Join us in safeguarding vital prairie habitats for endangered species
Protecting the
Great Plains
Prairie Wildlife Research
Making a Difference Throughout the Great Plains
Prairie Wildlife Research, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is committed to preserving prairie species, focusing on the endangered black-footed ferret and black-tailed prairie dog. Partnering with agencies, universities, and landowners, we conduct research that guides responsible wildlife management across the Great Plains.
Dedicated to Prairie Wildlife Conservation
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Preserving the Great Plains for Future Generations
Habitat & Species
The Great Plains is home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered black-footed ferret and black-tailed prairie dog. Prairie Wildlife Research works to protect these species and their habitats through research, conservation efforts, and collaboration with federal and state agencies, universities, private landowners, and other non-governmental organizations across the region.
A Vast and Vital Ecosystem
Spanning millions of acres, the Great Plains prairie supports countless wildlife species. Conservation efforts focus on protecting this unique and fragile ecosystem.
Endangered North American Mammals
Once thought extinct, black-footed ferrets rely on prairie dog colonies for survival. Conservation and reintroduction efforts are critical to their future.
A Keystone Species of the Prairie
Prairie dogs play a vital role in the ecosystem, creating habitats for other wildlife. Protecting them helps maintain the balance of the Great Plains.
conservation and research efforts
What We Do
Black-footed ferrets were declared extinct in the wild by the late 1980s, but captive breeding has led to the release of over 4,500 ferrets into prairie dog colonies since 1991. Prairie Wildlife Research plays a key role in monitoring populations and translocating wild-born ferrets, working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife, states, tribes, and other partners to ensure their survival.
Prairie Wildlife Research
Who We Are
PWR works throughout the Great Plains with federal and state agencies, universities, private landowners, and other non-governmental organizations to conduct timely, economical, and quality studies and projects that contribute to sound management decisions for all wildlife species inhabiting the prairie.
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The Fascinating World of Black-Footed Ferrets
Discover one of North America’s rarest mammals and the efforts to bring them back from the brink. A Species Once Thought Extinct Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) were once believed to be extinct, until a small population was rediscovered in Wyoming in 1981. This sparked intense conservation efforts that continue to this day. Why Black-Footed Ferrets…
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