#grasslands

Achenbach Trail, North Unit

A Quiet Rule Review Could Drain the Prairie Pothole Region, America’s “Duck Factory”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule revision would drain thousands of tiny-but-vital wetlands across the northern Great Plains

“Right now, the most important waterfowl habitat in the United States of America is at risk. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering repealing the rule that protects the integrity of the Duck Stamp easements that have been purchased for generations. Whether you’re a duck hunter or not, you understand the importance of conservation, the importance of waterfowl habitat, wildlife habitat, and clean water. Please take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard.”  - Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited

On the northern Great Plains, the grasslands in states from Montana and the Dakotas to Minnesota and Iowa, as well as parts of Canada, are dotted with countless often-temporary wetlands. Some cover less than an acre. Many dry up and disappear during the year, only to return with snowmelt and spring rain. Collectively, these glacial depressions form one of North America’s most productive wildlife landscapes—the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). Often called the continent’s “duck factory,” this is the breeding, nesting, and hatching habitat for over 60% of ducks in North America, as well as dozens of other species of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. This sprawling collection of millions of shallow wetlands is arguably America’s least known yet most important and threatened ecosystem. Now, however, an obscure federal review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has placed the future of many thousands of those tiny wetland habitats in doubt. "Right now, the most important waterfowl habitat in the United States of America is at risk. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering repealing the rule that protects the integrity of the Duck Stamp easements that have been purchased for generations," said Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited. "Whether you’re a duck hunter or not, you understand the importance of conservation, the importance of waterfowl habitat, wildlife habitat, and clean water. Please take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard..."

Read more and speak up for your ducks, geese, pelicans, cranes, sandpipers, grebes, and dozens of other water and songbirds here:

A vector art of grasses during sunset on a grassland.

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Excerpt from this story from Audubon:

 Forty-seven percent of Americans are unfamiliar with grasslands—one of the nation’s most essential and most threatened ecosystems, according to new national survey findings released by the America’s Grasslands Coalition. However, after completing the survey, more than two-thirds ranked grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems. The America’s Grasslands Coalition sees this as a promising sign that increasing appreciation and awareness of America’s grasslands is the key to catalyzing conservation action. The results are part of a nationally representative survey conducted by GlobeScan during April 16-28, 2026, with a sample size of 2,014.  

A foundation of biodiversity and rural livelihoods, grasslands play a vital role in supporting wildlife, storing carbon, sustaining food systems, and maintaining ecosystem balance.  U.S. Grasslands, including savannahs and shrublands, currently cover nearly 1 million square miles. And yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate, with only about half of the country's historic grasslands remaining. This decline threatens wildlife, rural economies, and climate resilience. 

Key findings

Awareness of grasslands remains low: Only 16% of surveyed Americans say they have a significant or a lot of knowledge about grasslands, while nearly half (47%) claim having little or no knowledge. 

Perceived importance rises with awareness: At the beginning of the survey, only 31% of respondents place grasslands among the top three most important ecosystems, which makes grasslands’ overall importance-ranking fall behind freshwater (69%), forests (61%), and oceans (45%). By the end, after learning more, 68% of respondents rank grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems.  

Need for conservation is underestimated: Only 24% of respondents identify grasslands as one of the top three most threatened, placing them near the bottom among all ecosystems. 

Daily Prairie Dog Fun Fact:

There are five species of prairie dogs! -Black tailed -White tailed -Gunnisons (Picture) -Mexican -Utah Last two are classified as endangered. They live in very small ranges compared to the others. Utah PDogs are also the smallest out of all the species.