The prairie pothole region (PPR) of south dakota contains a diverse mosaic of wetland and grassland complexes vital to sustaining a myriad of wildlife that rely on the interactions of these ecosystems

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) awarded a $1,000,000 Project Grant under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654) to the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Wildlife Division. The grant funding will be used to directly restore, enhance, create, or manage 5,000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region of South Dakota by September 30, 2026. The key activities include seeding 1,300 acres of new native grasses and forbs, removing or chemically treating 700 acres of invasive woody species, installing fencing and water resources to implement grazing management on 18 properties, and restoring/creating/enhancing 5 wetlands. These habitat restoration and management efforts aim to build resilience for wildlife populations and support the FWS mission of conserving fish, wildlife, and plants for the benefit of the American people.

These ecosystems play a critical role in the migration of many wetland and grassland obligate species. Unfortunately, grassland obligate bird species continue to decline due to cropland conversion and habitat degradation. IT is estimated that 45.6 of the south dakota portion of the PPR has been converted to cropland (doherty ET AL. 2013). Consequently, grassland bird species have exhibited accompanying annual losses on the order of 3.7 , 4.0 , and 2.8 for chestnut-collared longspurs, lark buntings, and grasshopper sparrows respectively (sauer ET AL. 2014). Growing pressure on these ecosystems has led to a deterioration of quality habitat for waterfowl, upland game, big game, and non-game wildlife species in south dakota. These losses will ultimately be felt in terms of declining wildlife populations, leading to a significant impact on south dakotas 1.5 billion per year wildlife related recreation industry. However, wildlife habitats and the populations they support are renewable resources that can be sustained and improved when appropriate measures are taken.habitat restoration and management for a diversity of needs must be addressed if wildlife populations are to maintain existing levels. Providing for these various needs with currently available resources is becoming increasingly difficult, with the effort ultimately requiring resources other than the states alone. Funding from this grant will provide additional resources to restore, improve, and manage wetland and grassland ecosystems in the PPR of south dakota. These efforts will build in resiliency for the landscape and the species that require these habitats. Projects proposed in the narrative directly align with the mission of the united states fish and wildlife services mission to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the american people.objectiveobjective: directly restore, enhance, create, or manage 5,000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat by september 30TH, 2026. Strategy 1: seed 1,300 acres of new perennial native grasses and forbs.strategy 2: remove or chemically treat 700 acres of invasive woody species from grassland habitats.strategy 3: install fence and water resources for livestock on 18 properties to implement grazing management on existing grasslands improving their health and resiliency. Strategy 4: restore, create, enhance 5 wetlands.