Western Meadowlark singing, Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Photo credit: Ed Boggess
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.
The Midwest Landscape Initiative is engaging across the Midwest on a number of issues:
Learn more on the Our Work page, and explore our data products in detail on the Midwest Conservation Action Portal.
Northern Riffleshell Mussel. Photo Credit: Indiana DNR
Image caption: Spring at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. Jessica Bolser/USFWS Spring is almost here, which means it’s time for more Midwest Landscape Initiative webinars! Throughout the spring and summer of 2025, the MLI is hosting webinars on a variety of topics. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Please register using the links […]
Image Caption: Bare Bluff overlooking Lake Superior. Courtney Celley/USFWS In 2025-2026, the Midwest Landscape Initiative is expanding the Midwest Conservation Blueprint to include the nearshore waters of the Great Lakes. Overview The Great Lakes is one of the world’s most treasured freshwater systems and is pivotal to human lives and livelihoods, including drinking water for […]
Kelly VanBeek will serve as the first U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Midwest Grassland and Native Seed Strategy Coordinator starting October 6th. In this role, Kelly will support collaborative grassland conservation and management actions across multiple sectors, including habitat, agriculture, and ecosystem services, and will provide coordination around native seed development, distribution, and use across […]
