World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been working in the Northern Great Plains (NGP) since 2002. The plains span large portions of Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas and Nebraska, stretching northward in to Saskatchewan and Alberta. The prairie eco-system is dominated by short- and mid height grass, numerous species of birds, many mammals including the prairie dog, antelope, black- footed ferret and bison. This iconic American landscape is rich in cultural and spiritual heritage for both Native American tribes and descendants of the early 19th century settlers.
The Olseth Family Foundation supports WWF’s two overarching goals: (1) To eliminate grassland conversion in the Northern Great Plains by 2030 by securing a more sustainable future for ranching, strengthening US government policies and funding for grassland working landscapes, establishing a verified sustainable beef system that contributes to grasslands protection, and working with companies to remove market incentives for cropland expansion. (2) To ensure that populations of the most ecologically, economically, and culturally important species are restored and thriving in the wild by 2025. WWF is focused on the restoration of bison and black-footed ferrets through community-based conservation, applying cutting edge science and technology, and addressing the most pressing threats to the recovery of these species.
