LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS – September 17, 2024 — A brand new partnership between the Nationwide Audubon Society and Heifer Worldwide is bringing Audubon’s Conservation Ranching program to Arkansas. The habitat effort works to stabilize declining grassland hen populations by means of partnerships with native farmers and ranchers. This system operates by means of a bird-friendly land certification, which acknowledges producers who handle their lands for birds and biodiversity.
Since its latest inception, the Audubon Conservation Ranching program has licensed greater than 100 ranches throughout 15 states, protecting practically 3 million acres of bird-friendly land. The certification facilities on land administration practices that improve habitat conducive to grassland birds. To qualify, landowners should meet rigorous requirements for habitat administration, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. As soon as licensed by means of a third-party audit, producers use the Audubon Licensed bird-friendly seal on their beef and bison product packaging, signaling to shoppers their position in supporting conservation.
The growth into Arkansas is made doable by means of the beneficiant monetary help of Heifer USA, the home department of Heifer Worldwide. Heifer USA helps small-scale farmers in reworking their communities by means of coaching, infrastructure help, and cooperatives. This partnership will fund an Audubon employees member to spearhead efforts in Arkansas, starting the method of onboarding the state’s preliminary ranches into this system.
“Birds play essential roles in sustaining wholesome ecosystems, and we now have seen firsthand at Heifer Ranch how species of birds return to our grasslands as our ecological well being has improved,” mentioned Donna Kilpatrick, Director of Regeneration for Heifer USA. “Our partnership with Audubon will open pathways for Arkansas beef producers to enhance their land, creating extra habitat for hen species in addition to expanded markets for the farmers. Heifer USA is thrilled to accomplice with such a values-aligned group.”
Audubon Conservation Ranching’s subject employees work carefully with landowners to create habitat administration plans. These ranch-specific plans information bird-friendly administration and embrace native prairie restorations, invasive species management, riparian safety measures, and managed grazing.
Audubon and Heifer USA share enthusiasm for regenerative grazing as a software to reinforce biodiversity, construct soil well being, and improve productiveness. Such a rotational grazing strategy mimics the way in which bison as soon as roamed by frequently transferring a herd amongst many various pastures. Opposite to standard grazing, which retains animals on the identical pasture for lengthy durations, this strategy permits for lengthy durations of relaxation and restoration. And the result’s comparable: a mosaic of numerous vegetation that gives one thing for the complete array of grassland hen species, no matter their habitat necessities.
For extra details about Audubon Conservation Ranching nationally, please contact ConservationRanching@Audubon.org.
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
A wildlife habitat initiative of the Nationwide Audubon Society with a singular market connection, Audubon Conservation Ranching goals to stabilize declining grassland hen populations in partnership with ranchers. Audubon Conservation Ranching’s enrollment consists of over 100 ranches and practically 3 million acres which have earned standing as Audubon Licensed bird-friendly land. Incentivizing this habitat work for birds and biodiversity are shoppers with an urge for food for conservation, who help it by buying merchandise grazed on these lands. Buyers see a particular package deal designation – the Audubon Licensed bird-friendly seal – that units these merchandise aside. For extra info, go to: www.audubon.org/ranching.
About Heifer Worldwide
Since 1944, Heifer Worldwide has labored with greater than 46 million folks around the globe to finish starvation and poverty whereas caring for the Earth. Heifer at present operates in 19 international locations throughout Africa, Asia, and the Americas, together with america, supporting farmers and meals producers to strengthen native economies and construct safe livelihoods that present a residing earnings. For extra info, go to: https://www.heifer.org
Media Contacts:
Anthony Hauck, Communications Supervisor, Audubon Conservation Ranching
(651) 395-1379
Anthony.Hauck@audubon.org
Jennifer Smith, Communications and Fundraising Coordinator, Heifer USA
(501) 258 7545
Jennifer.Smith@heifer.org