Working across boundaries to conserve our shared nature

Western Meadowlark singing, Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Photo credit: Ed Boggess

image of a dam extending into the water

Who We Are

The Midwest Landscape Initiative is a collaboration of fish & wildlife organizations that identifies shared conservation priorities to develop solutions for healthy, functioning ecosystems in the Midwest.
image of a dam extending into the water

Midwest Conservation Blueprint

A basemap of priority lands and waters for conservation in the region.
image of a dam extending into the water

Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need

This project identified species of high regional concern and collaborative opportunity.

Where We Work

We identify shared conservation priorities and develop solutions for healthy, functioning ecosystems in the Midwest. The MLI is working across boundaries to conserve our shared nature through coordinated planning, actionable science, and collaborative conservation.

Current Work

The Midwest Landscape Initiative is engaging across the Midwest on a number of issues:

  • Rolling out and supporting use of the Midwest Conservation Blueprint
  • Using the RSGCN database to coordinate conservation planning for species on the National Listing Workplan
  • Developing dashboard tools and other resources for cross-boundary coordination around State Wildlife Action Plans
  • Continuing to facilitate regional coordination for grant funding opportunities

Learn more on the Our Work page, and explore our data products in detail on the Midwest Conservation Action Portal.

Close-up, abstract view of architecture.Northern Riffleshell Mussel. Photo Credit: Indiana DNR

MLI News

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Opening 780 miles of river across two states, the Midwest Conservation Blueprint

Opening 780 miles of river across two states, the Midwest Conservation Blueprint

Writing grant applications, coordinating among multiple partners and adapting to ever-changing project details can be overwhelming experiences for many of us. In spring of 2024, one group of partners realized success as they activated the assistance of the Midwest Landscape Initiative and used the Midwest Conservation Blueprint as evidence to help attract funding for their […]

Introducing the Midwest Conservation Blueprint

Introducing the Midwest Conservation Blueprint

Collaborative conservation takes time, and our investments pay off when we find shared priorities and create tools to help us make better decisions. We are excited to share that the Midwest Conservation Blueprint is now available to assist collaborative, landscape conservation efforts across the Midwest. The Midwest Conservation Blueprint is a base map of priority lands and […]

Blueprint Webinars

Blueprint Webinars

The Midwest Landscape Initiative (MLI) hosted an introductory webinar about the Midwest Conservation Blueprint on October 11, 2023. View this to get started using the blueprint. When questions arise or you are interested in learning more, check out our schedule below to attend additional webinars, meet the creators, and connect with other users. A recording […]

Around the Web

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