Ducks Unlimited (DU) Conservation Program Biologists work with landowners and producers who want more out of their land. The farmers and ranchers may be concerned about soil salinity or an area of erosion on their properties. Other landowners want to attract more wildlife or improve their land for the next generation. DU's Conservation Program Biologists help farmers and ranchers reach their goals through conservation programs.
Program biologists help landowners evaluate conservation programs that can solve problems, such as finding new uses for marginal cropland, enhancing grasslands, or improve soil health on croplands. DU biologists can help landowners walk through any applications for programs that will suit their needs.
See how DU is impacting waterfowl habitat in North Dakota.
Cover Crop and Livestock Integration Project (CCLIP) - These projects aim to increase the profitability of your farm by regenerating soil through practices such as reducing tillage, planting diverse cover crops, and rotational grazing.
Working lands program with the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) - Are you interested in increasing your grass productivity and livestock herd size at the same time? Are you interested in making your land drought resistant? NAWCA projects focus on retaining, enhancing, and creating grassland habitat in North Dakota through grazing infrastructure and rotational grazing.
Grassland Enhancement Pilot Program (GEPP) - Producers with an interest in improving grazing systems on leased lands have the opportunity with Ducks Unlimited’s GEPP. Project partners work with lessees and land managers to advance grazing systems on school trust and public land. Implementing a planned rotational grazing system improves grassland health, drought tolerance, and enhances recreational opportunities for the public.
Working Grassland Partnership (WGP, Natural Resources Trust) - WGP promotes livestock grazing as a management tool for improving grassland bird conservation. WGP provides landowners with voluntary options to help develop expiring Conservation Reserve Program acres into livestock grazing systems.
Additional programs that DU biologist can assist with include the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Public Land Open to Sportsman (PLOTS), and Wetland/Grassland easements.
Most programs can be coupled with others to address multiple resource concerns. For example, a landowner can choose to enroll pasture acres into the North Dakota Game and Fish Departments PLOTS program and a Ducks Unlimited NAWCA project.
Northwest North Dakota
Dane Buysse, Bismarck, ND
dbuysse@ducks.org
701-355-3584 (office)
701-425-4852 (cell)
Northeast North Dakota
Robert Ford, Devils Lake, ND
rford@ducks.org
701-230-2141(cell)
Southeast North Dakota
William Palarski, Bismarck, ND
wpalarski@ducks.org
701-355-3510 (office)
701-390-7382 (cell)
Statewide
Emily Schwartz, Bismarck, ND
eschwartz@ducks.org
701-355-3538 (office)
701-805-1987 (cell)
Sam Krohn, Bismarck, ND
skrohn@ducks.org
701-355-3577 (office)
701-934-1635 (cell)
Our Conservation Partners
Other Conservation Program Resources