Category: Recent News

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 […]

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 […]

Fort Edward, NY – GBT volunteer Mary-Beth Wagner supervised the planting of a dozen native trees at the AZS Viewing Area the last week in September.  The evergreen trees, sited in consultation with DEC Wildlife Biologists, will provide a roost for wintering Short-eared owls and a windbreak for visitors to our viewing blind.  Volunteers helped […]

GREENWICH, NY – Fair food, tractor pulls and farm animals drew large crowds to the Washington County Fair the week of August 19th – 25th.  “The Big Push” Birthing Center was a hit as families gathered to see the live birthing of calves. Veterinarians were on call to help and a herdsperson catered to the cows […]

FORT EDWARD, NY – Grassland Bird Trust (GBT) Board Members and volunteers recognized Landowner Merrilyn Pulver, New York State Senator Betty Little and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner as OWL HEROES at our 1st Annual Grassland Bird Field Day in June for their contributions to grassland bird conservation in New York State. Pulver received the award for […]

ALBANY, NY  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Thursday more than $2.2 million in New York State Conservation Partnership Program grants awarded to 47 not-for-profit land trusts across the state. The grants are funded through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund. According to a press release, “a total of 70 grants will leverage an additional $2.2 million in […]

ARGYLE Grassland Bird Trust, formerly Friends of the IBA, officially acquired another 64 acres of critical habitat in February. The two-year project was completed on schedule thanks to a $63,000 grant from NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Parks), a $50,000 grant from the Open Space Institute (OSI) and donations from Grassland Bird […]

Love owls?  Actions speak louder than words, and the thoughtless actions of a small number of people who’ve been harassing landowners in the Washington County Grasslands IBA shows a blatant disregard for the owls and their hosts. Landowners have become increasingly frustrated this winter with photographers and birders lining up their tripods in front of […]

Fort Edward Friends of the IBA (Important Bird Area/FIBA) received a nice surprise just in time for the holidays – a New York State Regional Economic and Community Development grant for $63,191. The grant, awarded through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is funded through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Governor […]

FORT EDWARD The Snowy owl sprang from the crate and glided across the open field at Friends of the IBA’s (FIBA) Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area. She glanced back once before landing on a fencepost at the edge of the property and sat there checking out her surroundings amidst the falling snow. She […]