Planting of the first of two sites was performed last fall and the second site was completed this July. The project area covers over a mile adjacent to North Lake, a backwater wetland of the Mississippi River. Eighty acres were restored and 20 more were enhanced and protected as a result of this project. Thousands of ducks, geese and other waterfowl, including American white pelicans, use this area during migrations and it is an important location for waterfowl nesting on the reservation. Before the project, these birds only had nesting cover in the grass/shrub buffer between the lake and the farm ground. With the addition of native grasses and forbs this buffer area has been greatly expanded and will provide higher quality nesting areas as well as better predator protection for nesting females.

The native grass restoration will also provide expanded opportunities for the Community's bison herd. Bison are an important cultural symbol to the Community, and there are plans to use restoration area for flash grazing by the herd. Native plants evolved under pressure from large ungulate grazers and short term grazing will provide a unique management opportunity for the native landscape. The project site also contains historic Native American cultural sites dating back hundreds of years. Tribal elders are pleased that areas around these sites will no longer be disturbed by farming practices and the landscape will be protected for future generations.