This 12.28-million-acre area in western
North Dakota is known for broad expanses of native pastureland bisected by hundreds of
intermittent streams and several larger rivers. Over 700,000 head of cattle were raised in
the Northern Great Plains in 1994.
Before
North Dakota mixed grass prairie.
After
The North Dakota Partners Program assisted the landowner in developing a rest/rotation
grazing system. Systems like this enhance wildlife habitat on private lands and afford the
landowner an opportunity to better manage his livestock.
The area is considered extremely important for
breeding and migrating grassland songbirds, as well as several species of shorebirds.
Pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and golden eagles are common.
