Audubon Conservation Ranching in California
North America's grasslands are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world. As a result, grassland birds have declined more than any other bird group on the continent, with some species losing as much as 80% of their populations.
The vast majority of America’s grassland birds breed on private lands, which is why working with ranchers is our best hope for conserving them. California has 61 million acres of rangelands that provide food production, carbon sequestration, water infiltration, and habitat for a wide range of species.
A recent study identifies California grasslands as more reliable and resilient carbon sinks than forests (Pawlok 2018). However, this historic California land use is under threat, with an average of 20,000 acres a year being lost to development or crop conversion (Cameron et al. 2014).
Climate change, invasive species, aquifer depletion, and poor grazing practices also degrade large portions of grasslands, increasing economic and ecological vulnerability. To slow the loss of rangelands, stabilize declining populations of grassland birds and wildlife, and contribute to climate mitigation, Audubon created the Audubon Conservation Ranching Program (ACR).
Audubon California is working with ranchers, conservation partners, and local communities to implement conservation ranching practices across thousands of acres. Through the ACR program, we develop Habitat Management Plans that support regenerative grazing, control invasive species, and restore native plant communities. We also monitor bird populations, vegetation changes, and soil health to measure conservation success. By working together, we’re ensuring that our strategies benefit both birds and people.
Beef from Audubon-certified land is hormone- and antibiotic-free, ethically raised, and delicious. Supporting Audubon-certified ranches is better for grassland birds, better for the land, and better for you. Our certification seal can be found on high-quality meat products and empowers consumers to support ranches that benefit grassland birds and their habitat.
To save grassland birds, we’re enlisting and assisting California’s ranchers—the stewards of our remaining grassland landscapes—in implementing conservation ranching practices. Regenerative grazing mimics historic wild herds of grazing mammals, invigorating diverse plant communities and supporting nutrient cycles that rebuild soil and conserve water. This practice has the potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in soil organic matter. We measure the effectiveness of these practices by monitoring bird diversity and abundance, vegetation change, and soil health.
Beef from Audubon-certified lands garners a premium price and provides a unique opportunity for ranchers to showcase their excellent management practices. This helps them care for their families while providing exceptional habitat for wildlife. By first listening to the ranching community, trusting in their knowledge of sustainable land management, and learning from their resiliency in a volatile marketplace, we are ensuring that our strategies and solutions will benefit both people and nature. Buying beef from Audubon-certified lands supports rural economies and the ranching way of life.
ACR's Impact in California
As of 2025, the Conservation Ranching Initiative has:
- Certified 11 ranches in the program with over 175,000 acres enrolled
- Conducted vegetation, soil, and bird surveys on participating ranches
- Engaged in outreach and education with hundreds of partners and eco-conscious consumers
- Developed technical and advisory committees with industry experts
Learn more about ACR with our Hooves on the Ground, Wings in the Sky video:
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