Neu's Point State WMA

Bismarck ND - (December 12, 2003) The Conservation Fund, in partnership with the American Foundation for Wildlife, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced today the establishment of the Neu's Point State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers in northwestern North Dakota. The acquisition protects more than 400 acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat and historical property associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The project also launches a multi-million dollar conservation initiative that seeks to preserve land of high historical and environmental value along river corridors in North Dakota.

"Much of the land at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers appears as it did when Lewis and Clark first arrived," said The Conservation Fund's president, Larry Selzer. "The establishment of the Neu's Point WMA will ensure that the natural, historic and cultural values of the area are permanently protected for current and future generations."

The confluence area supports one of the most viable populations of paddlefish anywhere in the nation and provides the best remaining habitat in the world for the endangered pallid sturgeon, as well as habitat for other endangered species including the piping plover and the least tern. The waters of the confluence are considered among the most biologically important in North Dakota as the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers support important nesting and migration habitat for hundreds of species of migratory and resident birds.

The above information was provided by The Conservation Fund,
101 W. 6th Street, Ste. 601, Austin, TX 78701.

Top photo submitted by buckmaster.