Anthony Hauck, National Audubon Conservation Ranch Program

“Birds, Beef, and a Better Climate.” Traditional conservation approaches have failed to stem the continued loss of native grasslands and the precipitous decline of grassland birds, now estimated to be a 53% population decline since the first Earth Day. Nearly 70% of grassland species are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. Audubon Conservation Ranching, the National Audubon Society’s novel, market-based approach to grassland bird conservation, is working at the intersection of wildlife, food, people, and climate to slow these trends.  Anthony will talk about the Audubon Conservation Ranching’s certification program, which yields on-the-ground habitat results as well as the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal that helps consumers recognize beef and bison products that originated on lands managed for birds and biodiversity. Grasslands also keep more carbon in the ground and capture it in plants, reducing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.  The bottom line: What’s good for grassland birds is also good for climate change mitigation.

Anthony has dedicated his career to conservation communications. Before joining Audubon he served at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and prior to that, Pheasants Forever. He’s proud to call the prairie home, with grassland and agricultural roots along the Minnesota and South Dakota border. His love for birds took flight at Salt Lake, a historic prairie basin and birding destination bordered by both states.

Monthly chapter meetings are held the second Thursday of the month, September-May, at 7:00 p.m. They are open and free of charge to everyone. They include time to socialize and brief chapter announcements, followed by featured presentations each month on a range of topics.

An option for viewing the presentations remotely will also be provided.