Our MissionConserving critical habitat for endangered, threatened and rapidly declining grassland birds

Conserving Land

Grasslands are the fastest disappearing habitat in North America. Grassland birds eat insects and rodents that damage crops. They share their habitat with bees and butterflies that pollinate fruits, vegetables, hay and other crops.
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Preserving Biodiversity

Conserved grasslands protect endangered and threatened birds like Short-eared owls, Upland sandpipers and meadowlarks. They also provide important habitat for over 100 other bird and wildlife species, including thousands of pollinators!
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Mitigating Climate Change

Grasses filter carbon out of the air and store it underground in their roots or the soil. Unlike forests, the majority of the carbon is not released if the grasses catch fire, making them better able to withstand climate change.
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Grassland Birds need us – and we need them.

Your support will help save our world!

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700Million Grassland Birds Lost the past 50 years
258Acres Conserved
78Acres Owned & Managed

Upcoming Events

Short-eared Owl in the Fort Edward Grassland IBA
Tues-Thurs, Feb 27-29, 2024 or
Fri-Sun, Mar 01-03, 2024

Three-Day Winter Raptor Tour

Start planning your winter birding activities today by reviewing the itinerary for a three-day winter raptor tour in the Fort Edward Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA). The Audubon-designated IBA is especially appealing to winter raptors who migrate to the grasslands from colder climates in search of food.  Potential sightings include endangered Short-eared Owls (pictured) and threatened Northern Harriers, as well as American Kestrels, Bald Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Barred Owls, Cooper’s Hawks,  Snowy Owls, and more!

Our small footprint (maximum of 6 guests, plus a guide and driver) allows us to go to the areas the birds love best. We will have excursions in the early morning and in the late afternoon as these are the times that the raptors hunt.

Meals are at locally owned establishments, most are farm-to-table.  Your accommodation will be at the historic The Queensbury, in Glens Falls, NY.  Contact Roberta Kravette with questions (rkravette@signpostpublishing.com of (908) 656-4016).

The cost is $1,165 to $1,592 depending on your tour dates and occupancy (single vs. double). The cost of each tour includes a $250 tax-deductible donation to GBT which helps preserve this important habitat. Read our Trips and Events Release then register.

Winter birding in the IBA is a thrilling experience!

Itinerary Register
Trip 1: Jan 15 - Jan 26, 2024
Trip 2: Jan 29 - Feb 9, 2024

Southern Colombia Birding Expedition

It’s time to make plans to join Grassland Bird Trust’s 3rd international birding tour!

This year the expedition will head to Colombia – the birdy-ist country on earth. Study the itinerary and sign up today. Colombia is home to 1,958 bird species and boasts the greatest diversity of hummingbirds, with 165 species of the 355 found on the entire American continent.

We will travel to the Colombian Massif and Putumayo regions in southwestern Colombia which is rapidly being recognized as the next go-to destination for birding in the country. Based on eBird data,1,065 species of birds have been identified in Putumayo. Travelers will have an opportunity to see approximately 805 species.

Our travel partner, Destination: Wildlife has again planned a fabulous birding experience that is also a wonderful fundraiser for GBT. You will stay and dine with local families, gaining an intimate overview of local culture. Travelers can select from two dates and each trip is limited to six guests with one leader and one local guide:

  • Jan 15 – Jan 26, 2024
  • Jan 29 – Feb 9, 2024

Read the detailed itinerary and you’ll be inspired to join this adventure. Even if you can’t join, read the itinerary and preliminary bird list for a thrill!

Destination: Wildlife is committed to the principles of conservation tourism so your tourism dollars stay local, creating jobs and improving the livelihoods of those that live there. We know the trip will be an enriching and authentic experience.

Questions? Contact Roberta Kravette at Destination: Wildlife (rkravette@signpostpublishing.com or 908-656-4016) or Terry Griffin at Grassland Bird Trust (tgriffin@grasslandbirdtrust.org). Put “Colombia Birding” in the subject line.

Read our Trips and Events Release then register.

Register for Colombia Birding Expedition

Recent News

What’s Your Favorite Spring Bird? GBT Volunteers Weigh In.

We have lift-off! The siren call of a growing, brighter light has launched thousands, nay, millions of long-haul flights. And although triggered by the sun, most of these journeys are flown in darkness, guided by the moon and stars. These are the eco-friendliest of all eco-friendly flights, powered by insects, seeds, and fruit, and some […]

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Winter Secrets of the New York Grasslands

Read Roberta Kravette’s notes on the birds that winter in the Fort Edward, NY grasslands. She provides a great description of the birds that winter here, where to find them, and the best time to spot them. In addition, there are some incredible photos by bird and wildlife photographer Gordon Ellmers of Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, Barred […]

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“We commend GBT’s dedication to the conservation of New York’s wildlife heritage.”

– New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos

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Thanks to Our Leading Sponsors:

Stewart's Shop Adirondack.net Saratoga.com GlensFalls.com Odd Duck Farm

Our Partners:

Washington County Soil and Water Conservation Land Trust Alliance Watchable Wildlife