2022 Awards - Special Recognition (Kevin Kading & Greg Link)

This year the Board decided special recognition was deserved for two individuals that have gone above and beyond for the natural resources of our state, specifically our prairie grasslands. These individuals had a vision to promote and create healthy, thriving grasslands that provide biodiversity and prosperity for wildlife, pollinators, ranching operations and communities. We all know the need, the Western Meadowlark, our State Bird, is declining 1.3% per year. We’ve seen a 53% population loss in grassland birds since 1970, 72% of our native prairies has been converted to other uses, the number of cattle ranches is declining by 1% per year, 1 out of 4 bumble bee species are at risk of extinction within the next 50 years, and 60% of our nearly 5 million acres of wetlands have been converted or lost. We need our prairies not only for the ecological services they provide, but for our wellbeing - and they need our help. 

These two individuals rose to that call for help and have led in the development of an initiative that has strengthened our conservation partnerships across the State and created an concerted effort by all to bring back our grasslands. These individuals brought together partners including USDA-NRCS, US Fish and Wildlife Service, ND Natural Resources Trust, Audubon Dakota, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, The Mule Deer Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, ND Grazing Lands Coalition, Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, Ecological Insights, World Wildlife Fund, Millborn Seeds, and the Xerces Society. This massive collaboration brings $12.4 million to the table from partner match and another $7.1 million awarded from the NRCS through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant. These funds will allow partners to provide landowners programs and practices to help protect, establish, and manage diverse native perennial grasses, install grazing infrastructure, and develop working grasslands for sustainable livestock grazing, all accessed in a one-stop-shop under the Meadowlark Initiative. 

We are proud to award Kevin Kading and Greg Link with the Chapter’s Special Award for their work to protect our grassland resources. We know the weight is heavy, the frustrations many, but you two have rose to the occasion for such an important resource. Thank you.