Grassland Bird Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust conserving critical habitat for state endangered Short-eared owls and other at-risk grassland birds. We’re working to protect key breeding and wintering areas across their range.
Conservation InitiativesOur MissionConserving critical habitat for endangered, threatened and rapidly declining grassland birds
Protecting Biodiversity
Short-eared owls are endangered across the Northeast U.S. Grasslands that support these iconic owls support other imperiled grassland birds and over 100 other bird and wildlife species, including thousands of pollinators!
Conserving Land
Grasslands are the fastest disappearing habitat in the U.S. and Canada. Grassland conservation increases productivity on adjacent croplands through the FREE ecological services the birds provide, so it's also protecting our food supply!
Mitigating Climate Change
Grasses store carbon in their roots, acting as a carbon "sink." Unlike forests, the carbon is stored underground and not released if the grasses are set on fire (accidentally or otherwise), making them better able to withstand climate change.
700Million Grassland Birds Lost the past 50 years
258Acres Conserved
78Acres Owned & Managed
Upcoming Events
Saturday January 25th, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Saturday March 14th, 2020 at 4:00 pm
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: Call Rich Speidel at 518.623.2587 to secure your spot today. Space is limited. Make sure you…Recent News
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 […]
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Natural Climate Solutions – Vision & Takeaways from RALLY 2019
November 19th, 2019
RALLY is the annual National Land Trust Conference, held this year in Raleigh, N.C., where Land Trust staff and board members from across the U.S. gather to learn about diverse topics, share their knowledge and gain the skills they need to grow their mission. Grasslands are the fastest disappearing habitat in the U.S. Yet they […]
Read MoreGreat organization… Great people! Great programs! Thank you for doing this important work.”
– Magdalena Grant
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