9/21/2022

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 
New Landowner Conservation Services Workshop Front Royal, VA
September 16, 2022
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Virginia Working Landscapes
Erin Shibley, VWL Survey Coordinator
Justin Proctor, Coordinator, Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative 

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Where We Work Virginia Working Landscapes
Albemarle Madison Mission: To promote the conservation of native biodiversity and 
Augusta Orange sustainable land management through scientific research, education, and 
Clarke Page community engagement
Culpeper Prince William
Fauquier Rappahannock
Frederick Rockingham
Greene Shenandoah
Loudoun Warren

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Goals
Grassland Biodiversity Survey Sites
1. Advance the science of land management 
to inform best practices that integrate 
production and conservation goals of land 
managers.
2. Collaborate with working farms to 
showcase best practices for different land 
uses, agricultural production, and 
biodiversity management.
3. Build research partnerships that amplify 
diverse skill sets to maximize conservation 
impact.
4. Cultivate the next generation of 
conservationists through mentoring, 
networking, and professional development.
5. Create a diverse community network to 
promote dissemination of information from 
neighbor to neighbor.

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 9/21/2022

VWL Landowner Network Grassland 
Annual Grassland Biodiversity Surveys
Biodiversity 
• At least 20‐30 acres of grassland habitat Surveys
• Field management considerations
➢ Birds
Other research participation opportunities
➢ Plants
➢ Pollinators
➢ Soil

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Citizen Science Program Field Walks and Landowner Workshops
Join our team of volunteers!
• All training is provided
• Learn to conduct 
various field surveys
• Many continuing 
education 
opportunities
• Visit beautiful farms 
throughout Virginia
• Contribute to 
conservation in your 
community

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Monthly Newsletters Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative

Justin Proctor
Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes
Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative 

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 9/21/2022

The plight of grasslands
➢ More than 80% of native grassland ecosystems across North America have been lost
‐ conversion of grassland habitat to other uses
‐ natural reversion of grassland to forest
‐ intensification of agricultural practices on remaining grasslands

The plight of grassland birds
➢ 53% decline in 50 years
➢ Virginia’s priority conservation species, the Northern Bobwhite, 
has declined by > 80% since the 1970’s
➢ “Wildlife conservation crisis of the 21st Century”

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There are more than 50 species of birds…

that rely on grasslands in Virginia throughout the year.

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But most of what remains of their habitat is surrogate habitat

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VGBI Goals Outreach
➢ Raise awareness on grassland bird conservation

➢ Translate locally‐derived science into tangible conservation outcomes 
VGBI is the conduit between research and implementation

➢ Unify messaging across regional conservation practitioners
‐ Align priority landscapes and BMPs across stakeholders

➢ Assist farmers in adopting BMPs
‐ Streamlined technical assistance
‐ New and flexible funding opportunities
‐ Diverse outreach strategy
‐ Increased capacity

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Ambassador Landowners Incentives Program
VGBI programs are a stepping off point for landowners and producers, while 
giving them the tools to turn these practices into sustainable farming methods  ➢ In‐house financial assistance for producers willing to adopt vetted BMPs
and opportunities to share their experiences with their peers. ➢ Offset any perceived financial risk
➢ Grease the wheels of change – QUICKLY & EFFICIENTLY
Beatrice & Adie Von Gontard, 
Oxbow Farm
Photo by Amy Johnson, VWL

Delayed Spring Haying Summer Pasture Stockpiling
(Late Hay) (Early Graze)
BMP: select fields are not  BMP: cattle are rotationally grazed 
hayed in the spring until  off select fields in April, and then 
July 1  moved back on in August

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Nest‐boxes:
A win‐win for research, conservation, and outreach

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 9/21/2022

Erin Shibley, VWL Survey Coordinator 
Take home points ThadyE@si.edu
Justin Proctor, Coordinator of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative 
Agriculture, while historically seen as an obstacle to conservation,  ProctorCJ@si.edu
should be seen as an opportunity. 

Conducting locally relevant research in collaboration with 
community partners, landowners, and producers on private 
working lands is advancing the conservation of grassland birds 
and their habitats while influencing larger‐scale changes in 
regenerative landscape management. For more information:
www.VAWorkingLandscapes.org
Grazing and haying can work for both grassland birds and 
VirginiaWorkingLandscapes@si.edu
farmer production goals. 

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 Virginia Working Landscapes - Landowner Information Packet
Biodiversity Surveys
Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) is a program of the Smithsonian Conservation
Biology Institute (SCBI) located in Front Royal, Virginia. SCBI serves as an umbrella
for the Smithsonian’s global effort to conserve species and train future generations of
conservationists.

Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) began in 2010 as a way to leverage partnerships

and the expertise of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) to help
local landowners understand their properties—using science to conduct surveys of
indicator species (bird, plant and pollinator) and collect data that over time could elucidate the impact of different
land management practices on biodiversity. Grasslands were selected as the initial focus because they were the least
well-known among the working landscape types (e.g. forests, wetlands, streams and riparian zones) and had a
known suite of declining species in need of further research.

Please visit our website (www.vaworkinglandscapes.org) for more information.

Why study grasslands?

Although Virginia, like much of the eastern United States, was mostly forested in precolonial times, it included
grasslands established and maintained by disturbance (i.e. storms, fires, and disease) and grazing. These grasslands
were not expansive or continuous like the Great Plains, but were home to a suite of native plants -including warm
season grasses (WSG), and the pollinators, birds, and other species that depended on them.

In the past 200 years our agricultural tradition has changed the landscape from nearly continuous forest to a mosaic
of forests, grasslands, pasture and croplands. Although these practices likely benefited some grassland species by
opening up the landscape, much of these native grasslands have since been lost through historic conversion to
Eurasian cool season grasses (CSG), intensive land management, and more recently, invasion by non-native plant
species. Accordingly, many of the native plants, pollinators, and birds that depend on native warm season grasses
have declined over the last half century due to the loss of natural habitats.

Farmlands and associated grasslands in Virginia have been disappearing over the last 50 years - lost to forest
succession and development. Today, about half of the Commonwealth is forested; about 30-40% is grassland,
pasture, and croplands, with the remainder being exurban or urban development. As the quality and quantity of
grasslands decline, much of the biodiversity that supports and regulates our agricultural economy is lost. Yet, this
biological wealth and the benefits that come from it, are essential for our individual and shared economic welfare.
To that end, conservation biologists have become increasingly interested in sustaining biodiversity across a
landscape that is composed of both public and private lands.

In Virginia, the overwhelming majority of working lands are held in private hands – more than 90% of Virginia is
privately owned. Therefore, private landowners are both the keepers of their own economic well-being and the
stewards of the public interest –the natural resources of Virginia. In order for VWL to be successful we rely on
community engagement with the landowners in the region.

Biodiversity Surveys - General Information & Working with Local Landowners

VWL staff and a team of SCBI scientists, graduate students, interns, and citizen scientists conduct biodiversity
surveys on over 150 properties in our 16-county study region in the Piedmont and Northern Valley (from
Albemarle and Augusta in the south to Frederick and Loudoun in the north). These surveys help us better
understand the factors that affect the region’s biodiversity and also to develop best land management practices for
people and wildlife.
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Every year, we recruit and welcome additional landowners whose properties serve as new sites for our biodiversity
surveys. At the end of each season, we provide landowners a summary of species observed on their property. Taken
together, data from each of these farms will be analyzed as part of a larger study on the relationship between land-
management and native species biodiversity and long-term studies that will utilize this data to predict the future of
our region’s landscapes.

VWL takes a number of steps when establishing relationships with landowners, so that we are able to best
understand the specific features of each property.
• In order to assess the suitability of properties for surveys, we first ask that landowners include a map or
satellite image of their property with initial contact.
• Next, VWL staff will meet with the landowner(s) on site to determine which surveys can be conducted
based on protocol and survey requirements.
• If selected for surveys, VWL staff will work with landowner(s) to finalize survey locations, establish a
protocol for visiting citizen scientists to contact landowner and/or land manager prior to making site visits,
and review any specific rules or requirements for working on the site (e.g. where to park, which fields are
acceptable to walk through, etc.).
• Due to resource limitations, we are unable to survey every property each field season; however, we make
our best effort to re-visit sites every three years to account for changes in biodiversity over time.

For more information on biodiversity surveys, protocols and what to expect if we survey your property, see
descriptions below. If you are interested in joining the VWL Landowner Network, having biodiversity
surveys conducted on your property, or are just looking for more information, please contact Erin Thady
at ThadyE@si.edu.

Biodiversity Survey Descriptions for Landowners - 2022

Grassland Bird Surveys

Survey description:
The breeding bird survey was designed to investigate the relationship between grassland birds and both
plant diversity and structure during the nesting season. For this survey, field team members sample
breeding birds using a point count method for 10-minute intervals and identify each bird seen or heard within 100
meters of each survey point. One survey site is defined by three points (labeled A, B, and C) which are established at
least 100 meters from the forest edge and approximately 200 meters from each other. Each survey site is visited
three times, with three point counts conducted during each visit (totaling nine point counts for each site).

Survey period: May-June

Necessary land features for survey:

20+ acre fields (grazed, hay fields, fallow, pollinator meadows)

What to expect during survey:

For the breeding bird survey, VWL staff and trained citizen scientist volunteers will visit property a total of three
times, arriving within 3 hours of sunrise and spending approximately 45-60 minutes on site during each visit. During
the survey period, we will request that landowner refrain from haying or bush-hogging field from May 15th-June
30th.

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Grassland Plant Surveys
Survey description:
The goal of the grassland plant survey is to determine the plant species composition of each site to provide
insight on native species richness. In this survey, field team members identify plant species along a transect
at each site defined by three points (labeled A, B, and C) to determine plant species occurrence and diversity. Each
transect consists of seven 1 m2 plots totaling 21 plots per transect. Sites are visited twice, once in the spring (June)
and once in the summer (August).

Survey period: June-August

Necessary land features for survey:

20+ acre fields (grazed, hay fields, fallow, pollinator meadows)

What to expect during survey:

VWL staff and citizen scientist volunteers will visit property twice, once in the spring (June) and once in the
summer (August), spending approximately 6-8 hours on site for each visit.
During the survey period, we will request that landowner communicate management schedule, so that grassland
plants have had time to mature prior to each field survey.

Due to the nature of sampling methods, the species lists reported in the landowner survey report do not necessarily
reflect all species that occur on a property. The VWL survey team is happy to discuss or answer questions about the
survey results for your property.

In addition to the landowner survey report, VWL hosts a year-end landowner and citizen scientist appreciation
event annually. Such events allow us to highlight the collaborative relationships that make VWL’s goals achievable,
and show thanks for the efforts of those involved in the year’s survey season. It also provides an opportunity for
landowners in our network to connect with one another and share stories, ideas, and best practices. Many of our
landowners have established long-term collaborative relationships through this annual event.

Biodiversity Surveys - Long-term Impacts

The VWL Biodiversity Surveys were developed as a long-term study of the relationships among grassland plant
species and associated wildlife, in a predominantly agricultural landscape. These studies were designed to inform the
development of best practices for sustainable land management. In the years since the initial grassland species
surveys, additional surveys, including mammal, invasive plant, and salamander surveys, have also been incorporated
via new research projects and partnerships with other initiatives. This has allowed VWL to address forest species
composition and health, in addition to the continued study of regional grasslands. Understanding the landscape
mosaic (i.e. patchwork of field, forest, and stream) more completely will enable us to better understand the status of
important regional biodiversity and the effects of land-use practices and landscape change.

VWL surveys and other ongoing collaborative efforts also support the education and career goals of graduate
students, interns, and volunteers. Long-term data collected in surveys can provide the basis and content for theses
and dissertations, while participation in survey protocol and data analysis by interns and volunteers creates valuable
learning and skill building experiences. We could not accomplish any of our surveys without our team of citizen
scientists. Our citizen scientists are hardworking and dedicated naturalists who are not only key contributors to our
research, but also serve as conservation advocates in their communities. By engaging in our program, our volunteers
are given a unique opportunity to further their education. Our goal is to offer them learning experiences with our
scientists in the field and also at expert-led workshops and events.

VWL partners established the Changing Landscapes Initiative with the goal of understanding the ecological and
cultural heritage of our landscape and how these factors are impacted by land use practices. This research initiative
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combines regional stakeholder expertise with landscape models to produce novel information on how land-use
affects natural resources. This information will be provided to local planners and policy makers to inform
conservation planning efforts. VWL is using the newly designed wildlife surveys to connect site-specific measures of
biodiversity across the region. Moreover, the stakeholder workshops improve our understanding of regional social
and economic needs and provide additional opportunities for member networking and outreach. This project has
great potential to improve the long-term economic and environmental health of our region by allowing us to
envision a shared future where wildlife and people thrive.

You can find more information about our long-term partnering research projects on the following pages of our website:

• The Changing Landscapes Initiative - http://www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/research/changing-landscapes-

initiative

VWL Contact Information

VIRGINIA WORKING LANDSCAPES

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

1500 Remount Road

Front Royal, VA 22630

540.635.0038 | SCBIVWL@si.edu

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 Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative
Supporting Landowners and Farmers with Grassland Bird Conservation

What is the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative?

North America’s native grasslands have suffered the most intense impact by humans of any
of the country’s terrestrial ecosystems, resulting in grassland birds experiencing a steeper
decline than any other guild of birds.

Remaining grassland birds have now adapted to using hayfields and pasturelands as
surrogate habitat—an ecological trap under the wrong conditions or a unique opportunity
for conservation under the right conditions. Research has demonstrated that implementing
a specific suite of best management practices on agricultural land can actually benefit
grassland birds, as well as restore ecosystem functionality to those working landscapes. With
the majority of remaining grasslands in Virginia currently held in private hands and under
agricultural use, both farmers and their working landscapes have become instrumental in the
future of grassland bird conservation.

Long-term studies have shown

declines in 32 of 37 North
American grassland-associated
species over the past 50 years.
Here in Virginia, iconic grassland
species like the Northern Bobwhite
and Eastern Meadowlark have
declined by more than 75%.

Through the launch of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, The Piedmont Environmental
Council, Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, American Farmland Trust, and Quail
Forever have partnered to address this conservation challenge, working with producers to
implement a suite of best management practices on agricultural lands to simultaneously
accomplish the following goals:

— Stem the tide of grassland bird decline —

— Improve the resiliency of working landscapes —
— Positively impact the livelihoods that depend upon those lands —

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative • vagrasslandbirds.org

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative Goals
• Raise awareness about the plight of grassland birds
• Identify science-based best management practices that
benefit grassland birds, landscape sustainability, and farmers
• Assist producers and landowners in adopting bird-friendly
practices
• Develop programming that capacitates technical assistance
and provides new and flexible funding opportunities
• Unify messaging across regional conservation practitioners
• Create opportunities for training and dissemination of
knowledge
• Place Virginia on the map as a nationally recognized bird
conservation region
Eastern Meadowlark eggs.

The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative helps landowners and producers

connect with—and ultimately protect—the abundance of bird life on their
property.

Where We Work
Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative
Working Region

Visit vagrasslandbirds.org to learn more and get involved!

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative • vagrasslandbirds.org

 FIELD MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES Eastern Meadowlark

for Virginia’s Grassland & Shrubland Birds

Updated: April 2021

This guide is intended for landowners who are interested in helping grassland birds and have
some flexibility in their management approaches. Even just choosing to implement one of the
practices listed below can have a positive impact. The information in this handout is based off American Kestrel
nearly a decade of Virginia Working Landscapes grassland research, which aims to use science to
inform best management practices for biodiversity conservation. To learn more about our re-
search, visit: www.vaworkinglandscapes.org
Grassland and shrubland birds are declining more than any other group of birds. These declines
have been attributed to anthropogenic causes such as agricultural intensification, habitat loss/
fragmentation and pesticide use, and are increasingly exacerbated by the effects of climate Eastern Bluebird
change. Farmlands and associated grasslands (i.e., cropland, livestock pasture) in Virginia are one
of the most understudied ecosystems in the state. However, these working grasslands are home
to some of our nation’s most threatened species of birds throughout the year. With over 80% of
Virginia’s grasslands currently held in private hands, the survival and well-being of these vulner-
able species depends entirely on the decisions made by private landowners.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Bobolink

1. If possible, delay field maintenance until mid-July. If circumstances require you to cut earlier, try to do so by
late-May and wait at least 65 days before the next cut. Although this first cut will undoubtedly disturb nesting birds,
it is early enough in the season that they will likely re-nest. Waiting the 65 day period will allow most species to
successfully fledge at least one clutch of young.2,3,6

2. If you have fallow fields that are managed once annually, the optimal time of year to bush-hog is Field Sparrow
Feb 15—Apr 1. This leaves ample cover for overwintering birds (and arthropods!).

3. If circumstances require you to mow during the breeding season, focus on smaller fields first and work your
way up to larger fields. Larger fields (>30 acres) have a higher density of grassland nesting birds.6,4

4. Manage fields in patches (i.e. Burn or cut 1/3 of field per year) to leave varying structure and cover for birds
year-round.2
Northern Bobwhite Quail
5. Incorporate native grasses, forbs and legumes into your fields to provide foraging opportunities and
protective cover.1,2,6

6. Promote connectivity of grasslands between neighboring farms. Large expanses of connected grasslands are
the most important for many of our grassland obligates.2,6

7. Follow low intensity or rotational grazing practices, as this improves insect availability and provides favorable
Loggerhead Shrike
foraging conditions for grassland birds. Rotational grazing also encourages regeneration of soils and vegetation.2,4

8. Modify cutting speed and pattern by mowing your field slowly in a spiraling motion from the inside of the field
outwards. This allows the birds time and space to escape. Avoid mowing at night.1,2,6

9. Increase cutting height to a minimum of 6-8 inches. This not only leaves protective cover for nesting grassland
birds and their fledglings but also helps promote healthy root systems and soil health.1
Common Yellowthroat
10. Attach flushing bars to the front of your tractor (dangling chains) to flush young birds in your mower’s path2,3

11. Hang nest boxes for cavity-nesting species like American Kestrels, Barn Owls, and Eastern Bluebirds.5
*For references and citations, visit https://www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/education/resources/field-management-guidelines-for-grassland-birds/

www.vaworkinglandscapes.org
/VirginiaWorkingLandscapes @VirginiaWorkingLandscapes Red-winged Blackbird
 Field Management Risk Calendar for Grassland Birds
Updated: April 2021
Green Zone Red Zone
Management season: opti- Peak Breeding season: includes
mal time for field manage- peak nesting period for many
ment, especially if field is grassland species resulting of Bobolink

only managed once per year. >90% mortality of nestlings if

mowed during this time.

Apr 15

Sep 15
Feb 15

May 1

Aug 1
Apr 1

Jul 1
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Yellow Zone Dark Orange Zone Light Orange Zone

Conservation season: in- Extended Breeding Active season: includes
cludes early season growth of season: includes timeframe when birds are us-
vegetation for breeding birds timeframe for early- ing fields as stopover sites and
and maintenance (e.g. Eastern Meadow- fueling up for migration.
of vegetation structure for larks) or late-season
overwintering birds. nesters (e.g. American
Goldfinches).

*Late season hay can be used for bedding hay, fodder for
Eastern Meadowlark mature livestock, or mulch. Some benefits of late-season hay
harvesting include the protection of fledglings and nesting
site habitat for rare grassland bird species and shorter hay
Illustrations by Olivia Cosby
drying times.

What species can we expect in Virginia’s grasslands, and when?

Habitat associations based off of data collected from Virginia Working Landscapes’ annual grassland bird surveys

Species Present in VA Habitat Association

American
Year-round Open grassland habitats including meadows, pastures and hayfields
Kestrel

Bobolink Spring/Summer Large grasslands dominated by sparse cool-season grasses intermixed with broad-leafed forbs

Common
Spring/Summer Thick, broad-leafed vegetation including wildflower meadows, wetlands and fallow fields
Yellowthroat

Dickcissel Spring/Summer Large grasslands with dense cover, tall vegetation, and many (>10/ha) elevated song perches

Eastern
Year-round Wide range of grasslands but requires cavities for nesting and multiple perches
Bluebird

Eastern Kingbird Spring/Summer Wide range of grassland habitats with mature trees nearby for nesting

Eastern
Year-round Large, expansive cool-season pastures and hayfields with sparse vegetation
Meadowlark

Field Sparrow Year-round Both warm and cool-season meadows containing ample forbs and shrubs

Grasshopper Sparrow Spring/Summer Large, expansive cool-season pastures and hayfields with short vegetation

Indigo Bunting Spring/Summer Both warm and cool-season meadows with ample forbs and shrubs, large or small fields

Loggerhead Shrike Year-round Large contiguous grasslands (pastures) with scattered shrubs for perching and impaling prey

Northern
Year-round Requires mixture of habitat types including meadows with ample edge habitat for cover and bare ground
Bobwhite Quail
Northern
Year-round Expansive grassland habitat with sparse/short grasses for hunting and patches of tall/dense grasses for roosting
Harrier

Red-winged Blackbird Year-round Wide range of grassland habitats, higher densities in wet areas with patches of thick vegetation

Short-eared Owl Winter Expansive grassland habitat with sparse/short grasses for hunting and patches of tall/dense grasses for roosting
 Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative
Incentives for Delayed Haying &
Summer Pasture Stockpiling
Credit: Hugh Kenny/PEC

What is the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative?

Native grasslands have suffered more intense impact by humans than any other North
American terrestrial ecosystem, and remaining grassland birds have now adapted to using
hayfields and pasturelands as surrogate habitat. Grassland bird conservation, therefore,
falls largely on private landowners and farmers in particular. Through the launch of
the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI), The Piedmont Environmental Council,
Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, American Farmland Trust, and Quail Forever
have partnered together to address the ongoing decline of grassland bird populations in
Virginia. PGBI works with producers to implement a suite of best management practices on
working landscapes to accomplish the following goals: 1. stem the tide of grassland bird
decline, 2. improve the resiliency of working landscapes, and 3. positively impact the
livelihoods that depend upon those lands.

Incentives Program
With funding support from the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, VGBI is
excited to offer monetary incentive payments to farmers willing to adopt one (or both) of
the following best management practices, which encourage an abundance and diversity of
bird species. Birds provide important ecosystem services that directly improve the resiliency
of working landscapes. Note: Price per acre will be based on a combination of fair market value
and conservation value.

Delayed Haying Summer Pasture Stockpiling

How it works: Delay the first spring cutting of hay on How it works: Rotate cattle off select fields by April 15
select fields until July 1 or later and withhold livestock, and withhold livestock, tractor/UTV activity, mowing,
tractor/UTV activity, and other disturbances such as and other disturbances such as herbicide and fertilizer
herbicide and fertilizer applications during this time. applications until July 1 or later.

Benefits: Allows producers to strategically spread out Benefits: Bridges the summer dormancy gap by
labor requirements and could lead to potential for providing standing forage in late summer without the
marketing farm and products as bird friendly. Higher risk and cost of planting summer annuals. Provides
fiber, more mature hay is suitable for feeding dry cows, the opportunity to rest and prepare other fields for
horses, and retired animals, as well as for mushroom fall/winter stockpiling with the goal of reducing hay
hay and bedding. Land stays eligible for agricultural feeding days and annual feed cost.
land use tax deferral.

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative • vagrasslandbirds.org

VGBI’s financial incentives program targets farmers interested in adopting delayed spring
haying and/or summer pasture stockpiling into their long-term production goals but
who might be hesistant about the financial risks involved. VGBI offsets the initial costs of
piloting these best management practices so farmers can eventually make a full transition.

Eligible Counties
Augusta, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Page,
Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren

Site Selection
Most grassland bird species require wide expanses of grasses for nesting, so acreage
that best mimics a large, contiguous patch of grass, distant from thick forest edges and
human development, is best suited for this incentive program. Here are some habitat
characteristics to consider when selecting fields and/or pastures:
• Size: 20 or more acres are preferred.
• Shape: Square or rectangle fields are preferred over long, narrow fields, fields with
many twists and turns, and fields with patches of shrubs or trees throughout.
• Surroundings: Fields surrounded by other hay fields or pastures are preferred over
those bordered by forest or development.

Field Suitability
High (A): Large (more than 10 acres), square or
rectangular shape, open grasses, connected to other
fields, few or no forested borders.

Medium (B): Long and narrow or irregular shape,

some forested borders, some connectivity with other
fields. These fields may be considered if grassland
birds are present.

Low (C): Small (less than 10 acres), long and narrow

or irregular shape, patches of trees within, most
or all forested borders, no connectivity with other
fields.

How to Participate
1. Reach out to VGBI Co-coordinator October Greenfield by email at ogreenfield@pecva.org
or by phone at (540) 347-2334 x7051. A team member will then schedule a site visit.
2. Visit vagrasslandbirds.org/financial-incentives for more resources.

Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative • vagrasslandbirds.org