Pandora, Texas — The Pajarito Ranch, managed by Grazing Lands in Wilson County, has received a bird-friendly habitat certification from the National Audubon Society. Beef products produced on the ranch can now carry the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal, which recognizes their origin on lands managed for birds and biodiversity.
The 5,300-acre Pajarito Ranch, located southeast of San Antonio in the state’s oaks and prairies ecoregion, is enrolled in Audubon Conservation Ranching, a habitat program working to stabilize declining grassland bird populations in Texas and across the U.S. Uniquely, Audubon Conservation Ranching connects consumers to conservation through the marketplace, distinguishing products that come from lands actively managed for wildlife through rotational and regenerative grazing practices. Grazing Lands owner Travis Krause focuses on creating a diversity of grassland habitats at the Pajarito Ranch, which benefits his herd and birds, including flagship species like the Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, and Painted Bunting.
Krause says Grazing Lands’ regenerative ranching goals mesh with the pillars of Audubon Conservation Ranching, where lands must meet program standards in the areas of habitat management, environmental sustainability, and animal health and welfare to receive Audubon’s bird-friendly credential. “Our vision goes beyond grass-fed beef,” Krause said, “Healthy soils, clean water, quality habitat, and abundant birds and wildlife are part of our overall product.”
Thomas Schroeder, Audubon Conservation Ranching Manager in Texas, said regular tracking of habitat and range production, bird abundance, soil carbon, water infiltration, and soil health will provide Grazing Lands the information that fits with their mode of continuous improvement. “Monitoring habitat enhancements is the key to making sure every acre is as valuable as it can be – for birds and the bottom line.” Other grassland-dependent bird beneficiaries include the Bell’s Vireo, Bewick’s Wren, Cassin’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, LeConte’s Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Harrier, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Song Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.
Grazing Lands manages ranches for grazing livestock, using regenerative practices and principles to improve soil health, biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services.
For more information about Audubon Conservation Ranching in Texas, contact Thomas Schroeder.
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
A wildlife habitat initiative of the National Audubon Society with a unique market front, Audubon Conservation Ranching’s purpose is to stabilize declining grassland bird populations in partnership with ranchers – on whose land 95 percent of grassland birds live. Audubon Conservation Ranching’s enrollment includes 92 ranches, covering more than 2.5 million acres that have earned status as Audubon Certified Bird-friendly Land. Incentivizing this habitat work for birds and biodiversity are consumers with an appetite for conservation, who support it with the purchase of products grazed on these lands. Shoppers see a special package designation – the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal – that sets these products apart. For more information, visit Audubon.org/ranching.
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.