Prairie Habitat Joint Venture

Collaborative

Conservation in Action

Fostering Lasting Relationships

We believe in fostering lasting relationships built on trust and respect with diverse partners who share a common vision, as well as a sustained commitment to conservation – for migratory birds, the environment and for people.

40 Years of Conservation Partnerships

Forty years ago, North American waterfowl were in serious decline. Today, most populations are thriving — doing better than any other group of birds on the continent. This film tells the story of how three nations chose collaboration over crisis, and what four decades of partnership have built: millions of acres restored, ecosystems sustained, and communities connected to the landscapes they depend on.
The PHJV was one of the first Joint Ventures established after the NAWMP’s inception. Through key conservation partnerships, a foundation of science, focus on policy, and lessons from human dimensions research we have worked hard to achieve our conservation goals and meet the delivery needs of the NAWMP.

The Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV) area includes two regions of Canada: the Prairie Parklands and the Western Boreal Forest (WBF).

Combined, these are the two most important breeding areas for waterfowl in North America. Achieving PHJV objectives is ambitious, and will be accomplished with strong partnerships, a common vision, and a sustained commitment – for migratory birds, the environment, and for people.

Two blue-winged teal drakes, swimming.

Check out the current issue of Habitat Matters & see the PHJV's Achievements Fact Sheet!

Success in Habitat and Waterfowl Conservation Since 1986

Prairie Parklands

The Prairie Parklands delivery area represents the Canadian extent of the vast Prairie Pothole Region, one of the richest, most diverse and unique wetland/grassland ecosystems in the world.

190.3 Million Acres

Delivery area

12.25 Million

Acres of Wetlands

13.5 Million

Breeding Ducks
(10 Yr Average)

Breeding Grounds for One Third

of the continental waterfowl populations

41 Million

Acres of grasslands (native and non-native)

64

Priority Shorebird, Waterbird, & Landbird Species, many in decline

Western Boreal Forest

Western Boreal Forest delivery area is second only to the Prairie Pothole Region in its importance to breeding waterfowl.

3 Million km2

Delivery area

262.5 Million

Acres of wetlands

11.5 Million

Breeding Ducks
(10 Yr Average)

47%

of delivery area is classified as waterfowl habitat

99

Wetland or forest associated species
(60% in recent decline)

Map Legend

North American Waterfowl Management Plan

In 1986, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) partnership was founded with the goal to restore waterfowl populations to 1970s numbers by implementing conservation projects across priority landscapes in Canada and the United States – Mexico joined in 1994.

One of the continent’s first priority landscapes was Canada’s Prairie Parkland Region, where as much as one third of the continental waterfowl populations breed. The Western Boreal Forest (WBF) has been acknowledged as second only to the Prairie Pothole Region as an important waterfowl breeding area.

Prairie Habitat Joint Venture

The Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV) partnership was formed in 1986 and further expanded into the Western Boreal Forest in the early 2000s.

The PHJV was created under NAWMP to implement habitat conservation programs across the Prairie Parklands and the Western Boreal Forest.

2021-2025 Implementation Plans

The PHJV’s planning, implementation and evaluation efforts are guided by a series of habitat implementation plans for the Prairie Parklands and Western Boreal Forest. Two separate plans were developed due to distinct land-tenure systems and conservation partners, as well as differing land-uses and conservation challenges.
PHJV Western Boreal Implementation Plan
PHJV Prairie Parklands Implementation Plan

Where Do Our Ducks Go?

By mapping data on waterfowl who have been banded and tracked, we have demonstrated the widespread contribution of the PHJV Provinces to North American waterfowl harvest. You can see the proportion of harvested ducks originating in various states and provinces on our Band Returns page.

Prairie Mallards Enjoying an Arkansas Wetland

Jake Latendresse (Latendresse Media Collective)

Decades of Success in Habitat and Waterfowl Conservation

Connecting people through Sound Science at the Landscape Level using a partnership approach