This a semi-arid rolling plain dominated by a mixed grass prairie that lies west and south of the glaciated Prairie Potholes, east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the true shortgrass prairie. Due in large part to the continued dominance of ranching as a land use, many contiguous grassland tracts of significant size persist in this area. As a result, this area is habitat for some of the healthiest populations of high priority dry grassland birds on the continent, including Mountain Plover, McCown's Longspur, and Long-billed Curlew. The relatively small number of wetlands in the region, including small impoundments created to serve as livestock water sources, receive extensive use by upland nesting waterfowl and broods.

ABC-designated Globally Important Bird Areas in this BCR

Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge including UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge

Custer National Forest (Beartooth Plateau)

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

Fort Pierre National Grassland

Little Missouri National Grasslands, including Medora Ranger District

Thunder Basin National Grassland