Current Projects
Watershed Restoration
Due to a number of reasons- such as agricultural runoff, mismanaged grazing, fire suppression, beaver extermination, river straightening, draining of fields and wetlands, and overuse of water- most (if not all) of the streams and rivers in the Northern Great Plains are in a severely degraded state. Many of the once-perennial and ephemeral streams on our working lands remain dry for the majority of the year, leaving producers and communities in a state of water insecurity.
Our team empowers landowners, youth, and communities to reverse this state of degradation and promote flourishing watersheds. We emphasize a holistic approach to stream and riparian restoration, and include the restoration of ecologically and culturally significant plants in the areas that we work.
Bumblebee Surveys
About 75% percent of our food crops are dependent upon pollinators, yet nearly half of our pollinators are threatened with extinction today (NPS). At Rebel West, we work to install pollinator gardens, practice pollinator-friendly farming techniques, and teach community members about the importance of these species.
This year, our team participated in the Great Plains Bumblebee Atlas. Please contact us if you are interested in joining and learning about our amazing local bumblebees. Or check out their website if you’re interested in helping bumblebees in your neck of the woods!
Regenerative Windbreak Project
The Regenerative Windbreak Project supports Rebel West’s mission to empower community members to promote coexistence between people, animals, and the land. In addition to functioning as a weather barrier, each windbreak will be designed with special focus on habitat creation, food production, beautification, and small-scale rewilding. Specific emphasis is placed on threatened and endangered prairie species, in particular wildlife and/or native plants of cultural importance to local Indigenous peoples.
Kestrel-Based Pest Control
The American Kestrel, renowned for being America’s smallest- and perhaps fiercest- falcon, is a top-notch predator on working lands. In years when grasshoppers take over farms, kestrels are excellent partners in insect control. These little birds can eat up to 100 grasshoppers a day (USDA), not including the grasshoppers eaten by chicks during the annual nesting cycle- that’s nearly 500 grasshoppers per adult kestrel in a single month. They are also known to eat other “pest” species, including mice, voles, and sparrows.
Unfortunately, kestrel populations have declined by 50% in the last fifty years- most likely a result of severe habitat loss. As suburbs replace agricultural lands, nesting trees are removed, and hunting areas are paved, kestrel populations struggle and new generations of chicks are being born smaller (Chambliss 2019).
Our team installs kestrel nest boxes on all of our partner sites. We make land management decisions that focus on preserving kestrel habitat- including the preservation of nesting trees and hunting areas- and educate our community on the importance of these falcons. In return, kestrels act as our resident “Insect and Rodent Population Specialists” and ensure that our working lands are protected from insects and mammals that may predate upon our crops and the crops of our community food growers.
Interested in getting involved?
Please contact us if you’re interested in volunteer or partnership opportunities!