The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, DNR, USFWS Team Up to Protect 1,900 Acres in Clay County

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Pheasants Forever (PF) announced today they have protected 1,900 acres of native prairie, wetlands and restorable grassland in Clay County, near Fargo-Moorhead in northwestern Minnesota. A long-standing priority area for conservation partners, this acquisition strengthens a growing network of conserved prairie in the Red River Valley.

TNC and PF acquired the property using funds from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, which was created under the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and approved by Minnesota voters in 2008. The funding included two grants awarded to The Nature Conservancy and a joint grant to Pheasants Forever and the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society.

“This project reflects what’s possible when partners come together to protect places that matter at a meaningful scale, using public investments in conservation to deliver lasting benefits for wildlife, people and the land,” said Ann Mulholland, executive director of TNC in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The property lies within the Agassiz Beach Ridges area, known for its remaining prairie habitat and wildlife. The newly protected land includes 530 acres of native prairie and reconnects a grassland corridor stretching more than seven miles. It supports at least 15 rare, threatened or endangered species, including the loggerhead shrike, Baird’s sparrow, greater prairie-chicken and Dakota skipper, along with more common species like bottle gentian, blazing star, sandhill cranes and western meadowlarks.

“Pheasants Forever is proud to support publicly accessible grassland projects benefiting multiple upland bird species in Minnesota’s western prairie range,” said Sabin Adams, Minnesota state coordinator for Pheasants Forever. “This sprawling acquisition showcases the power of conservation partnerships in Minnesota, a state that leads by example for conserving natural resources for wildlife and people to thrive. Special thanks to The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society for partnering together with Outdoor Heritage Funds to create a complex that will serve outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen for generations to come.”

Given the size and conservation value of the property, TNC and PF worked together to ensure the land would be protected and managed in perpetuity through long-term conservation ownership. TNC will add 480 acres to its adjacent Blazing Star Prairie Preserve, and 320 acres will be transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create the new Keene Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The remaining 1,100 acres will be transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), expanding the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge and Flickertail Prairie Waterfowl Production Area. All protected land will be open to the public for recreational access and hunting.

“The DNR is excited to partner with TNC and PF to preserve and add 320 acres to the WMA program,” said Rob Baden, local DNR area wildlife supervisor. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of Minnesota’s WMA program. The new Keene WMA will become the 1,883^rd WMA in the state, encompassing almost 1.4 million acres of public land statewide. The WMA program provides opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching; protects habitat for future generations; and promotes important wildlife-based tourism in the state.” Learn more about the WMA program’s history here.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is grateful to work alongside dedicated partners who share a commitment to conserving Minnesota’s remaining prairie. By connecting habitats across this landscape, we give prairie plants and wildlife—the species that define these ecosystems—the room they need to thrive,” said Laurel Kullerud, deputy at Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District. “This project shows the power of partnership in protecting resilient, connected habitat that will benefit people, wildlife and future generations.”

TNC, the DNR and USFWS will complete prairie restorations on the portions of the property that were previously marginal cropland, improving habitat quality and resilience over time.

Less than 200 years ago, Minnesota was home to nearly 18 million acres of tallgrass prairie. Today, only about 1% of that original prairie remains. Protecting and restoring native prairie is critical for grassland birds, wildlife and pollinators, supporting carbon storage and water filtration, and sustaining people’s connection to the land.

About Pheasants Forever

A national organization dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education and conservation advocacy. Learn more at www.pheasantsforever.org.