NC CASC has been a partner in the Central Grassland Bird Working Group, with Imtiaz Rangwala, our lead climate scientist, providing climate science expertise and perspectives on grassland issues across the North Central U.S. region. Over the last three years, scientists, economists, and conservation partners have worked together to develop SPARRO (Spatial Prioritization for Avian Recovery and Rangeland Opportunity) and address a critical gap in consistent, reliable information about grassland bird populations and conservation priorities.

Launched today, SPARRO brings together information on grassland bird populations, habitat, and threats in an interactive mapping tool designed to help conservationists and land managers identify where conservation efforts can have the greatest impact. Users can explore population health for over a dozen grassland bird species of conservation concern, examine threats such as conversion to cropland and woody plant encroachment, as well as compare conservation opportunities across the landscape.

Learn more about SPARRO and the collaborative effort behind its development here.