Stewardship Tools for Landowners

Habitat Enhancement Projects   

Native grasslands and sagebrush offer some of the best habitat for birds in the Great Plains and Intermountain West as they provide the plant species and structural diversity native bird species evolved with. As the Knopf diagram below shows, certain species prefer particular habitat structure.

The majority of North American native grasslands and sagebrush have been degraded since European settlement, unfortunately. They have been converted to agriculture, and disturbances such as wildfire and seasonal grazing have been eliminated or altered. Fortunately these landscapes can be enhanced or restored through proper management.

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory biologists work with agricultural producers to identify the wildlife-habitat potential of the land and then modify or develop on-the-ground practices that maintain or increase agricultural production while creating beneficial wildlife habitat.
Not all projects are the same – every ranch/farm/property is different and will have different wildlife habitat enhancement potential. This depends on management goals of the landowner, property size, topography, and adjacency to other wildlife habitat. Examples of types of habitat enhancement projects include: 

• CRP Management
• Grassland/ Grazing Management
• Wetlands Riparian Enhancement
• Invasive Weed Control

 RMBO has been successful at obtaining funding for these habitat projects. With the consent of the landowner, RMBO can leverage these dollars by bringing in other partners for additional sources of technical expertise and funding.

Seth Gallagher
Stewardship Director
Ph: 970-482-1707 ext.12
seth.gallagher@rmbo.org

Laura Quattrini
Program Management Specialist
Ph: 970-482-1707 ext. 2
laura.quattrini@rmbo.org