A recently completed study is offering insights for grassland bird conservation in Nebraska. Conducted between 2022 and 2024,the study found that several bird species of conservation concern had higher abundance on lands enrolled in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) than on native grasslands. Grasshopper Sparrows, Horned Larks, Lark Buntings and Western Meadowlarks were among those recorded in significantly higher numbers on Grassland CRP land.
“We actually saw a handful of species where abundance was higher on Grassland CRP compared to native grasslands,” said Jason Bruggeman, a biostatistician with PLJV. “That was fairly surprising. The expectation going in was either no difference or lower abundance on Grassland CRP lands.”
Funded by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the study surveyed more than 1,300 points across 127 sites through the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Region (IMBCR) program. Researchers analyzed bird abundance at two scales — landscape and home range — while factoring in vegetation height and land cover type. They found that habitat conditions shaped by grazing and haying practices on Grassland CRP land may have contributed to suitable conditions for different species, depending on their habitat preferences.
“This is some early data showing that the Grassland CRP can be beneficial to grassland birds,” said Anne Bartuszevige, PLJV Conservation Science Director. “It gives us some confidence that implementing this program — despite its variability — can support conservation outcomes.”
While the findings are promising, both Bruggeman and Bartuszevige emphasized the need for follow-up work to better understand how grazing intensity and past land use history impact outcomes. “This sets up a lot of questions future studies can explore,” Bruggeman said. “But at the very least, it suggests that Grassland CRP may be part of the solution.”
Read the full report to dive deeper into the data. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Jason Bruggeman or Anne Bartuszevige.