The Mountain-Prairie Region consists of 8 states in the heart of the American west including Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. The region is defined by three distinct landscapes. In the east lie the central and northern Great Plains, primarily the vast mixed- and short-grass prairies. To the west rise the Rocky Mountains and the intermountain areas beyond the Continental Divide, including parts of the sprawling Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin. The northeastern part of the Region contains millions of shallow wetlands known as the “prairie potholes,” which produce a large portion of the continent’s waterfowl.
Some of the nation’s greatest rivers rise in the Region including the Missouri, Colorado, and Platte rivers. The fish and wildlife that make their home on the Region’s prairies and in its mountains are among the nation’s most iconic species: grizzly bear, gray wolf, the American bison, and cutthroat trout.
People, too, live here and are an active presence on the land. The Region includes 40 Indian Tribes, many of whom manage large land holdings, as do other federal agencies such as the Department of Defense. Energy development, agricultural trends and urbanization all exert influences on the Region’s landscapes.
Some of the nation’s greatest rivers rise in the Region including the Missouri, Colorado, and Platte rivers. The fish and wildlife that make their home on the Region’s prairies and in its mountains are among the nation’s most iconic species: grizzly bear, gray wolf, the American bison, and cutthroat trout.
People, too, live here and are an active presence on the land. The Region includes 40 Indian Tribes, many of whom manage large land holdings, as do other federal agencies such as the Department of Defense. Energy development, agricultural trends and urbanization all exert influences on the Region’s landscapes.
Latest News
Climate Change
Building upon the success of the 2022-2023 Climate Change and Climate Adaptation Training Series for Grasslands Practitioners, in 2023-2024 the Service with multiple US Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) to develop and deliver another climate adaptation training series...
Our Partners
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Office of Conservation Investment is seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment regarding a proposal from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) to dispose of the Federal encumbrance on the Hydro #2 Game Production...
Our Partners
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s (NDGFD) proposed construction of Hankinson Shooting Range in Richland County, North Dakota.
Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the distinct population segment of the wolverine in the contiguous U.S. as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Service is also issuing an interim rule under section 4(d) of the ESA to exempt the take of wolverines related to...
Our Partners
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s (WGFD) proposed disposal of Teton Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) in Teton...
Land Management
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced the establishment of the Wyoming Toad Conservation Area in Wyoming and the Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee as the 569th and 570th units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife...