The Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF) has received a $543,500 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Northern Great Plains Program to help landowners in western South Dakota convert low-yielding or flood-prone cropland into native grasslands — supporting both wildlife and working ranch operations.
Through 10-year voluntary agreements, the program offers landowners a way to get more value from acres that consistently struggle in row crop production, while contributing to statewide conservation goals.
“This is about putting the right acres to the right use,” said Elysabeth Kierl, Executive Director of SCHF. “We’re not taking land out of production — we’re helping landowners manage it differently, in a way that benefits their bottom line and South Dakota’s wildlife.”
Unlike traditional land retirement programs, SCHF’s model is built for working lands. After a one-year establishment period, enrolled acres may be grazed or hayed — either on half the field annually or the full field every other year.
The program focuses on marginal acres — such as those with saline soils, regular flooding, or poor return on inputs — and gives preference to fields adjacent to existing grasslands to maximize habitat impact.
Participants receive:
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$450/acre total over 10 years
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$75/acre in high-diversity, site-specific native seed
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Biologist support for planning, seeding, and long-term management
The restored grasslands will provide vital habitat for many native species, including:
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Grassland birds like the Greater Prairie-Chicken, Baird’s Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark
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Big game like Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, and Pronghorn Antelope
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Upland birds and pollinators, including grouse, pheasants and native bees
By focusing on habitat connectivity and forb-rich native mixes, the program also improves soil health, carbon storage, water retention, and forage quality — delivering measurable environmental and economic benefits.
SCHF’s Working Lands Program has already restored more than 13,000 acres across South Dakota. With this NFWF grant, the organization will restore another 1,000 acres in key areas of western South Dakota — with over 600 acres already shovel-ready.
“This is a conservation model that works — because it works for producers,” said Kierl. “It’s flexible, it’s voluntary, and it’s already making a difference on the ground.”
Landowners interested in this program are encouraged to contact their local Private Lands Habitat Biologist for more information and to explore eligibility. Find your habitat advisor here: https://habitat.sd.gov/ADVISORS.
Learn more at www.sdhabitatfund.com.
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