Montana’s Northern Great Plains once supported huge herds of bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, and many other species. Today, this grassland ecosystem is one of the most threatened in the world. American Prairie is working to protect and restore this unique landscape by assembling one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in the United States.
Through a mix of public and private lands, the organization is creating 3.2 million acres of connected habitat—an area large enough to support healthy wildlife populations and restore natural ecological processes.
To encourage coexistence between people and wildlife, American Prairie partners with private landowners who host trail cameras on their property. These cameras capture images of species such as coyotes, elk, pronghorn, wolves, and even grizzly bears.
Landowners receive payments based on the wildlife recorded on their land. This helps them see wildlife as an asset and supports conservation on working ranchlands.
American Prairie collects hundreds of thousands of trail camera photos every year. Volunteers help by reviewing images and identifying the animals that appear. Your work directly contributes to:
Recording which species are present on the prairie
Helping landowners receive wildlife incentive payments
Supporting conservation decisions and tracking species diversity over time
Your contributions make a real impact on wildlife conservation. Every correct identification helps scientists understand the health of the ecosystem and supports landowners who are helping protect it. This project strengthens human–wildlife coexistence and advances conservation across the Great Plains.
By participating, you join a long-term conservation effort working to rebuild one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems. Your time helps protect wildlife, support local communities, and preserve the prairie for future generations.
