The American Prairie Foundation is piecing together 500,000 acres of privately owned land across the Great Plains to join with three million acres of public land in forming one of the world’s largest wildlife reserves.
The American Prairie Foundation (APF) is undertaking an unprecedented challenge: assembling one of America’s largest public parks using private donations. Unlike other national parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, which were created by acts of Congress, APF is seeking to raise $500 million to fund the American Prairie Reserve (APR), “a nearly unbroken expanse of pristine grasslands from Montana to Canada,” reports Michael J. Coren.
With the creation of the reserve, Sean Gerrity, president of the APF, hopes to restore “the ecological balance of the Great Plain’s wildlife,” says Coren. “Most people feel preserving nature at ecological scale is a losing battle. So to contribute to some [sic] where it looks like nature is going to win is exciting,” Gerrity adds.
Gerrity's main inspiration for transforming the Great Plains comes from New York's beloved Central Park; with the APR, he envisions "creat[ing] something so valued, and cherished, that it’s hard to mess with."
So far, APF has reached about a quarter of its $500 million fundraising goal.
FULL STORY: A Park The Size Of Connecticut Is Being Carved Out Of The Great Plains
COVID: Colorado Activates Partial Crisis Standards of Care
In a sign that the pandemic is far from over, Colorado reactivated its crisis standards of care for staffing of health care systems on Nov. 9 as infections increased modestly nationwide. Gov. Polis made all vaccinated adults eligible for a booster.
Look to the Old Confederacy, not the Coasts, for America's Economic Revival
Accounting for 45% of America's land mass and 30% of its population, the Great Plains, the Intermountain West, the Gulf states, and the Southeastern industrial belt are key to a national revival, says a new report from the Manhattan Institute.
Biofuel Boom Threatens Life on the Plains
A new study finds that high commodity prices and a biofuels rush have led to rates of grassland loss in America's northern Plains “comparable to deforestation rates in Brazil, Malaysia, and Indonesia.” Brad Plumer discusses the impacts.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards
The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.
Honolulu Community College Celebrates Culture and Sustainability
Honolulu Community College brought together more than 320 students, staff, and community members for a day of Hawaiian cultural activities, music, and sustainability-focused learning at its annual Hoʻolauleʻa celebration.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions