-Campaign Successes-
In March 2004, the Friends of the Missouri River closed on its first land protection project along the west side of the Missouri River north of Bismarck, in the view shed of the Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site. A second land protection project was completed in March 2005, a third project is scheduled to be completed in March 2006. The owners put the properties under a non-development easement, which prohibits real estate development but allows full agricultural use, thus preserving open space and the scenic, cultural, historic and wildlife values of the area.  This was accomplished in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, significant landowner’s donation toward the easement value, and through funds from the Natural Resources Trust, ND Conservation Fund and Foundation, Dacotah Chapter of the Sierra Club, ND Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and numerous donations by supportive citizens.
With these successful easement accomplished, the Friends of the Missouri River is looking at other land protection opportunities in the area, which would require an additional $2.5 million in combined federal and private contributions, along with additional landowner donations.	USDA Photo