CONSERVATION
THROUGH
PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships are the key to our success. We facilitate cooperation among a broad coalition of partners — on the national, regional, state and local levels — to fund and implement on-the-ground habitat
conservation projects.

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CONSERVATION
THROUGH DESIGN

Effective conservation — from planning to implementation to monitoring — relies on having accurate, informative maps and spatial data. We create geospatial tools and data products, including interactive maps, source code for geospatial models, and downloadable data, to help guide conservation efforts within our region.

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CONSERVATION ON
WORKING LANDS

In our region, agricultural producers have the ability to effect the biggest change on the landscape and, therefore, provide the greatest benefit to birds and bird habitat through their conservation efforts. We are deeply invested in helping to make sure producers stay on the landscape so this stewardship may continue.

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CONSERVATION ON
PUBLIC LANDS

While public lands, managed for the public good, are used differently than working lands, managers often need the same conservation tools developed for private landowners. We work with public land managers to maximize benefit on lands that often act as anchors for large blocks of habitat that is important for many species.

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CONSERVATION FOR
ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT

Many of the same tools we use for biological planning can be adapted to help energy developers site new projects to minimize impacts to birds and their habitats. We believe a proactive and collaborative approach is the best way to share knowledge and guide energy development for long-term wildlife conservation.

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Habitat Conservation that Benefits People

Our purpose is to find solutions to address habitat conservation challenges in the western Great Plains so that birds and other wildlife, agricultural producers, and local communities all prosper and thrive in this landscape.

BIRD DATA

BIRD DATA

We collect information about bird species, and the habitats they use, to inform habitat goals and evaluate conservation strategies. LEARN MORE >>

PLANNING TOOLS

PLANNING TOOLS

Our Implementation Plan and other tools guide the partnership’s conservation strategies and develop projects to meet our habitat goals. LEARN MORE >>

HABITAT WORK

HABITAT WORK

We help partners and producers do habitat conservation work by providing science-based information, funding, and other resources. LEARN MORE >>

Why Playas Are Important

Learn why agricultural producers and rural communities are restoring and preserving their playas. These videos feature farmers, ranchers, and community members talking about the benefits they receive by enrolling their playas in conservation programs — from financial returns, hunting habitat, and groundwater recharge to preserving history and leaving a legacy for future generations.

All Sorts of Wildlife All Sorts of Wildlife
How Playas Work How Playas Work
Restoring Playas for a Better Future Restoring Playas for a Better Future
Preserving a Working Ranch Preserving a Working Ranch
Playas Support Water Sustainability for Community Playas Support Water Sustainability
From Dust to Ducks From Dust to Ducks
Water for Communities Water for Communities
All Sorts of Wildlife All Sorts of Wildlife
Putting Money in My Pocket Putting Money in My Pocket
Making a Difference for Future Generations Making a Difference for Future Generations
Leaving a Legacy Leaving a Legacy
Texas Playa Conservation Initiative Texas Playa Conservation Initiative
Partners Manage Woody Encroachment on Public Lands
Partners Manage Woody Encroachment on Public Lands

In southeast New Mexico, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working to preserve grassland habitat and improve rangeland health on public lands by treating and removing invasive mesquite. This is part of a larger effort through Restore New Mexico to remove mesquite on both public and private lands. Since 2005, the partnership has treated 2,050,630 acres. One of the challenges of addressing woody encroachment is the patchwork distribution of these lands.

US Forest Service Uses IMBCR Data to Inform Grassland Management
US Forest Service Uses IMBCR Data to Inform Grassland Management

Several of the National Grasslands are currently revising their management plans, and grassland bird monitoring data collected through the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program is being used to inform the process. Identifying birds with changing populations on USFS grasslands help biologists prioritize species they should consider when making management plan revisions.

NM State Land Office Restores Playas on Leased Lands
NM State Land Office Restores Playas on Leased Lands

In eastern New Mexico, there are over 2,100 playas, which are temporary wetlands that provide important benefits for both people and wildlife. Most of them are located in areas of native grass or rangeland, including 370 playas located on lands owned by the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO). To ensure that playas on state trust lands are healthy and continue to benefit New Mexico residents and wildlife, the State Land Office is partnering with PLJV and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to restore playas on leased lands.