Badlands Conservation Alliance

06/01/2026

Monday shout-out to Russell Rhodes, TRNP N. Unit, for leading the Saturday morning bird walk in Juniper Campground on the Little Mo Nature Trail. The BCC had a memorable experience. BCC crew member Taryn Wagner, Penn State University, is a fantastic photographer & birder. A few of her photos for your viewing are included. Our bird list from the day:
Ring necked pheasant
Wild turkey
Rock pigeon
Mourning dove
Turkey vulture
Bald eagle
Black billed magpie
Red headed wood pe**er
Northern flicker
Eastern kingbird
Eastern warbling vireo
Red eyed vireo
American crow
Eastern bluebird
American Robin
Gray catbird
Cedar waxwing
American goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field sparrow
Spotted towhee
Yellow breasted chat
Western meadowlark
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Common grackle
Common yellowthroat
Northern yellow warbler
Lazuli bunting
House sparrow
Least flycatcher
Northern house wren

Join Russell each Saturday at 8am in Juniper Campground for a bird walk!

06/01/2026

2026 Badlands Conservation Corps AmeriCorps field crew week #1 is in the books. Thanks to LMNG FS Jeff Davis & Alex Menard, & LMNG FS McKenzie Co. and BCA & MDHTA members Roger & Pat Ashley. The BCC completed brushing, trimming, and installed 50 fence posts up at Birnt Hills in 90 degrees and high winds. Next week we will be in TRNP So. Unit & finish the week at Buffalo Gap w/our friends at US FS. Join us next Saturday, June 6th, for National Trails Day at Buffalo Gap. Be part of the solution to benefit our beloved Badlands. Join Badlands Conservation Alliance as a member and support the BCC. Thank you!

05/30/2026

Join us & FS friends next week at Buffalo Gap Campground west of Medora!

05/29/2026

I’m guessing almost all of my regular readers have visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota’s Bad Lands. And I’m also guessing that most of you have stopped at the Painted Canyon Vi…

05/29/2026

We support TRNHA!

You've likely heard the rumors, read a blog or social media post, and visited park visitor centers noticing we are no longer there. May 31st, will be our last day of sales in Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit Visitor Center. It's true, our agreement with the National Park Service has been terminated for the convenience of the federal government. You might be wondering what this means and why it happened. Rest assured, you're not alone; we were caught off guard earlier this month when we received our 30-day notice to vacate by June 6th.

A wave of panic, heartbreak, anger, and every emotion imaginable swept through our Board and Staff before we could fully process the news. After taking a deep breath or six, we are respecting the decision to end our 74-year partnership and wish them the best of luck.

So, what does this mean for TRNHA and our members? We’re happy to say that we’re not going away. We believe our mission of supporting and funding educational programs, historical preservation, and scientific research remains important, so we’re pivoting and finding an new way to do it.

Next week, our Board of Directors will convene to reevaluate our mission and plan our next steps. We have secured a store location in Medora and will be releasing more details soon, with the aim of opening by June 6th. We will continue to offer the same great merchandise and provide discounts for our and other public lands association members.

Stay tuned for the announcement of our new mission and details about our GRAND OPENING!
Medora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Medora Chamber of Commerce Theodore Roosevelt National Park

05/16/2026

Important listen w/the discussions around Data Centers in North Dakota

Our AI future lives inside miles and miles of windowless data centers spreading across the US. Communities trying to fight back are on their own.

05/15/2026

In administrative cases before DOI, Interior Secretary Burgum intervened to make policy changes that involved or benefited the former legal clients of Karen Budd-Falen, one of his top deputies.

05/15/2026

Join BCA to preserve & protect what’s left of our Little Missouri & Sheyenne National Grasslands

Among the most at-risk ecosystems on Earth, grasslands offer climate solutions, vital habitat and a way of life.

05/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CDFzTQ9KU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/12/2026

A spokesperson for Sen. Martin Heinrich confirmed the Monday vote was procedural and a final vote is forthcoming.