The black-tailed prairie dog, the most widespread of the five prairie dog species, once ranged across the shortgrass and mixed prairies of the Great Plains, from eastern Kansas and Nebraska to the Rocky Mountains and from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Black-tailed prairie dogs are known for their extensive underground burrow systems, complex communication, and sophisticated family structure.

Black-tailed prairie dogs, like other prairie dog species, play a critical role in the health of their ecosystems. For this reason they are known as "keystone species." For example, black-tailed prairie dogs establish colonies or towns with extensive underground burrow systems. These tunnels, which can extend up to ten feet in depth and up to fifteen feet horizontally, often serve as habitat for the Endangered black-footed ferret, prairie rattlesnakes, and burrowing owls.
Black-tailed prairie dogs are also an important source of food for ferruginous hawks, golden eagles, coyotes, black-footed ferrets, badgers, and others. More than 200 species, including at least 64 vertebrate species, have been observed on or near black-tailed prairie dog towns.

Largely as a result of habitat destruction and the spread of an exotic disease known as plague, the black-tailed prairie dog has lost more than 99% of its historic range. Recreational target shooting, poisoning, oil and gas drilling, and other land uses have also taken a heavy toll. CNE is working with partners Forest Guardians, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, and others to protect and recover the black-tailed prairie dog and its imperiled grassland ecosystem.