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American Prairie Field Notes
Field Notes is American Prairie's local newsletter, connecting our neighbors and community members with up-to-date information and ways to engage.
Common Ground
Throughout the world in which we live, our emotions and experiences are encased in the landscapes we occupy.
American Prairie Purchases 73 Ranch
American Prairie is pleased to announce the purchase of the wildlife-rich 73 Ranch, located along the eastern side of the Musselshell River in Garfield and Petroleum Counties, Montana.
Announcing a New Look for American Prairie
The changes to our brand image are inspired by the endless possibility we find on the prairie, by the promise of an unbroken horizon, by bold-but-achievable ideas, and by the unfathomable pull the prairie has on people and its importance to this planet.
Historic Cow Creek Property Adds Crucial Wildlife Habitat
American Prairie celebrates our 32nd land transaction with the purchase of 800 acres along Cow Creek. Located in Blaine County and within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, this parcel brings American Prairie’s total deeded and leased acres to 420,425.
Hunting and Conservation
Humans are and have always been active participants in this ecosystem, and one of the most historically significant roles we have played is that of the hunter.
Smithsonian 2020 Research Recap
After a busy year in the field, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute ecologists Hila Shamon, Ph.D. and Andy Boyce, Ph.D. sat down with American Prairie Wildlife Restoration Manager Daniel Kinka, Ph.D. to reflect on their work in 2020 and to discuss how this unique partnership is advancing our understanding of the prairie ecosystem.
Last Wild Places: Rewilding the Americas
Join National Geographic, American Prairie, and Iberá National Park for a virtual screening of two short films, "Last Wild Places: American Prairie Reserve" and "Last Wild Places: Iberá National Park."
Gumbo
There is one thing that will stop any prairie traveler in its tracks: gumbo.
A Prairie Autumn
The prairie is a land of contrasts, and autumn accentuates changes — both subtle and drastic — to the land and wildlife.
Partnering to Benefit Ecosystem Restoration
American Prairie’s bison conservation work encompasses many facets, from ensuring proper herd sizes and effective range management, to disease testing, state and federal compliance, and continuous research to better understand this species’ crucial role in a grassland ecosystem.
Hands-On Conservation: Bison Handling
Bison are considered a keystone species, which means other species in an ecosystem rely on them. As such, American Prairie’s bison restoration goals also support many of the organization’s other goals of ecological health for the grasslands of north central Montana.
Through the Breaks
Join custom wooden boat builder Jason Cajune and his family on a float trip down the Missouri River, through the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument to American Prairie.
A New Frontier
American Prairie purchases the historic Power Mercantile Building in downtown Lewistown, Montana. The building will be the future home of the National Discovery Center.
Fencing on American Prairie
A common misconception about American Prairie is that we don’t have fences. In fact, the we have nearly 600 miles of fence across our management units.
A Prairie Triathlon
American Prairie Reserve’s Young Professional Leadership Network (YPLN) shares experiences from their third annual Reserve trip.
Moving Bison
Get an up close look at the "bison move" – the process that we use to move bison to new areas of American Prairie properties and to other herds across the country.
American Prairie Partners with Strauss Brands
A national leader in ethical and sustainable livestock practices, Strauss forged a strategic partnership to both source livestock from The Reserve’s Wild Sky® ranch partners and support The Reserve.
Learning on the Land
Exploring north-central Montana in the fall offers unexpected weather conditions as well as breathtaking views of a landscape in transition.
3 Books to Fuel Your Wanderlust
Whether you’re hitting the road this year or looking for inspiration from the comfort of your front porch, these new books will motivate you to start planning your next adventure.
Frozen In History
Visiting this iconic river throughout the year is a poignant reminder of all the natural and cultural legacies that are at the heart of this region.
In a Sea of Sage & Snow
Big sagebrush is a critical part of life on the prairie, especially when there isn’t much for wildlife like pronghorn to munch on above the snow.
Racking Up Points
Named for their stocky build and sizable ears, mule deer are easily distinguishable from white-tailed deer by the black tip of their tails.
Larry Saves the Prairie
In Larry Saves the Prairie, author Matt Bergles and illustrator Rob Peters share the true and inspiring story of Kansas wildlife champion Larry Haverfield.
The Dance of the Grouse
Male dancers are intent on finding their mate and use their stiff-wing, foot-stomping, tail-shaking moves to draw attention from females in the audience.
8 Tips for Prairie Photography
Photographer Morgan Cardiff captured the landscape, animals, and fellow travelers in ways that only he could – exploring the most remote parts of the project.
Songs of Spring
Chestnut-collared Longspurs have begun their return to the Northern Plains for breeding season and to raise their young.
Stop the Car!
Our time on APR was more than a road-trip. It was a life altering experience that left me with total appreciation for the project.
In Praise of Silence
The Reserve could be one of the quietest places in North America, maybe the world — no easy feat in a world as crowded, busy, and technologically advanced as ours.
A Visit from the Air
New York-based photographer Erik Goldstein travelled to the Reserve in early autumn to help us capture the landscape in one of the most inspiring ways imaginable: from the air.
Prairie Dogs Build Diversity Across the Plains
Black-tailed prairie dogs are helpful homebuilders, gardeners and gourmet meals according to recently published research in Conservation Biology. Read the interview with author Dr. David J. Augustine.
Hunting Trips of a Ranchman
Theodore Roosevelt’s colorful memoirs of hunting trips on the Northern Great Plains are arguably the first and foremost guide for sportsmen visiting the region.
A Vastly Exposed Place of Concealment
My friend and I arrived at the Buffalo Camp on the American Prairie Reserve around mid-day on Saturday greeted by the solitude of an empty campground (but for a group of five bull bison grazing nearby).
The Ways of My Grand Mothers
Through personal anecdotes and vivid stories, Beverly Hungry Wolf takes readers into the life of a Blackfoot community in The Ways of My Grandmothers.
Prairie: A Natural History
Candace Savage leaves the reader with a deep appreciation of the magnificent complexity of prairies and the importance of conserving them for future generations.
On the Rez
Ian Frazier recounts his experiences among modern-day American Indians, particularly the Ogalala Sioux living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Winter in the Blood
Welch’s first novel, Winter in the Blood, is the sensitive story of a young Native American living on Montana’s Fort Belknap Reservation.
Built for Speed
Byers gift is his ability to describe a year in the life of an animal in such a way that you develop a kinship with that animal that will last a lifetime.
Last Child In The Woods
Richard Louv offers optimistic and inspiring ideas on how we as adults can affect society by helping kids have more frequent and meaningful experiences in nature.