After four years of development, a new conservation tool aims to answer two critical questions: What happens to grassland birds if we remove invasive trees in the Central Grasslands — and what happens if we don’t? The Grassland Outcomes Tool for Birds (GOT Birds) was created to help biologists and conservation planners across four Migratory Bird Joint Ventures understand how woody plant management affects bird populations. It uses geospatial data and bird monitoring information to estimate changes in abundance for species of concern across a 350 million-acre study area. The species list focuses on species that are of conservation concern, as identified by each joint venture. Both breeding and nonbreeding season results are available.

Across Texas, woody plants are steadily spreading into grasslands. Mesquite, juniper, and other brush species are crowding out native grasses, eating into forage for cattle, changing water cycles, and raising the risk of wildfire. To slow that spread, Playa Lakes, Oaks and Prairies, and Rio Grande Joint Ventures are going beyond herbicides, fire, and mechanical control. The partners are using social science to learn what motivates landowners to manage brush – and what deters them –  then creating more effective communication and outreach messages that promote taking action early before these woody plants are harder and more expensive to control. 

PLJV recently launched the PlayasWorkForColorado.com website that provides information about playas, the benefits they provide, how to restore and conserve playas, and other resources. The new website was developed in partnership with other Colorado conservation partners as part of the Colorado Playa Collaborative, with funding provided by the Colorado State Land Board.