{"id":8557,"date":"2025-08-27T14:48:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T14:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/?p=8557"},"modified":"2025-08-27T14:50:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T14:50:14","slug":"willistown-conservation-trust-the-grassland-bird-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/willistown-conservation-trust-the-grassland-bird-collaboration\/","title":{"rendered":"Willistown Conservation Trust\u00a0& The\u00a0Grassland Bird Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why Bird Conservation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Names: <\/strong>Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) & The Grassland Bird Collaboration (GBC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: <\/strong>Pennsylvania<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number of Staff:<\/strong> 24 (WCT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bird Conservation Resources:<\/strong> Collaborative Partnerships, Bird-friendly Habitat Management, Monitoring\/eBird<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contacts:<\/strong> Zoe Warner<\/a>, Grassland Bird Consultant, Willistown Conservation Trust<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Kiziuk<\/a>, Director of Bird Conservation, Willistown Conservation Trust<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Websites:<\/strong> https:\/\/wctrust.org\/<\/a> & https:\/\/wctrust.org\/the-grassland-bird-collaboration\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Grant Awardee 2023 & 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

At Willistown Conservation Trust<\/a> (WCT) in southeastern Pennsylvania, bird conservation is more than a program area\u2014it\u2019s a powerful way to connect people to the land. Birds are beautiful, ubiquitous, and easy for people to relate to, whether they breed in local farm fields or show up at banding stations. As Lisa Kiziuk, WCT\u2019s Director of Bird Conservation, explains, \u201cBirds are ecological indicators. They\u2019re in every landscape, and they can be the bridge between humans and the wilderness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That bridge is especially important in the greater Doe Run area, about 40 miles west of Philadelphia, where private lands make up much of the conservation landscape. Protecting land from development is only the first step for land trusts; the challenge is helping landowners see how their property fits into a larger ecological network. Birds provide an accessible, engaging entry point into that conversation. When people hear a Bobolink singing or see a migration map of \u201ctheir\u201d birds tracked through the Motus Wildlife Tracking System<\/a>, conservation becomes personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grassland Bird Collaboration<\/a> (GBC), launched by WCT in 2022, harnesses that connection to address a troubling trend: steep population declines in species such as Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Grasslands are among the most imperiled bird habitats in the Northeast, and without the active management provided by farmers, essential acres of grassland bird habitat would not exist. The GBC functions within this working landscape, bringing together farmers, landowners, conservation organizations, and researchers to conserve critical breeding habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With support of a small grant<\/a> from the Land Trust Initiative in 2023 and another in 2024, the GBC enrolled about 1,600 acres in delayed mow management over the course of two years, with another 720 acres enrolled as observational fields where management was not altered but bird activity was observed. Additionally, the GBC partnered with the American Mushroom Institute to author an article, \u201cFor the Birds: How Compost Can Aid in Grassland Bird Conservation and Sustainability,\u201d which was published in Mushroom News, a national trade publication. Other outreach included a radio story on a local NPR station and events focused on grassland bird conservation; the small grants also helped support research through bird surveys and the deployment of geolocators\u2014light level sensors that detect a bird\u2019s geographical location\u2014placed on Bobolinks to fill data gaps regarding the species\u2019 habitat use throughout its lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spotlight Resources: Collaborative Partnerships, Bird-friendly Habitat Management, Monitoring\/eBird<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A field enrolled in the GBC program. Photo credit: WCT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The GBC\u2019s focal area is Chester County\u2019s working farmland and preserved open spaces, where other conservation organizations, including Brandywine Conservancy and Natural Lands, partner with the GBC to help reach new landowners. Known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” Chester County dominates U.S. mushroom production, contributing approximately 60% of the country’s total output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This niche industry prefers later-cut hay for mushroom compost, creating a unique opportunity for farm management alignment and implementation of delayed mowing, a practice that allows grassland birds to successfully reproduce before fields are cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment in GBC\u2019s program starts with conversations. Zoe Warner, GBC\u2019s program manager, emphasizes flexibility: \u201cWe\u2019re not being prescriptive. We layer what the birds are telling us with feedback from farmers, and we adjust field by field.\u201d That adaptive approach has led to creative management solutions\u2014a patchwork of early- and late-mowed fields, hayfields left uncut until after breeding, and cattle pastures managed in ways that still support nesting birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GBC also invests in research tools. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System uses tiny nanotags to track birds during their full lifecycles, revealing local movements during the breeding season, annual migration routes, and both staging and stopover sites. When landowners see maps showing \u201ctheir\u201d Bobolinks connecting with birds tagged in Vermont and Maine, interest spikes. One supporter was so inspired he funded his own Motus station; another began referring to the returning Bobolinks as \u201cmy birds\u201d and was inspired to take a more active stewardship role in conserving habitat for the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-the-ground monitoring is equally important. Point-count surveys, led by skilled observers like Connor O\u2019hea, document bird populations and breeding activity on the GBC\u2019s enrolled fields throughout the season. Data is entered into GIS for analysis and shared with the public through eBird<\/a> (with privacy protections for private lands), contributing to the broader scientific community\u2019s understanding of grassland bird populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making the Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The GBC\u2019s success is built on relationships. In a region many landowners are not farming their own land and farmers have been on the land for generations, trust takes time to build. \u201cWe don\u2019t tell them what to do,\u201d says Kiziuk. \u201cWe listen, find common ground, and work from there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A male Bobolink tagged for Motus tracking. Photo credit: WCT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That listening has uncovered surprising alignments between agricultural needs and bird conservation. Delaying hay cutting can be beneficial for farmers who supply mushroom growers, as it helps spread out their workload. This is especially helpful during early summer when they face time constraints and must manage multiple fields that need mowing within a brief period. Cattle farmers may already provide excellent habitat without realizing it due to their rotational grazing practices. When drought or other pressures make delayed mowing impractical, the GBC adapts, shifting bird conservation efforts to other fields within the larger landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partnerships extend beyond local borders. Through Motus, WCT is connected to a network of 29 states and multiple countries tracking species such as Wood Thrush. Collaborations with researchers in Vermont and Maine have already revealed shared stopover sites for Bobolinks. These insights open the door to full annual cycle conservation, in which breeding, migration, and wintering needs may all be considered in management decisions and research findings shared with local landowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most compelling connection is the shift in how people view the land itself. \u201cThe preserved landscape isn\u2019t just open space anymore,\u201d says Warner. \u201cIt\u2019s a working conservation landscape that supports agriculture and essential breeding grounds for grassland birds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advice to Other Land Trusts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A map from 2023 showing detections of focal species in GBC’s program area. Image credit: WCT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For land trusts looking to launch similar programs, both Kiziuk and Warner stress the importance of starting with listening. \u201cBegin by hearing people\u2019s experiences,\u201d says Warner. \u201cThink about how you can fit into what they\u2019re already doing, instead of going right to limitations and constraints.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WCT\u2019s experience shows that conservation outcomes often emerge from collaboration and creativity. Farmers face global pressures like rising fertilizer costs, climate change, and shifting markets. \u201cWe\u2019ve learned as much from the farmers and landowners as they\u2019ve learned from us,\u201d says Warner. A willingness to brainstorm together can lead to unexpected synergies\u2014such as exploring worm casting soil amendments as a locally produced alternative to synthetic fertilizer, which may prove to be an organic supplement that improves agricultural productivity while supporting healthy grassland for birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another key lesson is to embrace flexibility in management. Grasshopper Sparrows may thrive in early-mowed fields once regrowth occurs, while Eastern Meadowlarks can more often nest successfully in both early- and late-mowed areas. Recognizing these species-specific needs allows conservation organizations to create a mosaic of habitats across the landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, harness the power of technology and storytelling. Creating tangible experiences for the public\u2014whether it\u2019s sharing a migration map from Motus or releasing a Savannah Sparrow from a banding station\u2014can deepen community engagement and foster an ethic of stewardship. \u201cWhen people see birds up close, it changes the way they look at them,\u201d says Kiziuk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Participants at a bird walk hosted by the GBC. Photo credit: WCT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The GBC is looking ahead to several promising directions. Geolocator data tracking a full year of bird movements will soon provide richer insights into local habitat use, migration patterns, staging areas, and wintering grounds. Understanding where birds concentrate outside the breeding season could lead to targeted conservation partnerships with organizations in critical stopover or winter habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locally, the GBC is exploring the role of soil health in sustainable bird-friendly farming. Investigating questions about nitrogen loss from haying, pesticide use, invasive plants, and the potential benefits of organic amendments could shape future management recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also interest in expanding the program geographically. Neighboring land trusts and towns have expressed interest in joining the effort, and the GBC sees itself as an umbrella organization offering guidance and coordination in the future. The long-term vision is a connected network of working conservation landscapes across the Northeast, each contributing to the survival of grassland birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the GBC\u2019s work is about weaving together the threads of conservation, agriculture, and community. Through on-the-ground experimentation, research, and community building, the GBC is creating a model for how working lands can serve both farmers and grassland birds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Grassland Bird Collaboration, launched by Willistown Conservation Trust in 2022, was supported by small grants in 2023 and 2024 to support its efforts across working farmland and preserved open spaces in southeastern Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":8569,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_birdpress_hero_toggle":true,"_birdpress_hero_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_image_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_style":"default","_birdpress_hero_ratio":"","_birdpress_hero_h1":"","_birdpress_hero_media_id":8560,"_birdpress_hero_media_array_id":[],"_birdpress_hero_media_array":[],"_birdpress_hero_media":0,"_birdpress_hero_video_id":0,"_birdpress_hero_video":0,"_birdpress_hero_youtube":"","_birdpress_hero_content":true,"_birdpress_hero_byline":"","_birdpress_hero_byline_bottom":"","_birdpress_hero_button_link":"","_birdpress_hero_button_text":"","_birdpress_hero_button_color":"","_birdpress_hero_date":false,"original_guid":"","_birdpress_hide_search":false,"_birdpress_page_width":"","_birdpress_global_cta":false,"_birdpress_widget_sidebar":"","_birdpress_next_article":0,"_birdpress_next_article_title":"","_birdpress_prev_article":8056,"_birdpress_prev_article_title":"Mass Audubon’s Bobolink Project, Metrowest Conservation Alliance, and Tufts University","_birdpress_sub_navigation_id":0,"_birdpress_sub_navigation":"","_birdpress_sub_navigation_title":false,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation_id":0,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation":"","_birdpress_postType":"both","_birdpress_categoryID":0,"_birdpress_tagID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostTitle":"","_birdpress_menuID":0,"_birdpress_menuName":"","_birdpress_listHeader":"","_birdpress_listLayout":"card-display","_birdpress_listColumns":"","_birdpress_maxItems":12,"_birdpress_listPaginate":true,"_birdpress_displaySort":true,"_birdpress_sortOrder":"DESC","_birdpress_sortBy":"date","_birdpress_listID":"","_birdpress_listClass":"","_birdpress_displayImages":true,"_birdpress_displayCaptions":false,"_birdpress_displayExcerpts":false,"_birdpress_attTop":"","_birdpress_attBottom":"","_birdpress_showLogos":false,"_birdpress_post_logo":8565,"mc4wp_mailchimp_campaign":[],"wds_primary_category":32,"wds_primary_content-format":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[57],"content-format":[],"class_list":["post-8557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-success-stories","tag-small-grant"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8557\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8557"},{"taxonomy":"content-format","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/landtrust\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-format?post=8557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}