A group of conservation organizations has joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks to launch the "Prairies Conservation Campaign." The Campaign's objective is to bring attention to the dramatic conversion of grasslands and wetlands to cropland in the prairie pothole region, according to the Wildlife Management Institute.

High agricultural commodity prices in recent years have provided economic incentive for agricultural producers to convert native prairie lands to cropland. According to a recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the grassland conversion rates experienced in the prairie pothole region during the past several years has not been seen in the Corn Belt since the 1920's and 30's. In addition, many acres of wetlands in the region have been drained for conversion to cropland during that same period. More than half the nation's waterfowl depend on the prairie pothole region for nesting and brood rearing each year.

Along with raising awareness of these trends, the Campaign partners intend to promote the availability of voluntary, incentive-based programs and tools designed to prevent the loss of these habitats in the region. One of their primary goals is to explore ways to make livestock production on these native prairies more profitable. (pmr)