Audubon

https://www.audubon.org/our-work/prairies-and-forests/ranching

What is the Audubon Certified seal?

Beef and bison products carrying the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal come from animals raised on farms and ranches managed in ways that are good for grassland birds and biodiversity. Management practices include adopting grazing approaches to provide abundant habitat, planting native species, controlling invasives, and protecting riparian areas. These practices aim to benefit imperiled grassland birds and bring abundant benefits to pollinators and other wildlife as well.

Benefits to You, the Consumer

Audubon Conservation Ranching not only protects the environment but also is designed to improve the land. Consumers with an appetite for conservation become champions of the planet when they purchase beef and bison products with the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal.

Cattle and bison on Audubon Certified farms and ranches are a living land management tool. Ranchers rotate their herds regularly, enhancing soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity while creating habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Beef and bison products carrying the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal come from animals raised on grass without antibiotics or added hormones and have never set foot on a feedlot.

What is Audubon Conservation Ranching?

Audubon Conservation Ranching is the implementation of regenerative practices to restore resilient grassland ecosystems full of birds, diverse plant life, living soils, and clean water. Audubon is working with farmers and ranchers to build these sustainable ecosystems to benefit imperiled grassland birds through this program.

Audubon Certified ranchers adhere to strict practices and protocols focused on Habitat Management, Animal Health and Welfare, and Environmental Sustainability, with regular audits from Food Alliance, a third-party verifier.

Why are Farmers and Ranchers Partnering with Audubon?

North America’s grasslands are among the most imperiled ecosystems in the world. Consequently, America’s grassland birds have declined more than any other bird group on the continent, some species by as much as 80%, over the last 50 years. Audubon recognized to affect change and “bend the grassland bird curve,” Audubon needs to work collaboratively with the landowners and managers who are the stewards of the vast majority of America’s grasslands—farmers and ranchers.

Benefits to Birds

As the guardians of America’s grasslands, Audubon’s strategy is to keep ranchers ranching with a market-based approach to grassland bird conservation, and empower consumers to support management practices that benefit birds and biodiversity. When managed properly, grazing can improve bird habitat by diversifying structure and plant species composition. Practices in the Audubon Conservation Ranching program ensure diverse bird habitat, healthy soil, abundant pollinators, and cleaner water. To confirm these goals are met, Audubon conducts bird surveys on certified ranches with rancher consent.