A major boost for America’s grasslands: the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has secured $4 million through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative. The funding will help expand voluntary, large-scale conservation efforts on working lands across the country.
MDF is among the first organizations selected for this new initiative, which aims to enhance the health and durability of 4 million acres of grasslands and grazing lands spanning the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain West, Midwest, West Coast, and Southeast. Led by NFWF, the program is backed by McDonald’s USA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and key suppliers in McDonald’s beef and beverage network. Its focus includes regenerative grazing, improved soil health, habitat restoration, and water conservation across working ranches.
“Ranchers throughout the Midwest and West have long played a vital role in managing native grasslands that support both wildlife and local economies,” said Greg Sheehan, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “With support from NFWF and its partners, this initiative empowers landowners to apply regenerative practices that strengthen soil, sustain ranching operations, and protect some of our most at-risk ecosystems.”
With this investment, MDF will collaborate with private landowners in priority areas of the Great Plains to carry out voluntary, on-the-ground conservation work. These efforts are designed to improve ecosystem health, support ranch productivity, and increase habitat connectivity for mule deer, pronghorn, and other species.
“Effective grassland conservation happens when the land, wildlife, and ranchers all benefit,” said Collin Smith, Director of Private Land Conservation at MDF. “By improving forage, reconnecting habitat, and reducing fragmentation, we can support both ranching operations and wildlife populations. This program gives us the scale and flexibility to achieve those outcomes across the Great Plains.”
Grasslands are a key part of mule deer habitat across their range, particularly in the Great Plains. Thoughtful grazing management supports forage availability, migration routes, and overall herd health, making conservation on working lands a central part of MDF’s mission.
About the Mule Deer Foundation
The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on conserving mule deer, black-tailed deer, and the habitats they rely on. Through science-driven management, partnerships, and community engagement, MDF works to sustain healthy wildlife populations and connected landscapes for the future.
About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) partners with public and private organizations to advance conservation solutions that benefit both people and nature. Established by Congress in 1984, NFWF has become the nation’s largest conservation foundation, supporting more than 23,900 projects and generating over $12 billion in conservation impact.