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Journalists learning about conservation in ND

Several journalists from around the country -- who cover the outdoors and the environment – are in North Dakota for a “Western Media Summit.”

The Summit was organized by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. President and CEO Whit Fosburgh says the Summit is to give the journalists more insight into issues facing conservation.

"These issues are easy to stereotype," said Fosburgh. "Ducks versus oil and gas, or mule deer versus oil and gas, or farmers versus pheasants. It's not that simple."

Fosburgh says these are complex issues -- and everyone needs to work together to address those issues.

"We're trying to get that out to the media, so they really understand, and don't get lulled into the common headline grabbing stories," said Fosburgh.

Ducks Unlimited is one of the hosts for the Summit.

"The big things we're dealing with are escalating agricultural practices in eastern North Dakota and one of the biggest oil fields in the world in the western part of the state," said DU Great Plains region director of operations Steve Adair. "They're really converging on our recreational and our outdoors lifestyle. How can we balance those impacts to maintain a diverse economy and a great quality of life here?"

Adair says there are opportunities to invest in the land and in conservation – thanks to increased oil revenues coming to North Dakota.

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