RUSH, COLO. (September 18, 2026) — Brett Gray Ranch, situated in Colorado’s japanese plains, is the newest ranch to attain the Nationwide Audubon Society’s Hen-Pleasant Land Certification. Earned by way of the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, the certification acknowledges working lands managed to help birds and biodiversity.
Audubon Conservation Ranching is a science-based certification program designed to assist declining grassland hen populations by supporting the stewardship of grassland habitats and resilient ranching operations by way of bird-friendly land administration. Previously 50 years, grassland birds have skilled the steepest inhabitants decline of any terrestrial biome, largely as a consequence of habitat loss, woody encroachment, and chemical use. Throughout america, greater than 155 farms and ranches encompassing 4.5 million acres at the moment are licensed as bird-friendly by way of Audubon Conservation Ranching.
Brett Grey Ranch joins a rising community of 16 licensed ranches throughout virtually 750,000 acres working to preserve grasslands by way of bird-friendly land administration in Colorado. Situated about an hour east of Colorado Springs, Brett Grey Ranch is an virtually 50,000-acre property owned by the Colorado State Land Board. For the previous 17 years, Louis Martin and his group at Round River Resource Management, LLC have managed the ranch in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy. As a customized grazing administration clothing store, their aim is to enhance working lands comparable to Brett Grey Ranch by way of holistic and regenerative administration.
To earn Audubon’s Hen-Pleasant Land Certification, ranches should meet excessive requirements of grazing administration to advertise grassland well being and habitat heterogeneity, together with animal welfare and environmental sustainability, and all verified by way of an impartial audit. Licensed ranches could then promote their beef and bison merchandise with the Audubon Licensed Hen-Pleasant seal to spice up recognition amongst environmentally aware shoppers.
Brett Grey Ranch focuses on accountable grazing administration to advertise each ecological and financial sustainability. Their robust stewardship of native prairies, in addition to wetland and riparian habitats, offers essential rangeland avian habitat amongst quite a few different wildlife sources. By means of current infrastructure improvement and the implementation of a deliberate rotational grazing system, the ranch has seen enhancements in organic range, together with a return of a number of tallgrass species to the property, in addition to a rise in carrying capability.
“By working with nature and the 4 ecosystem processes, we enhance the variety of each plant and animal species, enhance the general manufacturing of our pure sources, which ends up in an enhanced pure useful resource base that will increase the profitability of our enterprise and advantages each the ecosystem and society at giant,” stated Louis Martin, Proprietor of Spherical River Useful resource Administration.
Jap Colorado’s shortgrass prairie area offers essential habitat for many hen species of conservation concern, comparable to Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Mountain Plovers, which depend on giant, steady stretches of open grassland, and are susceptible as a consequence of speedy habitat loss and fragmentation. By becoming a member of the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, the Brett Grey Ranch brings in one other virtually 50,000 acres of land particularly managed to enhance habitat for grassland birds. Their land will probably be monitored for inhabitants modifications and enchancment by way of Audubon’s annual avian monitoring.
“It’s no accident that Brett Grey Ranch has one of many longest and most spectacular hen species lists on eBird amongst ranches throughout the state,” stated Louisa Kimmell, Vary Ecologist for the Audubon Conservation Ranching program in Colorado. “Their longtime dedication to holistic administration, with explicit consideration to enhancing riparian habitat by way of managed intensive grazing, has formed the land into the hen range hotspot it’s immediately.”
To be taught about Audubon Conservation Ranching in Colorado, please contact Louisa Kimmell at Louisa.Kimmell@Audubon.org. For nationwide program data, please contact ConservationRanching@Audubon.org.
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
Audubon Conservation Ranching companions with ranchers to maintain wholesome grasslands, considerable birdlife, and resilient rural communities. By means of our bird-friendly land certification and science-based strategy, we empower land stewards to reinforce habitat, enhance soil well being and water high quality, and strengthen the connection between conservation and ranching. By buying merchandise from Audubon Licensed Hen-Pleasant Land, shoppers turn into conservationists, serving to shield America’s grasslands and the birds, wildlife, and those who rely upon them. For extra data, go to www.audubon.org/ranching.
