Great Plains Trail Friends and Associates
The next few GPTA blog post will feature organizations that are associated, in one way or another, with the Great Plains Trail. These are not necessarily affiliates or endorsed entities, but they all play some role in the development of our great long distance trail. The purpose of these blog posts is to provide further information about groups that we admire and hope to work with in the future. For example, today’s blog post is about the American Prairie Reserve (APR). GPTA is not an official sponsor of this organization nor are they a sponsor of us. However, both of our organizations are big fans of America’s prairies, grasslands and plains.
American Prairie Reserve
The American Prairie Reserve (APR) is a non-profit organization based in Bozeman, Montana, that is working to create a wildlife reserve in northeastern Montana that would eventually encompass more than 3 million acres of native grasslands, one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet.
The reserve is being established by purchasing private ranch lands and working with public land managers to create a contiguous wildlife habitat. The goal of the APR is to restore the prairie ecosystem to its natural state and reintroduce native species that have been lost or threatened, such as bison, pronghorn antelope, and black-footed ferrets.
The APR has acquired more than 100,000 acres of land to date, and aims to eventually acquire additional lands from willing sellers, working with local communities and ranchers to create a sustainable and mutually beneficial landscape.
In addition to habitat restoration and species reintroduction, the APR aims to provide public access for recreation, education, and scientific research. The reserve is open to the public for activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and birding.
The American Prairie Reserve is a unique conservation initiative that seeks to restore and protect a vital ecosystem while also supporting local communities and economies.
