American Prairie

The APF, working with the World Wildlife Fund, envisions what eventually will be a 3.5 million-acre public-private prairie reserve rich with hundreds of bison, prairie dog towns and black-footed ferrets.

This country has wonders untold…

"We believe you can do more for conservation with money than without money," says Michael Ford, southwest director for the Arlington, Va.-based Conservation Fund. "We believe we’ve helped create a brand of conservationism that engages all Americans. And you do that by involving the private sector – foundations, major corporations, etc. – as partners. There are other models that work, but we like this model and so do our partners.

"They’re an important tool for grassland conservation in this part of the world and are part of the original ecosystem,"

"No plan has been put in place to channel future growth into areas that are most appropriate," he said. "We’re seeing rampant suburban-style growth, and that’s not the model we want. Suburban growth is synonymous with car-dependent cities and the disappearance of green space and quality of life as you know it in Post Falls."

"No plan has been put in place to channel future growth into areas that are most appropriate," he said. "We’re seeing rampant suburban-style growth, and that’s not the model we want. Suburban growth is synonymous with car-dependent cities and the disappearance of green space and quality of life as you know it in Post Falls."

While the controversy and science surrounding the environmental impacts of grazing continues, 1000 Friends based this project on the premise that unfettered rural sprawl damages both ranching and the environment.

Elephants roaming North Dakota? Free-range camels and lions a couple hours’ drive from Denver or Oklahoma City?

“The Emptying Out of the Plains” doesn’t take positions on these issues, or point fingers, or advocate a master plan. It simply shows what‚s happening, sharing the joys and challenges of prairie life with its viewers.

"We want to promote these areas as great opportunities,” Proctor said.