Restoration efforts to protect and promote wildlife habitat and soil health benefits are underway to improve more than 8,000 acres in the Prairie Pothole Region.

Working with Pheasants Forever, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation, Purina has committed $1 million to positively impact soil health and habitat, promote water stewardship and create new public wildlife areas. This represents the single largest, one-time donation from a corporation to Pheasant Forever’s mission to improve upland habitat.

“Purina is committed to making high-quality pet food and also passionate about collaborating with farmers and conservationists to support best-in-class practices that improve habitat and soil health, enhance water stewardship and overall promote a healthy environment,” says Purina CEO Joe Sivewright. “The Prairie Pothole Region is a special area for conservation and for farming. This partnership will find ways to enhance both so that native plants and cherished wildlife can flourish alongside healthy ingredients like those used in Purina’s nutritionally complete-and-balanced formulas.”

Pheasants Forever’s 3-year plan for Purina’s contribution is to provide wildlife habitat and soil health benefits for growers, pet owners and their bird dogs through two distinct programs: the Soil Health and Habitat Program, which will utilize precision agriculture technology to analyze data from private land in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, where Purina has manufacturing facilities in Clinton, Fort Dodge and Davenport, to enhance soil health and protect water quality; and the Build A Wildlife Area Program, which will acquire 1,000 acres of land for public access while promoting wildlife and public recreation.

“The work will be focused in key states where Purina sources high-quality ingredients for its pet food products,” explains Purina Vice President of Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing Jack Scott. “We will be collaborating with farmers and conservationists to implement best-in-class practices that promote a healthy environment for our soil, ingredients, pets and people.”

Purina, whose Pro Plan brand is the official performance dog food of Pheasants Forever, is a long-time supporter of organizations that work to conserve natural resources while also celebrating hardworking dogs and people who share a passion for the outdoors, a nod to the company’s belief that pets and people are better together.