Washington has lost 70% of our grasslands, with the remainder heavily fragmented and in poor health. The Tribal Grasslands project presents an ideal opportunity involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders—Yakama Nation and Kalispel Tribe, local school children, Audubon chapters, and private land-users—to observe and preserve an indicator species caught between climate change and direct agricultural threats to its grassland habitat.

Since 2010, adult and youth volunteers have gathered migratory and nesting data on the Bobolink which resulted in the adoption of the 2011 Yakama Nation Bobolink Management Plan. Yakama Nation has since constructed cross-fencing for cattle pastures in order to protect nesting birds. The Kalispel Tribe has practiced delayed mowing in hay fields until after the Bobolinks have fledged. 

Funders

Kalispel Tribe of Indians
Tulalip Tribes
Patagonia Foundation