This webinar will highlight the efforts of the Central Grassland Bird Working Group to recover 17 steeply declining grassland bird species. We will describe a systems-level approach that integrates spatial variation in population dynamics, limiting factors, and the human dimensions essential for successful species recovery and long-term grassland conservation.

We will introduce an iterative, two-step “where, then what” framework. First, spatial prioritization is used to identify where coordinated conservation efforts are most likely to benefit declining species. Second, data on species responses to management are used to determine what actions are most effective for maximizing population recovery. Together, these approaches provide a pathway for targeting conservation investments and adapting management to local conditions.

Finally, the webinar will introduce SPARRO (Spatial Prioritization for Avian Recovery & Rangeland Opportunity), a new decision-support tool designed to facilitate coordinated, targeted, and effective grassland conservation delivery across the Central Grasslands.