Audubon Surpasses 20,000 Acres of Grassland Restoration Through North Dakota Conservation Forage Program

Fargo, North Dakota (July 22, 2026) — The National Audubon Society has surpassed 20,000 acres of grassland restoration through its North Dakota Conservation Forage Program, marking a significant milestone for one of the state's leading voluntary working lands conservation efforts. A new $2.5 million Outdoor Heritage Fund award will allow Audubon Great Plains to restore another 5,000 acres of native grassland across the state. 

Launched in 2021, the Conservation Forage Program (CFP) is a voluntary, cost-share assistance program that helps farmers and ranchers convert marginal cropland into native grasses and forbs. Habitat loss and degradation are among the primary reasons grassland birds have experienced the greatest population decline of any terrestrial biome in the past 50 years. In the Great Plains, nearly one million acres of grassland are converted to other uses every year. Because the majority of grassland birds live on private land, conservation for these species relies on strong partnerships with landowners and managers.  

“The Conservation Forage Program brings marginal cropland, which provides very little habitat, into a working grassland system where a diverse stand of grasses and wildflowers supplies varied structure and food sources for grassland nesting birds,” said Juli Bosmoe, Working Lands Program Manager for Audubon Great Plains, Audubon’s regional office covering the Dakotas and Nebraska. “Unlike set-aside programs, which can see plant and animal diversity decrease over time from a lack of grassland disturbance, grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Forage Program remain robust because they are actively managed to prevent stagnation.”  

Alongside 177 landowners and managers in North Dakota, the Conservation Forage Program has now restored 21,910 acres, establishing landscape connectivity and critical habitat for declining grassland-nesting species, such as the Western Meadowlark, Bobolink, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, and Baird’s Sparrow.  

“Grassland bird species rely on contiguous grassland habitats to complete their life cycle,” said Charlene Kohler Prodzinski, Audubon Range Ecologist for Central and Western North Dakota. “By converting marginal cropland back to grass, we can keep the best acres in crop production and still have areas that benefit cattle production and wildlife.” 

Audubon range ecologists work closely with producers enrolled in the program to develop farm- and ranch-specific restoration plans that support the longevity of their operations by turning less productive cropland over to forage production. These plans outline practical strategies for improving forage quality and quantity, soil health, and wildlife habitat. Audubon also offers monetary assistance for grass seed, fencing, and livestock water infrastructure, as well as establishment payments to cover forgone income while producers allow native seedlings to establish before use. 

“We recently purchased the land and knew that it needed to be put back to grass for it to be productive again,” said Davis and Amber Kinn, landowners in Benedict, North Dakota. “We actively ranch, and the program offered by Audubon was the best option for our operation to get cattle back on the land. We are very excited to see how quickly we can build the soil quality.”  

In CFP's restoration plans, Audubon recognizes the importance of adaptive grazing management, where cattle mimic the movements of native grazers (primarily bison) that historically shaped the ecosystems of the Great Plains. Disturbance by grazers is necessary for healthy prairies; it prevents stagnation, creates opportunities for new plant growth, and supports natural processes like nutrient cycling and seed dispersal.  

“This program wouldn't be successful without partnership between conservation groups and the landowners and producers of North Dakota,” Kohler Prodzinski said. “Cattle are necessary in the Great Plains for well-managed grasslands that support biodiversity and wildlife. Grasslands evolved with grazing and hoof disturbance, so what benefits cattle also helps grassland birds and wildlife.” 

With funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to continue the Conservation Forage Program, more landowners are encouraged to participate and join a legacy of grassland stewardship in North Dakota. The program has also previously received support from the North Dakota Industrial Commission Outdoor Heritage Fund, Corteva Agriscience, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  

For more information about the Conservation Forage Program, including how to enroll, please contact Charlene Kohler Prodzinski at Charlene.Kohler@Audubon.org.   

About Audubon 

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, nonpartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With over 1,000 staff and more than 2.6 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at audubon.org and on Facebook and Instagram @audubonsociety.