New cost-share program for ponds, grazing systems, and grass seedings in Deuel, Roberts, Day, Codington and Grant Counties in 2000-2003.

The Prairie Coteau of northeastern South Dakota is a globally unique ecosystem comprised of rolling tallgrass prairie hills interspersed by thousands of small glaciated wetlands. This region is widely recognized as one the most diverse and critically threatened habitats on the continent. In recognition of these factors the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has joined forces with other partners to accelerate grassland and wetland conservation in this region.

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program along with the Grant, Codington, Day, Deuel and Roberts Conservation Districts, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, Ducks Unlimited and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks have all combined to develop a cost-share program for wetland development, grass seedings and grazing systems across the Prairie Coteau. Local Conservation Districts are the primary project sponsors, while Partners for Fish and Wildlife staff will work closely with local producers to review and design specific conservation projects. The Prairie Coteau project will run for three years starting in the fall of 2000 and is expected to place over $500,000 of valuable conservation work on the Prairie Coteau.

The primary goal of the project is to benefit both wildlife and livestock by working closely with ranchers to restore and enhance grasslands throughout the Prairie Coteau. Accomplishment estimates for this cooperative effort include over 7,000 acres of beneficial grazing systems, over 1,300 acres of restored grassland and 35 multiple purpose wetland developments.