Over 60 species of birds rely on grassland habitats in Virginia
The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI)—a partnership between Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, The Piedmont Environmental Council, American Farmland Trust, and Quail Forever — is innovating new ways to reverse the declines of grassland birds on working lands in the Virginia Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Shenandoah Valley. Together, VGBI partners work with landowners and producers in 16 counties to restore grassland habitat for the benefit of birds and farms.
Grasslands support over 60 species of birds in Virginia, many of which are now experiencing steep population declines due to habitat loss, development, and changes in agricultural practices.
Private landowners play a pivotal role in reversing these declines. Through targeted best management practices—often paired with financial cost-share opportunities—farmers can enhance habitat for grassland birds while meeting production goals and improving the resilience of their land.
Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices are conservation-minded land management approaches that help farmers support bird populations while maintaining the productivity and improving the resilience of their operations.
Financial Incentive Program
With funding from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, and Cornell’s Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, VGBI is able to offer payments to farmers willing to adopt bird-friendly practices.
Nest Box Program
Nest boxes are another way landowners can connect and engage with many at-risk bird species, generating an even greater level of stewardship over those birds and the habitats on which they depend.
Resources
Our team develops high-quality resources for any landowner or producer to start learning about how to bring bird-friendly practices onto your landscape.
VGBI Conservation Goals
The VGBI Team works towards our conservation goals through our programs, collaborations, and outreach events.
- Raise awareness about the plight of grassland birds.
- Identify science-based best management practices that benefit grassland birds, landscape resiliency, and farm production goals.
- Assist producers and landowners in adopting bird-friendly practices.
- Unify conservation messaging and technical assistance advice across regional conservation practitioners.
- Create opportunities for training and dissemination of knowledge.
- Place Virginia on the map as a nationally-recognized region of bird conservation.
Cover image by Brooke McDonough; Artwork by Nick Garnhart