Across the United States, bird species are on the decline. That’s due to a number of factors, including loss of habitat, disappearing food sources and climate change. But in Washington, one program is hoping to create more habitat for birds — using ranches. NWPB's Senior Environmental Correspondent Courtney Flatt joined host Phineas Pope to discuss.
Phineas Pope: Ranches might not be the thing that comes to mind when talking about solutions for birds. Talk about how this program works, and how it helps birds?
Courtney Flatt: On the Columbia Plateau in Washington, there are a ton of private property owners. And if they want to create meaningful habitat for birds, a lot of that's going to be on private property.
Working with ranchers is kind of a natural fit. That’s because when the land that they're working is kept in good condition, it's good for the cattle, the ranchers, the birds and any other species that might be roaming through. They're really large, intact areas that aren't available elsewhere, and it could really create a lot of good habitat for birds as they're either migrating to and from places, or just living here in Washington.
Pope: Are there certain birds more at risk that the program will cater towards?
Flatt: In Washington, they're looking at some priority species like sage grouse. They're these really cool looking birds that make really weird noises. But they need a lot of space, especially when they're mating and nesting. There's burrowing owls, all sorts of migratory birds that come through — but they have a few that they're really hoping to create more habitat for, that might need it more than others.
Pope: And this program, as you reported, was originally designed for ranches in the Midwest. How is it being adapted out west in Washington?
Flatt: It actually started in Missouri. They have very different landscapes than we do, very different types of ranching. It's more grassland, prairie land and smaller ranches as well.
Out here, we have a lot of larger ranches, and a lot of ranches also use public grazing lands, too. We have to adapt to a new climate, larger spaces that need more surveying for birds, and for their soil conditions and different types of grasses and forbs that are there.
It's pretty new here. You have to look at each ranch separately and see what that ranch needs for birds and for cattle.
Pope: Is the program gaining traction in the way that Washington Audubon thought it would?
Flatt: It's really new here, and they're just kicking it off. As far as I know, unless it's been in the last couple of days, no ranch has signed on yet. But there are people who are interested and are probably already doing some of these conservation moves for birds, but just want the recognition.
Pope: This story is part of what's called solutions journalism. Can you talk about what that means and how NWPB is involved?
Flatt: Solutions journalism looks more at things people are doing in their communities to find ways to help, rather than just focusing on problems.
It's a lot of the same stories that we've reported before, but really examining the solutions. We're looking at why they might be working, what the challenges are and if they can potentially expand to other communities.
Solutions journalism is really a way for us here at NWPB to look not just at problems, but at how places in Washington, Oregon and Idaho are seeking solutions.
Note: This transcript has been edited for clarity.
