Topics Where We Work Grasslands, Aridlands and Forests

Conservation Ranching

Growing Bird-Friendly Grasslands
March 26, 2026 — The Farm Bill helped ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s Conservation Ranching program take flight. Now it’s helping it soar.
A meadowlark sings, perched on a thin branch in a field.
On Capitol Hill, a Rancher’s Message: Grazing is Key to Healthy Grasslands
March 18, 2026 — ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ and partners advocate for a new Farm Bill as part of the Migratory Bird Joint Venture fly-in
A meadowlark perched on a wooden fence post.
America’s Birds Are Declining, The Farm Bill Can Help Turn the Tide
March 09, 2026 — As Congress advances the Farm Bill, strengthening voluntary conservation programs on farms, ranches, and forests is essential for birds, producers, and rural economies
Policy & Advocacy
Cows and calves from the NDSU herd graze on the Albert K. Ekre Grassland preserve in southeastern ND
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Conservation Ranching Expands in Minnesota
March 03, 2026 — Meet Our New Range Ecologist, Annie Bahe
UMR
Newly ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Certified, Nantz Land & Cattle Helping Grassland Birds Gain Ground in Texas
February 05, 2026 — Cattle catalyze bird-friendly grasslands at Rolling Plains region ranch
Grasshopper Sparrow
Partner Spotlight: Burgundy Pasture Beef and ROAM Ranch
January 13, 2026 — These Texans are showing that ranching can promote biodiversity and bird-friendly grassland ecosystems.
TEXAS
A Lark Bunting perched on an annual sunflower.
2025 Conservation Ranching Bird Monitoring Results in the Rockies
November 20, 2025 — Scientists monitored 634 locations across 13 bird-friendly ranches this year. Here’s what they saw.
ROCKIES
An individual on a boom lift installs Motus radio antennas.
Solving Migration Mysteries, One Motus Station at a Time
October 23, 2025 — The very first Motus tower to be installed on an ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Certified Bird-Friendly ranch is advancing bird science in eastern Wyoming.
ROCKIES
What Makes a Ranch, Bird Friendly?
August 07, 2025 — We developed the Bird Friendliness Index, a science-based tool that evaluates habitat quality by assessing bird communities and rangeland conditions.
TEXAS
Uncertainty as Opportunity.
August 07, 2025 — In an unpredictable world, the natural world reminds us how to adapt, persist, and envision a new path.
TEXAS Conservation Challenges