Audubon Conservation Ranching Comes to Iowa

By Tucker Lutter, Iowa Conservation Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi

When the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through western Iowa in 1804, Captain William Clark described what we now call the Loess Hills as “bald-pated” (sic), noting their wide-open, treeless prairies. Driving through the hills today, it can be hard to imagine such a scene. Tree encroachment, row crop production, and urban development have dramatically changed the landscape.

As grasslands disappear, so do the birds that depend on them. Historically, Iowa was covered by millions of acres of prairie—today, just 1 in every 1,000 acres remains. According to the 2025 State of the Birds report, habitat loss has contributed to a 43% decline in grassland bird populations across North America—the steepest decline of any bird group. Every remaining acre of prairie in Iowa plays a critical role in supporting species like Northern Bobwhite, Upland Sandpiper, Eastern and Western Meadowlark, and Bobolink.

This year, Audubon Conservation Ranching launched in Iowa with a goal: to reverse grassland bird declines by partnering with cattle and bison producers across the state. We’re eager to find farmers and ranchers to join our mission.

As long as there has been grass on the landscape, there have been animals eating the grass. In the past, bison and elk roamed the landscape in vast herds and birds were reliant on their grazing to find suitable habitat to nest. Some birds, like the familiar (if ever-incessant) Killdeer, need heavily grazed areas to nest, whereas Henslow’s Sparrows need thick vegetation to thrive. All along the spectrum, birds found their niche to survive, provided by the grazing patterns of large mammals. Today, cattle have largely taken over this role. Grazing, if done with conservation in mind, can help grassland birds to thrive. If producers enroll in the conservation ranching program, Audubon staff will provide them with technical assistance in identifying grazing techniques to improve habitat for birds and can also provide financial assistance for tree and brush removal, fencing (for rotational grazing), prairie restoration, and even prescribed fire.

Another perk of the program is that producers who enroll have the option to use the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land certification seal on their meat product packaging and in promotion of their brand, telling consumers their purchases are supporting birds and biodiversity. Becoming certified opens doors to new marketing and storytelling opportunities and benefits birds and ranchers alike.

While this program is new to Iowa, it has a proven track record of success. Since its launch in Missouri in 2017, over 150 ranches across the Great Plains, Upper Midwest, and the West are certified through the program, spanning an incredible 4.5 million acres of bird-friendly management. And yes, it’s working for birds! Audubon’s Science Team developed a Bird-Friendliness Index to measure the abundance, diversity, and resilience of grassland and aridland bird communities on Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Lands. The results are striking: bird-friendly ranches have shown an 8.4% annual increase in the Bird-Friendliness Index and a 76% overall increase from 2016 to 2023.

While western Iowa has changed a lot since the early 1800s and the hills are not as “bald” as Captain William Clark described them, the sound of birds remains a constant thread connecting us to the past. With proper stewardship of our natural resources, future generations will continue to enjoy the distinctive trill of Field Sparrows and the scratchy rambling calls of Bell’s Vireos well into the future.

If you would like to learn more about Audubon Conservation Ranching and to explore certification opportunities in Iowa, please contact me at [email protected]. I’d welcome the opportunity to visit your operation, answer questions, and explore whether Audubon Conservation Ranching could be a fit for your farm or ranch.

Dickcissel, one of the priority bird species for Audubon's Conservation Ranching program. Photo provided by Tucker Lutter.

Tucker J. Lutter, Iowa Conservation Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi River