James River Lowlands/Missouri Coteau NAWCA Project

Ducks Unlimited received a $970,000 grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Council to help fund the acquisition of perpetual grassland and wetland easements on Prairie Pothole habitat in South Dakota. This grant specifically identified Hyde and Hand Counties as focus areas because of its importance for northern pintail production. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDDGFP) provided significant match funding and theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service holds the easements. To date, DU has secured 5,136 acres of native prairie and 762 acres of wetlands habitat. The NAWCA Council approved Phase II of the project in 2005, providing one million dollars in funding to continue this important work.