named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area
Protected grassland area within the Washington County Grasslands managed by GBT for bird conservation and public birdwatching opportunities
Land Conservation and Management
Acquires and manages grassland habitat using best management practices to support breeding and wintering populations of at-risk bird species
Raptor Fest: Gems in the Grasslands
Annual event featuring educational presentations, live bird demonstrations, guided walks, and a treasure hunt to engage the public in grassland conservation
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 2 activities
- Advocate for policy changes to support grassland conservationSecured legislation requiring New York State to pay taxes on state-owned lands in IBA towns (Fort Edward, Argyle, Kingsbury), advancing local conservation goals through fiscal accountability.
- Fund grassland bird conservation through partnership with Bird CollectiveFunds grassland bird conservation initiatives through a partnership with Bird Collective, which donates at least 15% of sales from co-branded products to support these efforts.
-
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Deliver education programs on grassland birds and conservationProvides educational programming for youth, families, and adults through school programs, summer camps, guided walks, birding workshops, Owl Watches, Winter Raptor Fest, and free at-home activity packets featuring coloring pages and puzzles about at-risk grassland birds.
-
-
Artificial Nesting Habitat Management 1 activity
- Develop and promote best practices for grassland managementCollaborated with wildlife biologists from DEC, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Audubon, and other experts to develop best management practices for grassland habitat management, supporting broader conservation efforts.
-
-
Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Manage grassland habitats to support bird populationsConducts active site management including invasive species control (e.g., Canada thistle), rotational mowing (one-third of fields annually), thatch depth maintenance (3–4 inches), and hedgerow thinning to improve nesting conditions and grassland bird habitat quality.
-
-
Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Operate public grassland bird viewing and education siteOperates the Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area and a 2.6-mile bird trail designated on the New York State Birding Trail, offering public wildlife viewing and closing the trail annually from February to March to reduce disturbance during raptor migration.
-
-
Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Permanently conserve grassland habitat for endangered and threatened grassland birdsProtects and manages critical grassland habitat through permanent land conservation, including ownership and management of 78 acres at the Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area within the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA) in New York. Since 2010, has conserved or helped conserve over 240 to 258 acres of prime grassland bird habitat in this region.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$762K
Contributions & grants$741K97%
Program service revenue$20K3%
Investment income$1K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$206K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$78K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$993K
Cash$817K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$993K
Liquid reserves47.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +173.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 8
- CONNIE HASKO — MEMBER
- EVE WENGER — MEMBER
- JAMIE BROWN — MEMBER
- KATHERINE ROOME — SECRETARY
- KEITH SWENSEN — VICE CHAIR
- TERI PTACEK — VICE CHAIR
- TERRY GRIFFIN — CHAIR
- TODD SCHEUERMANN — TREASURER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Audubon Partner — Collaborated with wildlife biologists to develop best management practices for grassland habitat.
- Audubon Partner — Manages land within the Audubon-designated Fort Edward Grassland Important Bird Area.
- Bird Collective Partner — Collaborates on a co-branded apparel line to support grassland bird conservation.
- Destination: Wildlife Partner — Co-organizes international birding expeditions with Grassland Bird Trust.
- Facebook Partner — Platform used to engage audience and encourage sharing of completed educational materials
- Instagram Partner — Platform used to engage audience and encourage sharing of completed educational materials
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Proud member of the Land Trust Alliance.
- Laurie LaFond Partner — Founder of Grassland Bird Trust
- NY State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Co-manages grassland habitat through the Washington County Grasslands Wildlife Management Area.
- NYSDEC Government — Collaborates with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the Washington County Grassland Bird Conservation Center.
- New York State Government — Secured legislation requiring New York State to pay taxes on state-owned lands within the IBA.
- New York State Birding Trail Network — Grassland Bird Trust's viewing areas are included on the New York State Birding Trail.
- New York State DEC Partner — Partners with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on the Landowner Incentive Program for Grassland Protection and Management.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Collaborated with wildlife biologists to develop best management practices for grassland habitat.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Partner in protecting critical habitat for endangered and at-risk grassland birds across New York State.
- The Peregrine Fund Partner — Collaborates with The Peregrine Fund’s American Kestrel Partnership to support kestrel nestbox projects and data collection.
- The Sandy Hill Foundation Funder — Leading sponsor supporting Grassland Bird Trust events and programs.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partner — Collaborated with wildlife biologists to develop best management practices for grassland habitat.
- USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service Partner — Collaborates with landowners through partnership with USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service for grassland protection and management.
- Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District Partner — Sponsor of the 2026 Raptor Fest event.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Ecologically Informed Habitat Managementmethodology: ecological-stewardshipBy tailoring land management practices—such as rotational mowing, vegetation control, and seasonal timing—to the specific ecological needs of grassland birds, we maintain high-quality nesting habitat because species-specific and phenologically appropriate interventions reduce disturbance and support population recovery.
- Ecosystem Services Framing for Conservation Supportmethodology: ecosystem-services-framingBy emphasizing the co-benefits of grassland conservation—such as carbon sequestration, pollination, and pest control—we build broader support from agricultural and climate stakeholders because positioning grasslands as functional ecosystems increases their perceived value beyond biodiversity alone.
- Landscape-Scale Habitat Conservationmethodology: landscape-scale conservationBy conserving large, contiguous grassland regions through acquisition and stewardship, we protect and recover endangered grassland bird populations because intact, undisturbed habitat is essential for nesting, feeding, and long-term species survival. This approach also benefits other at-risk species and enhances ecosystem resilience.