Opportunity offers security for ranchers and prairie birds

The Nature Conservancy has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on an innovative and voluntary program that contributes toward the conservation of greater sage-grouse and four declining grassland songbird species on ranching and agricultural lands. The goal of the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) is to maintain and enhance habitats for these birds while providing assurances to ranchers against potential future land use restrictions.

Landowners who enroll in this voluntary program agree to address threats to the birds and their habitat on their p...