The primary purpose of this agreement is to continue a strong and productive statewide partnership between the US fish and wildlife service and the north dakota natural resources trust to facilitate…

The primary purpose of this agreement is to continue a strong and productive statewide partnership between the US fish and wildlife service and the north dakota natural resources trust to facilitate voluntary habitat conservation work on private and tribal lands. These actions are mutually beneficial to the service the trust agricultural producers rural communities tribal communities hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. A special emphasis will be placed on restoring creating and enhancing wetland and grassland habitats that are vital to breeding populations of a wide variety of bird species. Primary habitat conservation practices to be jointly implemented by the service and the trust include but are not limited to wetland restorations grassland restorations rotational grazing systems alternative watering systems for livestock and wetland creations. All individual habitat projects will be facilitated by site specific private landowner agreements as approved and administered by the services north dakota partners for fish and wildlife program. These conservation actions will have direct and enduring benefits to the public in the form of healthier bird populations healthier soils and cleaner water. Restoration and enhancement of grassland and wetland habitats from this project will contribute towards meeting population and habitat objectives identified in the services 2022 to 2026 mountain prairie region strategic plan for the partners for fish and wildlife program the north dakota state wildlife action plan and the prairie pothole joint venture implementation plan and ppjv ND state tactical plan.