Charles M. Russel NWR, Montana, USA Photograph by Rick Graetz/ USFWS   Canada and United States: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   246,500 square miles (638,400 square kilometers) -- slightly smaller than Texas Critical/Endangered

· Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Bobcats, and Black-Tailed Deer
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Bobcats, and Black-Tailed Deer

The Northwestern Mixed Grasslands spread through four western U.S. states (Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming) and two Canadian provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan). In thousands of colonies (or "towns") across this ecoregion, black-tailed prairie dogs leave their burrows to forage on grasses and other plants. Sentinels chirp warnings when bobcats, coyotes, and hawks appear, and the prairie dogs disappear quickly into their burrows and wait for an "all clear" before reappearing. Black-tailed and white-tailed deer wander through the valleys and river terraces, grazing upon the abundant shrubs and resting under the cover of aspen and willow trees.

Special Features

A harsh winter climate, brief growing season, and severe droughts make this ecoregion distinct from neighboring grasslands. While more than 85 percent has been converted to livestock range and farming, efforts are being made to secure critical habitat and to reestablish populations of bison, black-footed ferrets, and swift foxes. The shores of alkaline lakes harbor a large breeding population of endangered piping plovers. A favorite area of this ecoregion for nature lovers is the wild, undammed lower Yellowstone River.

	Black-tailed prairie dogs share their burrows with a variety of other creatures, such as mountain plovers, burrowing owls, and even toads, salamanders, and rattlesnakes.

Wild Side

The great, shaggy bison that used to thunder through this region by the thousands now number considerably less. But they are bouncing back on private ranches and Native American lands. Short-horned lizards and western rattlesnakes make their homes in the mixed grasses. Hawks and golden eagles soar over the prairies, swooping down to dine on an abundance of prey, catching even speedy jackrabbits.

Cause for Concern

More than 95 percent of the ecoregion is now grazed by livestock or converted to dry-land farming. In the Canadian portion, only about two percent remains as intact habitat. Considerable potential exists for habitat recovery in some areas. However, oil and gas development and the creation of roads are threats on the Canadian side. Tame grazing and hay crops are increasingly replacing more native grasslands. A few exotic species have invaded, but more of the dominant plant species still remain on rangelands. Plants that survived intense grazing by bison remain today and can reestablish themselves when restoration efforts are carefully managed.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.