Associate – Research

Audubon Conservation Ranching comes to Iowa. By Tucker Lutter, Iowa Conservation Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi When the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through western Iowa in 1804, Captain William Clark described what Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development now call the Loess Hills as "bald-pated" (sic), noting their wide-open, treeless prairies. Driving through the hills today, it can be hard to imagine such a scene. Tree encroachment, row crop production, and urban development have dramatically changed the landscape. As grasslands disappear, so do the birds that depend on them. Historically, Iowa was covered by millions of acres of prairie - today, just 1 in every 1,000 acres remains. According to the 2025 State of the Birds report, habitat loss has contributed to a 43% decline in grassland bird populations across North America - the steepest decline of any bird group. Every remaining acre of prairie in Iowa plays a critical role in supporting species like Northern Bobwhite, Upland Sandpiper, Eastern and Western Meadowlark, and Bobolink. This year, Audubon Conservation Ranching launched in Iowa with a goal: to reverse grassland bird declines by partnering with cattle and bison producers across the state. Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development is eager to find farmers and ranchers to join its mission. As long as there has been grass on the landscape, there have been animals eating the grass. In the past, bison and elk roamed the landscape in vast herds and birds were reliant on their grazing to find suitable habitat to nest. Some birds, like the familiar (if ever-incessant) Killdeer, need heavily grazed areas to nest, whereas Henslow's Sparrows need thick vegetation to thrive. All along the spectrum, birds found their niche to survive, provided by the grazing patterns of large mammals. Today, cattle have largely taken over this role. Grazing, if done with conservation in mind, can help grassland birds to thrive. If producers enroll in the conservation ranching program, Audubon staff will provide them with technical assistance in identifying grazing techniques to improve habitat for birds and can also provide financial assistance for tree and brush removal, fencing (for rotational grazing), prairie restoration, and even prescribed fire. Another perk of the program is that producers who enroll have the option to use the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land certification seal on their meat product packaging and in promotion of their brand, telling consumers their purchases are supporting birds and biodiversity. Becoming certified opens doors to new marketing and storytelling opportunities and benefits birds and ranchers alike. While this program is new to Iowa, it has a proven track record of success. Since its launch in Missouri in 2017, over 150 ranches across the Great Plains, Upper Midwest, and the West are certified through the program, spanning an incredible 4.5 million acres of bird-friendly management. And yes, it's working for birds! Audubon's Science Team developed a Bird-Friendliness Index to measure the abundance, diversity, and resilience of grassland and aridland bird communities on Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Lands. The results are striking: bird-friendly ranches have shown an 8.4% annual increase in the Bird-Friendliness Index and a 76% overall increase from 2016 to 2023. While western Iowa has changed a lot since the early 1800s and the hills are not as "bald" as Captain William Clark described them, the sound of birds remains a constant thread connecting Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development to the past. With proper stewardship of its natural resources, future generations will continue to enjoy the distinctive trill of Field Sparrows and the scratchy rambling calls of Bell's Vireos well into the future. If you would like to learn more about Audubon Conservation Ranching and to explore certification opportunities in Iowa, please contact me at [email protected]. I'd welcome the opportunity to visit your operation, answer questions, and explore whether Audubon Conservation Ranching could be a fit for your farm or ranch. Dickcissel, one of the priority bird species for Audubon's Conservation Ranching program. Photo provided by Tucker Lutter. Tucker J. Lutter, Iowa Conservation Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi River

Behind PepsiCo's global approach to water sustainability. Water underpins every part of PepsiCo's business. With a global reach, the company is compelled to conserve water, both because of its social responsibilities and its own operational needs. Last year, PepsiCo's net water positive programme replenished the equivalent of 9,600 Olympic pools of water in areas of significant scarcity. This global achievement was steered by a comprehensive strategy focusing on restoring stressed watersheds, driving greater efficiency in production and agriculture, and supporting access to safe water via the PepsiCo Foundation. PepsiCo's water conservation projects. Since 2016, PepsiCo has deployed restoration and conservation interventions such as tree planting and wetland rehabilitation. In the Ozama River Basin in the Dominican Republic, more than 160,000 trees were planted in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, replenishing 110 million litres and reducing erosion and flood risk. In Indonesia, work near Mount Pangrango and Gunung Halimun Salak Parks restored 21.6 million litres and secured resources for more than 30 million people. As Roberta Barbieri, PepsiCo's Vice President for Water and Climate, observes: "Water is essential and access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right. "When PepsiCo talks about being 'Net Water Positive', we're saying we envision our presence strengthening local water systems, especially in high risk water areas, not straining them." A new direction in Florida. Expansion in Florida has seen almost 700 acres of sugarcane converted to drip irrigation, working alongside N-Drip and Netafim. The company is also restoring natural water flows and boosting wetland storage by carefully targeting invasive species with herbicide, keeping native plants and soil intact. PepsiCo is collaborating with groups such as Audubon, alongside technical partners, to enhance water quality and preserve Everglades watersheds. Beyond PepsiCo's supply chain. In high-risk regions, PepsiCo has broadened efforts to involve farming communities, not just its ingredient suppliers. "No matter how efficient the farmers who supply PepsiCo may be, if the rest of the farmers in the watershed aren't doing the same, it doesn't have the most optimal impact because everybody is drawing from the same resource," says Roberta. For instance, in India's Hathras District, the firm partnered with 10 villages and 1,600 farmers outside its supply chain to set water security plans and introduce water-saving farming methods. This restored over 81 million litres and will be expanded further. Comparable projects are underway in Mexico, addressing resource pressures from climate change and population increases. "With our reach and resources, we can help inspire and accelerate solutions beyond our own footprint and really make a meaningful impact," Roberta explains. Addressing the water problem. Global climate disruption, population demands and pollution continue to challenge freshwater supplies. Water is vital to the business - not only as an ingredient in PepsiCo's products but also in the cultivation of crops such as potatoes for Lay's crisps. Their facilities rely on dependable access to water from diverse, global locations. With its reach and resources, Food Digital can help inspire and accelerate solutions beyond its own footprint and really make a meaningful impact. Roberta Barbieri, VP of Water & Climate at PepsiCo PepsiCo's ongoing innovation includes drip irrigation to minimise wastage and new manufacturing techniques which cut process wastewater. Such carefully orchestrated changes reflect a wider movement in corporate water stewardship, with water risks now recognised as a genuine threat to supply chains and business continuity. "I'm excited to build on this momentum, bring in more partners and do even more to protect the water that sustains us all," says Roberta.

Audubon is teaming up with SELC to stop the potentially destructive project from starting in one of the South's most iconic places.