In the quiet corners of western Nebraska, where sandy hills roll beneath endless sky, a tiny, elusive creature is fighting for survival. The swift fox—no bigger than a house cat, yet vital to the prairie ecosystem—is one of the state’s most endangered species. Thanks to the dedication of JEO’s Environmental Sciences team, the swift fox’s story is being rewritten through careful surveys, drone flights, and boots-on-the-ground fieldwork—each step helping protect its fragile prairie home. 

Three of our environmental scientists —Katie Boden, Justine Cherovsky, and Eric Marrow—recently wrapped up its third swift fox survey for Settje Agri Services & Engineering at the Blackshirt Feeders cattle feedlot in western Dundy County, Nebraska.  Their work is part of a broader mission: to ensure that Nebraska’s agricultural development doesn’t come at the cost of its native wildlife. 

Meet the Swift Fox

The swift fox is the smallest wild canine in North America, weighing only about seven pounds. With oversized ears, quick movements, and playful behavior, it’s no wonder they capture people’s hearts. But these tiny predators are also important indicators of grassland health, serving as both predator and prey within the prairie ecosystem. Their numbers dropped drastically in the early 1900s due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting, and today, they remain state-endangered in Nebraska. 

Unlike coyotes or red foxes, which only use dens during breeding season, swift foxes live in them year-round—often moving between multiple dens for safety. They rarely dig their own, instead reusing burrows made by prairie dogs or badgers. Their dependence on other species makes them closely tied to the larger prairie web of life. 

Surveying their Habitat 

The project site—once large, irrigated farm fields—sits among rolling sandy hills with short prairie grasses and shrubs and is exactly the kind of habitat swift foxes might choose. To survey the area, the team conducted field transects about 50 yards apart, inspecting burrow entrances for any sign of use. Because swift fox surveys require an additional 250-meter buffer around the study area, this meant covering more than two square miles of terrain. 

Fieldwork was no small task. Much of the site had no roadways, forcing the team to bump trucks through dense vegetation and up and down sandy hills. In some places, they had to abandon vehicles altogether and hike steep, slippery slopes on foot. Long days and early mornings were the norm, but as Katie put it, “It’s very worth it.” 

While no foxes were spotted during the surveys, the team encountered plenty of other prairie life. Birds like horned larks, western meadowlarks, and short-eared owls made appearances, along with a giant jackrabbit that darted out of view before anyone could snap a photo.  

Technology in Action

To cover the roughest terrain, the team turned to drone technology. Aerial imagery allowed them to scan areas inaccessible by truck or foot and quickly identify whether potential dens were worth investigating more closely. The drone sped up portions of the survey and provided a cost-effective tool for the client, while ensuring no possible habitat was overlooked. 

Results and Impact

No active swift fox dens were found during this round of surveys, meaning construction could continue without displacing the species. But even in the absence of foxes, the work has broader significance. Each survey expands understanding of where swift foxes are—or aren’t—and ensures that Nebraska’s agricultural growth doesn’t come at the expense of its delicate ecosystems. 

“The more surveys we do, and the more willing clients are to support them, the more we can learn about the species and help protect their habitats,” Justine noted.  

 

Why it Matters

Western Nebraska is a patchwork of unique landscapes—the sandhills, shortgrass prairies, and pine ridge—each supporting diverse and delicate ecosystems. Agriculture is central to life here, but so is pride in the land itself. As Katie explained, “People rely very heavily on agriculture, but they also value the natural beauty of the grasslands. For both to exist, there has to be balance.” 

That balance is at the heart of JEO’s environmental work. By surveying for endangered species like the swift fox, the team helps ensure that development can move forward responsibly. As Eric put it, these efforts “help to ensure there is no negative effect to any swift fox that may be present in the area.”