For most of the 20th century, North Dakotans didn’t have to worry much about conservation. The state’s slow growth posed little threat to the landscape. The Badlands and ranchlands existed in a languid steady state, lulling residents into thinking the areas didn’t need protection. That’s changing — and fast. When a region’s in decline, rekindling growth takes precedence. But now that growth in North Dakota is at full roar, residents can turn their attention to “luxury goods” such as wildlife and scenery. That’s exactly what’s happening in Bismarck these days. And rest assured, this focus is going to become much more important in the months and years to come. The trust lands are the first in a line of controversies to come.
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