In 2022, Audubon state offices were awarded multiple grants to restore critical pollinator habitats in both rural and urban areas.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved nearly $3 million across eight Outdoor Heritage Fund grant projects. Audubon Dakota was awarded two of these grants, totaling $443,883 for projects that address rural and urban conservation needs within the Red River Valley. In addition, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded Audubon Nebraska $175,000 to enhance and restore native prairie habitat for the monarch butterfly and regal fritillary.
Red River Valley Prairie Management Toolbox Project
The Red River Valley Prairie Management Toolbox (PMT) project will expand the PMT geography into an ecoregion pressured by conventional crop agriculture yet is critical habitat for charismatic fauna such as the monarch butterfly, Golden-winged Warbler, and Greater Prairie-Chicken. Within the Red River Valley, the PMT will provide private landowners financial and technical assistance to conserve the diversity in grassland ecosystems through practices such as managed grazing, invasive species management, and grassland seed enhancement. The geography specifically includes North Dakota counties that are identified as the North Core area for the monarch butterfly, as classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Audubon has placed emphasis on this geography due to pollinators’ immense importance to other wildlife species. Multiple monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation plans have outlined key solutions to save pollinators, many of which are fully incorporated into the PMT and include habitat improvement and protection, technical assistance to private landowners, and full life-cycle conservation.
Urban Woods and Prairies Initiative, Urban Pollinator Plots Project
The Urban Pollinator Plots Project, a pilot project of the Urban Woods and Prairies (UWP) Initiative, is a collaboration between Audubon, North Dakota State University, and the Fargo Park District to couple on-the-ground conservation and environmental education. Building on the success of the UWP Initiative, the Urban Pollinator Plot Project will establish small urban plantings to simultaneously grow native pollinator-friendly plants and community understanding of habitat needs of pollinators. Across 50 acres within six urban sites, Audubon and partners will plant high-diversity native seed mixes, flush with species such as echinacea, blazing star, purple prairie clover, and multiple milkweed species. North Dakota State University and Audubon will co-host volunteer opportunities aimed at education and hands-on stewardship experience through invasive species control, seed harvesting, and even prescribed fire. Audubon is grateful for the invaluable partnerships and conservation progress this project represents.
Enhancing and Restoring Monarch Habitat in Eastern Nebraska
Audubon Nebraska was awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to improve habitat for the Regal Fritillary and Monarch Butterfly species on public and private working lands in eastern Nebraska. In partnership with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Crane Trust, Prairie Plains Resource Institute, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon plans to use grant funds to improve 5,180 acres, restore 340 acres, propagate 2,000 milkweed seedlings, collect 110 pounds of milkweed seed, and host a pollinator habitat workshop for Nebraska community members, conservation professionals, and landowners.
