This is Audubon’s philosophy, that birds are both inspirational and indicators of change. Birds tell us the environment is changing, but who is listening to the birds? Who is taking action?
The Great Plains are a beautiful place. We are blessed with wide open spaces, forest-lined rivers, wetlands and lakes where birds thrive; but we cannot take what we have for granted. I have heard it said that we are always one generation away from loss. The Great Plains depends on land stewards to support the habitat for wildlife and people to prosper. In my travels around North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska over the last year I have met so many people that have chosen to be land stewards. Let me tell you more about two of these encounters.
Last spring, I was privileged to spend time at the remote Cheyenne River Ranch in Western South Dakota while they hosted the SD Grazing Lands Coalition for a Bison and Birds tour. We were greeted by Dan O’Brien, author of “Wild Idea: Buffalo and Family in a Difficult Land”, owner of Wild Idea Buffalo Co., ACR Rancher, land steward, philosopher, and grandfather. Cheyenne River Ranch and Wild Idea Buffalo Co. are rooted in Dan’s decades-long work restoring the endangered Peregrine Falcon to the Rocky Mountains in the 1970s and 80s, which served as a catalyst for the company.
Speaking on prairie grasses and bison ranching, he explained that when you pay attention to the world around you, you know when the ecosystem is out of balance. You know when you need to make changes. He commented, “There is something wrong if the birds aren’t right.”
Recently, I met with several community leaders in North Omaha to discuss possible urban habitat restorations that could also add food harvesting opportunities for local communities from Africa, and other countries. We visited a very small urban small park, less than half an acre that often has trash dumped and needs regular care. It was pointed out that right across the park, a couple purchased a house because they wanted to be near that green space and have since started to clean and care for the park. Once one person starts, others follow and start to care.
There are so many people with a passion and drive to care for our natural spaces. Small steps lead to larger impact and communities that care and take action.
Throughout the Great Plains, we are expanding programs that actively engage local communities in our conservation efforts. For instance, we’re extending the Urban Woods and Prairies Initiative—already stewarding over 1,000 acres across more than 30 sites in the Dakotas—to communities along the Platte River, broadening its reach and impact. Additionally, our team has grown with new staff members joining us and several internal promotions that recognize the dedication and talent within our organization.
Stories like Dan’s and those of community leaders in North Omaha are inspiring us to rethink conservation and agriculture, highlighting new ways to connect people and nature in meaningful, lasting ways.
