Grassland Bird Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust conserving critical habitat for endangered, threatened and at-risk grassland birds. We’ve lost 700 million grassland birds since 1970!
Conservation InitiativesOur 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.
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!
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.
700Million Grassland Birds Lost the past 50 years
258Acres Conserved
78Acres Owned & Managed
Upcoming Events
Saturday March 14th, 2020 at 4:00 pm
2020 WINTER BIRDING & OWL WATCHES
Grab your binoculars and join us in the Washington County Grasslands to look for Short-eared owls and other wintering raptors on this fun, guided tour. GBT’s Executive Director, Laurie LaFond and Volunteer Field Trip Leader, Rich Speidel will introduce you to the wonders of the grassland in Winter! Likely sightings include Short-eared owls, Rough-legged hawks, Red-tailed hawks, Northern harriers, Horned larks, Snow buntings and more! Snowy owls are always possible! FREE to Members Non Member Rates: $10.00 Individual or $20.00 Family ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Field trip is currently full Make sure you dress appropriately for outdoor winter weather – we…Winter Raptor Fest
See Owls, Hawks and Falcons in flight! NEW DATES for 2020: October 3 & 4
Learn MoreRecent News
GBT recognizes 2019 Volunteers of the Year
February 29th, 2020
Congratulations to Mary-Beth Wagner, 2019 Volunteer of the Year! Last year she contributed well over 100 hours helping to plan, organize and set up the Winter Raptor Fest WILD Encounter – then staffed it on both days! She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, either. Last year she organized, oversaw and implemented a tree planting project […]
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NYC Clothing Designer Launches New GBT Line!
December 16th, 2019
North America has lost 3 Billion Birds in the last 50 years. Tina Alleva and Angie Co recently launched The Bird Collective, an apparel company featuring eco-friendly clothes and accessories, to help fund projects that can reverse that decline and create a better future for birds and wildlife. They chose GBT as the first conservation […]
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3 BILLION BIRDS LOST
November 19th, 2019
The U.S. and Canada have lost more than 2.9 billion birds since 1970, according to a Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy report. Grassland bird species suffered the steepest declines, losing 53% of their population, or more than 720 million birds! Widespread loss and degradation of habitat from agricultural intensification and urbanization caused […]
Read More“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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