, ensures the long-term robustness and ecological integrity of the restored prairies. The integration of diverse native species is paramount, as they provide a broader range of food sources, nesting sites, and cover, fostering a more resilient ecosystem than monoculture plantings.
Chronology of Impact and Expanding Reach
The CFP’s journey began modestly in 2021, building on years of research and pilot projects demonstrating the efficacy of converting less productive agricultural lands back to native forage. By focusing on private lands and offering tangible benefits to landowners, the program quickly gained traction. The recent announcement on July 22, 2026, marks a pivotal moment, celebrating the restoration of 21,910 acres across North Dakota. This achievement reflects the dedication of 177 participating landowners and managers who have embraced the program’s vision.
This impressive acreage has been instrumental in establishing crucial landscape connectivity, forming corridors and patches of habitat that allow grassland birds to move, feed, and breed more effectively. The new $2.5 million award from the Outdoor Heritage Fund is a testament to the program’s proven success and will be instrumental in expanding its footprint. This funding injection is projected to facilitate the restoration of an additional 5,000 acres, pushing the program closer to its ambitious long-term goals of re-establishing a robust network of prairie habitats across the state. The program has also previously received vital support from other key partners, including the North Dakota Industrial Commission Outdoor Heritage Fund, Corteva Agriscience, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, underscoring a broad coalition committed to grassland conservation.
A Holistic Approach: Integrating Ranching and Restoration
A hallmark of the Conservation Forage Program is its collaborative, landowner-centric approach. Audubon range ecologists work intimately with producers to develop highly individualized, farm- and ranch-specific restoration plans. These plans are meticulously crafted not only to maximize ecological benefits but also to support the longevity and profitability of the agricultural operations themselves. By strategically converting less productive cropland into high-quality forage production, ranchers can optimize their land use, dedicating prime acres to cash crops while simultaneously enhancing their grazing lands.
These comprehensive plans outline practical strategies for improving forage quality and quantity, which directly benefits livestock. Crucially, they also focus on foundational ecological principles, such as improving soil health and enhancing wildlife habitat. Audubon Great Plains further supports participating landowners through substantial monetary assistance, covering significant upfront costs associated with restoration. This includes funding for native grass seed, essential fencing to manage grazing, and livestock water infrastructure, which are critical for effective range management. Additionally, the program offers establishment payments to compensate producers for forgone income during the initial period when native seedlings are establishing and cannot yet be grazed, thereby mitigating financial risk for landowners embracing this transition.
Davis and Amber Kinn, landowners in Benedict, North Dakota, shared their positive experience: "We recently purchased the land and knew that it needed to be put back to grass for it to be productive again. We actively ranch, and the program offered by Audubon was the best option for our operation to get cattle back on the land. We are very excited to see how quickly we can build the soil quality." Their testimony highlights the practical appeal of the CFP, which aligns ecological goals with the economic realities of ranching.
The Power of Adaptive Grazing: Mimicking Nature’s Design
Central to the CFP’s restoration plans is the integration of adaptive grazing management. This innovative approach recognizes and harnesses the ecological importance of large grazers, drawing inspiration from the historical movements of native bison that once shaped the Great Plains ecosystems. Rather than viewing cattle as solely a production input, adaptive grazing positions them as ecological agents, mimicking the disturbance patterns that are necessary for healthy prairies.
Charlene Kohler Prodzinski, Audubon Range Ecologist for Central and Western North Dakota, elaborates on this critical aspect: "Grassland bird species rely on contiguous grassland habitats to complete their life cycle. By converting marginal cropland back to grass, we can keep the best acres in crop production and still have areas that benefit cattle production and wildlife." She further emphasizes, "Disturbance by grazers is necessary for healthy prairies; it prevents stagnation, creates opportunities for new plant growth, and supports natural processes like nutrient cycling and seed dispersal."
This management strategy involves rotating livestock through pastures at varying intensities and durations, allowing for periods of rest and recovery for the vegetation. This practice not only improves forage quality and quantity for cattle but also creates a mosaic of habitat structures – short, medium, and tall grasses – that cater to the diverse nesting and foraging needs of different grassland bird species. The strategic use of cattle helps break up thatch, incorporate seeds into the soil, and stimulate plant growth, fostering a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem.
Kohler Prodzinski underscores the symbiotic relationship: "This program wouldn’t be successful without partnership between conservation groups and the landowners and producers of North Dakota. Cattle are necessary in the Great Plains for well-managed grasslands that support biodiversity and wildlife. Grasslands evolved with grazing and hoof disturbance, so what benefits cattle also helps grassland birds and wildlife." This statement encapsulates the program’s innovative spirit, transforming a perceived conflict between agriculture and conservation into a powerful alliance.
Broader Implications and a National Model
The success of the Conservation Forage Program in North Dakota carries significant implications beyond state borders. It serves as a compelling model for "working lands conservation" – an approach that champions the integration of conservation practices into active agricultural operations, rather than isolating protected areas from human activity. This model is particularly relevant in regions where private land ownership dominates the landscape, demonstrating that conservation can be economically viable and mutually beneficial.
Beyond direct avian habitat, the restoration of native grasslands yields a cascade of ecological benefits. Improved soil health is a primary outcome, as deep-rooted native grasses enhance soil structure, increase organic matter, and reduce erosion. This leads to better water infiltration and retention, crucial for drought resilience and reducing runoff into waterways. Native grasslands also play a vital role in carbon sequestration, drawing atmospheric carbon dioxide into the soil and helping to mitigate climate change. These broader ecosystem services provide value not just to landowners but to society at large.
The program’s reliance on public-private partnerships, exemplified by the Outdoor Heritage Fund and other corporate and non-profit funders, highlights a sustainable funding mechanism for large-scale conservation initiatives. The ability to leverage diverse funding sources, combined with the active participation of landowners, creates a resilient and scalable framework for conservation. Experts suggest that such integrated approaches are essential for tackling complex environmental challenges that span vast geographical areas and involve multiple stakeholders.
As the program continues to expand, it is anticipated to contribute significantly to regional biodiversity targets and provide valuable insights into best practices for grassland restoration across the Great Plains and potentially other agricultural landscapes globally. The positive feedback from landowners like the Kinns indicates a growing appetite within the agricultural community for programs that offer practical, economically sound solutions for environmental stewardship.
Audubon Great Plains continues to encourage more landowners to participate in this vital initiative, inviting them to join a growing legacy of grassland stewardship in North Dakota. For those interested in learning more about the Conservation Forage Program, including enrollment details, Charlene Kohler Prodzinski can be contacted at [email protected].
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with a rich history spanning 120 years. Driven by science-based research and community engagement, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and the vital habitats they depend on, both today and for future generations. Birds serve as powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as natural sentinels that alert us to environmental changes and inspire crucial conservation action. Operating across the entire Western Hemisphere, Audubon’s work is guided by the fundamental understanding that what benefits birds ultimately benefits the entire planet. Through a collaborative, nonpartisan approach that transcends habitats, geographical borders, and political divides, Audubon is committed to driving meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With a dedicated team of over 1,000 staff and a vast network of more than 2.6 million supporters, Audubon represents a dynamic and ever-growing force dedicated to ensuring a healthier planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Further information about Audubon’s impactful work can be found at audubon.org and on their social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, @audubonsociety.
