Although the Zumwalt Prairie is in good ecological condition with many intact plant communities and a diverse assortment of native wildlife, certain human actions have led to reduced numbers of certain species and/or degraded habitats.  Some of these actions happened in the past and are no longer occuring. For example the plowing of marginally suitable lands. Others, for example the introduction and spread of invasive, non-native plants, continue to degrade natural resources.

The Nature Conservancy has identified six factors which it believes are the most important obstacles to the achieving its conservation goals for Zumwalt Prairie.

Incompatible livestock management	Non-native species	Fire suppression
Overuse by elk and deer	Pushup Dams/Culverts/Channelization	Exurban Development