Today, more than 300 bird species depend on the Prairie Potholes, including the endangered Piping Plover, iconic White Pelican, and elegant Marbled Godwit. But the region is best known for sustaining waterfowl: half of North America’s breeding migratory waterfowl are hatched and reared in this region, earning it the nickname “America’s Duck Factory.” Existing rules establish minimum safe distances between wetlands and drain tiles to prevent farmland drainage from harming these fragile habitats. Fish and Wildlife Service signals a departure from 60 years of successful, bipartisan policy by reducing the allowable distance between drain tiles and Prairie Potholes. You probably don’t live in our duck factory, but if you like ducks and geese and other native birds, you can sign a petition to protect our environment.