Chase Lake Prairie Project facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chase Lake Prairie Project
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Chase Lake Prairie Project Location in the United States
Location	North Dakota, USA
Nearest city	Medina, ND
Area	5,500,000 acres (22,000 km2)
Established	May, 1989
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Chase Lake Prairie Project

The Chase Lake Prairie Project is a big effort to protect and bring back a special area in the United States. This area is the largest remaining place for waterfowl (like ducks and geese) to raise their young. It's located in North Dakota and covers a huge area of about 5.5 million acres. That's like 8,500 square miles!

This region has thousands of lakes, ponds, and wide-open grasslands. Most of the land (97%) is owned by private citizens, like farmers and ranchers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works closely with these landowners. Together, they protect the important wetlands and prairies. This teamwork helps make sure millions of birds and other wildlife have a safe home.

Protecting the Prairie Home

The Chase Lake Prairie Project works to keep this area healthy for the future. They use smart ways to manage the land. For example, ranchers and farmers are encouraged to plant native grasses. These are plants that naturally grow in the area. They also move their cattle regularly. This stops the animals from eating too much grass in one spot, which is called overgrazing.

Another important part of the project is restoring wetlands. Many wetlands were drained in the past. The project helps bring them back. They also work to prevent too much hunting. They also manage animals like coyotes and foxes. This helps keep the balance of nature.

A History of Helping Wildlife

In the 1980s, the Chase Lake area faced big problems. There were several droughts, which means not enough rain. Also, many wetlands were purposely drained. This greatly reduced the homes for birds and other wildlife. It hurt the populations of many different bird species.

To fix this, the United States and Canada teamed up. In 1986, they signed an agreement called the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This plan was about working together to restore damaged wetlands.

In 1987, a project called the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture started. It aimed to protect the Prairie Pothole Region. This region includes parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, and Iowa. Then, in May 1989, the Chase Lake Prairie Project officially began.

By 2005, the project had made great progress. Over 2,000 wetland areas were set aside or restored. Some landowners also signed agreements to protect habitat on their land. This ongoing effort helps bring the region back to its natural state. It also makes sure that farmers and ranchers can still use their land productively.