The Mountain-Prairie Region consists of 8 states in the heart of the American west including Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long tradition of scientific excellence and always uses the best-available science to inform its work to conserve fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitat for the benefit of the American public.
Created in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, today's National Wildlife Refuge System protects habitats and wildlife across the country, from the Alaskan tundra to subtropical wetlands. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Refuge System's 560-plus refuges cover more than 150 million acres and protect nearly 1,400 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
While national wildlife refuges were created to protect wildlife, they are for people too. Refuges are ideal places for people of all ages to explore and connect with the natural world. We invite you to learn more about and visit the national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
The Mountain-Prairie Region's Office of Ecological Services (ES) works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, ES personnel work with Federal, State, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to avoid, minimize, and mitigate threats to our Nation's natural resources.
Providing leadership in the conservation of migratory bird habitat through partnerships, grants, and outreach for present and future generations. The Migratory Bird Program is responsible for maintaining healthy migratory bird populations for the benefit of the American people.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program in the Mountain-Prairie Region helps conserve, protect, and enhance aquatic resources and provides economically valuable recreational fishing to anglers across the country. The program comprises 12 National Fish Hatcheries.
Law enforcement is essential to virtually every aspect of wildlife conservation. The Office of Law Enforcement contributes to Service efforts to manage ecosystems, save endangered species, conserve migratory birds, preserve wildlife habitat, restore fisheries, combat invasive species, and promote international wildlife conservation.
External Affairs staff in the Mountain-Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides support to the regional office and field stations to communicate and faciliate information about the Service's programs to the public, media, Congress, Tribes, partners, and other stakeholders in the 8-state region.
Nearly 1,000 landowners in Nebraska have joined with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to restore fish and wildlife habitat on their lands. Through the Partners Program, the Service provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers realize their goal of making their land a better place for fish and wildlife while sustaining profitable farming and ranching.
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program was first implemented in Nebraska in 1991 and has been growing ever since. Since the early 1990's, approximately 1,000 projects have been accomplished, resulting in a substantial amount of habitat restored for Federal trust species (i.e., migratory birds and threatened and endangered species).
Nebraska is located in the heart of the central Great Plains, and its wildlife resources are highly diverse and very dynamic. The Partners Program works with farmers and ranchers to restore wetlands, stream and river corridors, prairies, grasslands, and other important fish and wildlife habitat.
Central Loess Hills Loup River Project, Phase-1. Credit: USFWS.
In Nebraska, the predominant wetland restoration and enhancement techniques involve restoring the natural hydrology through the blocking of drains, breaking tiles, filling in concentration pits, removing sediment, installing grass buffers, installing fences along stream corridors, and addressing problems throughout the watershed. Wetland enhancement activities include working with the landowners to better manage the wetland through the use of grazing, haying, discing, and burning.
Upland and riparian areas are restored and enhanced through the installation of cross fencing, providing alternative sources of water, and the development of grassland/grazing management plans. Prairie restoration along the central Platte River involves the conversion of cropland to a high diversity mixture (e.g., 100 to 200 species) of local harvested native grasses and forbs.
The Partners Program in Nebraska identifies priorities based on numerous criteria including:
Habitat loss
Future threats
Habitat functions and values
Benefits to federal trust species
Land ownership and partners goals and objectives
Nebraska's landscape, and thus its wildlife resources, are very diverse and vary due to their geographic location, hydrology and other physical properties. In Nebraska, the Partners Program focuses its efforts in ecosystems or watersheds where our efforts will accomplish the greatest benefits. A high priority is given to projects located in three major geographic focus areas of international importance to wildlife: the Rainwater Basin area of south-central Nebraska, the Big Bend reach of the Central Platte River and the Sandhills in north-central Nebraska. Additional important habitat complexes of importance in Nebraska include the Missouri River, Eastern saline wetlands and the North Platte River Valley which contain important habitats for migrating, wintering and breeding fish and wildlife.
The priorities for the Nebraska Partners Program are developed in coordination with our partners including the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, Ducks Unlimited and numerous other groups and organizations. The overall priority of the Nebraska Partners Program is to continue to develop successful partnerships with private landowners and other agencies and organizations to improve habitat on private land through Nebraska.
Our target species include the whooping crane, sandhill crane, lease tern, piping plover, waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland nesting birds and native fish and mussels.
The long-term goals of the Nebraska Partners Program are to protect and restore Federal trust species habitats on private lands and to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity through the careful selection, design and implementation of restoration projects.
Tallgrass prairie in Flint Hills, Kansas. Credit: USFWS.
In Nebraska, the Partners Program focuses in ecosystems or watersheds where our efforts will accomplish the greatest benefit. Three major geographic areas located in Nebraska are recognized as being of international importance to wildlife. Potential habitat restoration projects located within these geographic areas are considered to be a high priority for the Partners Program.
Nebraska’s Major Geographic Focus Areas
Rainwater Basins
Central Platte River
Sandhills
In addition to the three major geographic focus areas, the Partners Program also recognizes the importance of other fish and wildlife resources located throughout Nebraska. Other important habitat areas of concern include the Missouri, North Platte, Niobrara, Loup, and Republican Rivers, eastern saline wetlands, Todd Valley wetlands, and the southwest high plains playas. These areas contain important habitats for migrating, wintering, and breeding fish and wildlife.
Nebraska’s wetland resources have been greatly reduced since settlement. Historically, Nebraska contained an estimated 2,910,000 acres of wetlands that covered about 6 % of the State. By 1989, approximately 1,005,000 wetland acres or 35% had been lost, and many of the remaining wetlands have been degraded.
Wetland losses primarily occurred as a result of agricultural and urban development and was accomplished primarily by draining, filling, tiling, ditching, digging concentration pits, land leveling, stream degradation, and increasing sedimentation.
While wetlands have been lost throughout Nebraska, we estimate that about 90% of the historic Rainwater Basins, 45% of central Platte River wet meadows, and 36% of the original Sandhills wetlands have been lost.
The Partners Program needs to continue to restore/establish wetland, grassland, riverine, and riparian habitat on private land throughout Nebraska. More specifically, the Partners Program in Nebraska has the following future needs:
Protect, restore, and enhance 12,500 acres of degraded or destroyed wetlands plus 12,500 acres of associated upland habitat throughout the Rainwater Basin area of south-central Nebraska.
Protect and restore approximately 20,000 acres of drained wetlands throughout Nebraska’s Sandhills and enhance the Sandhill wetland-grassland ecosystem.
Protect, restore, and enhance approximately 10,000 acres of riverine and wet meadow habitat along the central Platte River for federally listed species and migratory waterbirds and grassland nesting birds.
Restore and conserve 10,000 acres of riverine floodplain habitat along the Missouri River for migratory waterbirds and other native fish and wildlife species.
Restore and enhance over 5,000 acres of wetland and grassland habitat along the North Platte River Valley.
Protect, restore, and enhance over 500 miles of stream/riparian habitat throughout Nebraska.
Work with private landowners throughout Nebraska and other partners to improve habitat on their property.
The key to the success of the Partners Program in Nebraska has been the partnerships that have been developed with private landowners and other groups, agencies, and organizations. Major partners include the hundreds of landowners located throughout Nebraska that have participated in the Partners Program, as well as the partners listed below.
Federal Government Partners
Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm Service Agency
The Nebraska Sandhills is a unique area, both in size and appearance. Native grassland covers 19,600 square miles of wind-deposited sand dunes. Its geology makes the area rich for wildlife, water and ranching.
The Sandhills Habitat Program is an ecosystem management approach based on an understanding of the Sandhills' geologic and economic forces that shape the natural environment of the region. Without knowing the land and the people, management is ineffective.
The sand dunes' influence on the area's hydrology is the basis of the Sandhills ecology. Hundreds of feet of course sand and gravel lie below the surface and contain one of the largest aquifers in North America. The dunes act like a giant sponge that quickly absorbs precipitation, allowing very little to run off. One fourth to one-half of the annual rainfall percolates downward to the groundwater. In the lower interdunal valleys, the water table is elevated above the surface and forms many of the 1.3 million acres of wetlands scattered throughout the area.
Sand Hills area map. Credit: USFWS.
Groundwater movement is relatively unrestricted (up to 500 feet per year) and excess water is discharged into valleys, wetlands, and streams. As wetlands begin to fill, they buffer or restrict groundwater discharge and maintain the high water table. Plants located in the valleys tap into the constant water source and produce dense stands of vegetation for wildlife and the ranching industry. In contrast, groundwater discharged into a drained valley maintains a continual flow of water from the area. Ninety percent of annual stream flow (2.4 million acre-feet) is groundwater.
Wetland drainage began in the early 1900's to provide additional winter hay for livestock. The linear orientation of the dunes allowed ditches to connect from one valley to the next until they reached natural streams. Drainage extended the reach of natural streams and affected the balance of groundwater and wetlands. Wetlands that once buffered the discharge of groundwater were no longer effective and a continual discharge of groundwater occurs into the ditches. The added flows cause natural streams to adjust their shape to wider and deeper channels. As the streams cut downward, the lower streambeds capture more groundwater, lower the local water table, drain adjacent wetlands, and lower the productivity of the valleys.
(A) Normal Sandhill stream.
(B) Downcutting of stream bed has captured more groundwater and
lowered the water table associated with subirrigated meadows
and wetlands.
Effects of Stream Degradation on the Local Water Table. Credit: USFWS.
Cultivation attempts in the early 1900's failed because the semi-arid climate did not provide adequate rainfall to sustain row crops. Today, abundant groundwater supplies and center pivot irrigation has made it possible to irrigate the porous and erodible sands. The sandy soils require large amounts of water and fertilizer to grow crops. The excess water leaches agrichemicals downward to the local water table. Domestic wells are becoming contaminated with nitrates and pesticides. Pumping water from deep depths to the surface has flooded the local water table and increased stream flows. Thus, adding to the impact of wetland drainage and channelization.
Ranching has proven to be the best economic and environmental use of the Sandhills. The natural resources which make the area suitable for ranching also benefit a wide diversity of flora and fauna. In 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began an ecosystem approach to resource management in the Sandhills. A Sandhills Coordinator was hired to bring a variety of people together to share their common interests and to develop a management plan acceptable to ranching and the environment.
The group, called the Sandhills Task Force, drafted the Sandhills Management Plan which reflects their goal and management approach for the Sandhills. In 1992, the plan was signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Task Force members.
The Goal
To enhance the sandhill wetland-grassland ecosystem in a way that sustains profitable private ranching, wildlife and vegetation diversity, and associated water supplies.
Strategies
The Sandhills Management Plan identified six strategies to help attain the established goal. The strategies are not all equal in need or value, but do give a full compliment of tools to accomplish specific tasks:
Education
Education is cost effective and can have a long-term effect on the land. The Service has joined with other partners to improve people's awareness of the Sandhill resources. Over four dozen presentations have been given to a variety of audiences, ranging from school and civic groups to professional organizations. The Sandhills Habitat Program has also appeared in newspapers, magazines, and television programs. One chapter in the book "Prairie Conservation: Preserving North America's Endangered Ecosystem" focuses on the Program as one example of ecosystem management. Resource management workshops and training courses have been given to both ranchers and conservation personnel.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is the most active part of the Sandhills Program. It not only involves the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but other agencies as well. Partners have included landowners, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA), several local Natural Resource Districts, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, The Nature Conservancy, county governments, and the EPA.
Partnership agreements have been written to improve a diversity of habitat. Wetlands have been restored or enhanced, riparian habitat on streams has been improved, and fencing and planned grazing have improved uplands.
The Sandhills Habitat Program has provided technical assistance to landowners and various agencies which have given them a better understanding of the hydrology and grassland ecology. The decisions they have made with this information have affected thousands of acres.
Acquisition
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not have an active acquisition program in the Sandhills. But we have been involved in assisting other organizations to solve resource issues. The Task Force has assisted The Nature Conservancy in the restoration of two fens. The Service has worked with the Nebraska Department of Roads and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to mitigate wetlands in the Sandhills.
Legislation
No actions have been taken either by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Task Force on legislative issues.
Lease Agreements
Lease agreements have not been done by the Service, but we have actively worked with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to incorporate their lease program in wildlife projects.
Financial Support
Efforts are continuing to obtain outside support for conservation projects. One such project obtained restoration funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The project, sponsored by the Task Force, brought matching money and support from local landowners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resource District, Nebraska Cattlemen, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and local County Commissioners.
he Sandhills Management Plan was built on the belief that "win-win" solutions can be found if landowners and agencies joined together. The Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has been the backbone of the success experienced in the Sandhills. Nebraska Partners for Fish and Wildlife has provided funds and staff to coordinate and complete projects in education and technical assistance. The types of projects have varied to meet specific needs of landowners and communities.
I've never seen government work like this. We get along real good. This was a unique opportunity to work with them instead of against them. We're trying to get along, with the land, with the wildlife, with the government."
John Lee, Rancher
Brownlee, Nebraska
". . . This is a complete ecosystem management plan developed specifically for the Sandhills of Nebraska. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has handled this area perfectly, in my opinion, and the success of the activity verifies that opinion. The Service worked with the ranchers and wildlife interests in the area to determine the needs of both groups . . ."
The Rainwater Basin area of south-central Nebraska has been recognized as an internationally important spring staging area for waterfowl. Millions of ducks and geese stop annually in the basin to feed and roost during their spring migration.
Approximately 90% of the mid-continent white-fronted goose population, 50% of the mid-continent population of mallards, and 30% of the continent’s pintail population stop in the Rainwater Basin each spring. The Rainwater Basin also serves as important migrational habitat for State and federally listed species, shorebirds, wading birds, and neotropical migrants.
Kenny Dinan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
9325 South Alda Road
Wood River, NE 68883
(308) 382-6468 ext. 214 kenny_dinan@fws.gov
Assistant State Coordinator
Kirk Schroeder
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
9325 South Alda Road
Wood River, NE 68883
(308) 382-6468 ext. 215 kirk_d_schroeder@fws.gov
Private Lands Biologists
Laurel Badura
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
P.O. Box 8
73746 V Road
Funk, NE 68940
(308) 263-3000 ext. 107 laurel_badura@fws.gov
Chad Christiansen
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fort Niobrara/Valentine NWR Complex
39983 Refuge Road
Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3789 ext. 223 chad_christiansen@fws.gov
Emily Munter
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
301 E. State Farm Road
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-8025 emily_munter@fws.gov
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