Established in 1990, the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) was the seventh habitat joint venture to implement the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This public-private partnership is committed to the conservation of playa basins, saline lakes, marshes, riparian areas and associated watersheds through cooperative efforts with landowners.
ConocoPhillips has been the lead corporate participant in the PLJV since its inception, providing in-kind support, employee expertise and more than $1.25 million in cash contributions. Through grants and partnerships with state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, corporations, communities and individuals have enhanced, restored or protected more than 100,000 acres of habitat.
The Playa Lakes Joint Venture takes in more than 50,000 wetlands known as "playas" across the western High Plains of the United States. These shallow, circular basins average 17 acres and approximately 99 percent are located on private land.