Our Conservation Policy Priorities in North Dakota

North Dakota's Outdoor Heritage Fund supports projects that improve wildlife habitat, expand hunting and fishing access, enhance soil and water health, and protect natural areas for recreation across the state. Established in 2013, the fund provides grants to state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal and local governments, with funding generated from a small portion of North Dakota's oil and gas production tax revenue.

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including species, their communities, and the ways they connect. When species or habitats are lost, those connections can be disrupted, affecting the health of the whole system. Watch this short video to learn why protecting biodiversity matters

Agricultural production in North Dakota is a $25 billion business, supporting more than 123,000 jobs and 20% of all labor income in the state.

Healthy soil is not a given. Without proper management, soil can become degraded, leading to unproductive fields and diminished profitability. Soil health practices—like planting cover crops, minimizing tillage, diversifying crops and improving nutrient management through precision technology—are critical to making crop land more resilient and productive.

North Dakota’s grasslands are at risk of being lost to conversion and poor management, but regenerative grazing can help restore them. Managing rangelands through strategies like rotational grazing can mimic historic cycles of disturbance while improving water quality, creating habitat for wildlife and storing more carbon in the soil. These practices make a big difference, and local ranchers are already leading the way.

Yes. Temperatures have risen, particularly in winter. Looking ahead, warmer temperatures could intensify drought by increasing soil moisture loss, while heavier precipitation could increase the risk of flooding. These changes have implications for North Dakota’s farms, ranches, wildlife habitats and communities.

Renewable energy offers an important pathway for tackling climate change and building a sustainable future for all. But how we do it—and where we put infrastructure—is important. The Clean Energy Compass is a tool developed by The Nature Conservancy to help guide clean energy planning toward outcomes that maximize benefits to climate, conservation and communities.

Nature-based solutions are strategies that leverage our lands and waters to help mitigate and adapt to issues like water and food security, biodiversity loss, health and extreme weather events. Examples include restoring grasslands and wetlands to store more carbon, improve water quality and help communities adapt to flooding and drought.