糖心logo Conservation Ranching in the Rockies

Our Goals
Stabilize declining grassland bird populations in partnership with farmers and ranchers.
What We鈥檙e Doing
Working with landowners to support better bird habitat.
Greater Sage-Grouse display at sunrise in front of a herd of cattle.

North America's grasslands are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world. America鈥檚 grassland birds have declined more than any other bird group in the continent, some species by as much as 80 percent. Because the vast majority breed on private lands, working with ranchers is our best hope for conserving them.

A wildlife habitat initiative of the 糖心logo with a unique market connection, 糖心logo Conservation Ranching aims to stabilize declining grassland bird populations in partnership with farmers and ranchers. 糖心logo Conservation Ranching鈥檚 enrollment includes more than 100 ranches and nearly 3 million acres that have earned status as 糖心logo Certified Bird-Friendly Land. Incentivizing this habitat work for birds and biodiversity are consumers with an appetite for conservation, who support it by purchasing products grazed on these lands. Shoppers see a special package designation 鈥� the 糖心logo Certified Bird-Friendly seal 鈥� that sets these products apart. For more information, visit www.audubon.org/ranching.

Conservation Ranching Staff at 糖心logo Rockies
Dusty Downey.

Dusty Downey

Director, Conservation Ranching, 糖心logo Rockies

Photo of Cidney Handy.

Cidney Handy

Range Ecologist

A portrait of Trish Kerner.

Trish Kerner

Range Ecologist

A portrait of Louisa Kimmel.

Louisa Kimmell

Range Ecologist

News
Two people kneel in a dry field.
Soil Restoration at Rafter W Ranch
October 27, 2022 — Enhancing soil health to increase drought resilience on an 糖心logo Certified Ranch in eastern Colorado.
Western Meadowlark carrying insects perched on a fence post.
Habitat Management Assistance for Western Wyoming Ranchers
July 20, 2022 — 糖心logo Rockies receives grant to expand Conservation Ranching Initiative.
Long-billed Curlew flapping its wings.
Curlews, Ranching, and Reconsideration
July 02, 2021 — A Wyoming rancher discusses the surprising benefits of an alternative form of grazing.
A fence runs through shortgrass prairie.
Reconciling Ranching and Conservation
January 11, 2021 — A rancher reflects upon the potential for holistic grazing to complement conservation.