Birds as Bioindicators on Rangelands

August 26, 2025

Last fall, Montana Audubon’s Director of Conservation Christian Meny gave a presentation for Buzz on the Range, a project testing innovative grazing practices to support both cattle production and pollinator habitat on working Montana ranches.

In this video, he discusses the Audubon Conservation Ranching Program. This national initiative, facilitated by Montana Audubon in the state, aims to halt alarming declines in grassland bird populations, which have suffered over a 50% decline since the 1970s. The program works with private land ranchers to promote regenerative grazing practices that benefit both bird habitats and land stewardship. Christian highlights the benefits of certification, including marketing advantages, bird monitoring, and grant opportunities. He also details the positive impacts observed through the program, such as increased bird diversity, abundance, and overall ecosystem resilience.

Visit the Buzz on the Range website to read a summary, and watch the full video on YouTube.