Apex Clean Energy

Since I spent my formative years in North Dakota, it’s personally gratifying—and okay, a little brag‑worthy—to see our Bowman Wind project now fully operational and making a real difference. One highlight is the $200,000 Bowman Wind conservation grant that’s delivering measurable benefits for the landscapes I grew up exploring. Some of my best outdoor memories come from hunting and wandering across North Dakota’s native grasslands, especially those in the Prairie Pothole Region. For anyone unfamiliar, this remarkable ecosystem of interspersed wetlands and grasslands formed after glaciers retreated about 10,000 years ago. They left a few million shallow basins that evolved into some of the world’s most productive waterfowl and grassland bird nesting habitats—producing fall flights of ducks and upland birds unrivaled anywhere on earth. When it came time to choose a conservation partner for Bowman Wind, Ducks Unlimited (DU) was the clear choice. Their Preserve Our Prairies Initiative has long focused on protecting and restoring wetlands and native grasslands across the region. Even better, their approach—working with landowners through voluntary, incentive-based programs—aligns perfectly with the goals of the Apex Clean Energy Conservation Grant Program. Our $200,000 Bowman Wind conservation grant was matched dollar-for-dollar by DU, bringing $400,000 total in conservation funding to the Prairie Pothole Region. With their experience and strong local relationships, DU was able to partner with willing farmers and ranchers to make tangible, lasting impacts: Easement Protection: Completed an 88-acre native grassland conservation easement, providing permanent protection for valuable bird nesting habitat. Grazing Enhancement: Designed and implemented an improved grazing system with a local ranching partner, enhancing 541 acres of grasslands and 91 acres of wetlands. In total, the Bowman Wind Conservation Grant enabled 720 acres of on-the-ground conservation in one of DU’s highest-priority landscapes. A huge thank-you to Ducks Unlimited and the farmers and ranchers who helped turn this partnership into success. Below are a couple photos from the Apex Environmental Team’s visit to DU’s Coteau Ranch—right in the heart of North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region.