Here's what they are trying to save (from the DEC site):
Habitat loss and degradation have resulted in sharp declines in grassland bird populations in New York since 1966, according to the 2nd New York State Breeding Bird Atlas (BBS) survey data. Affected species (with percent annual change) include Henslow's Sparrow (-14.7 %), Grasshopper Sparrow (-9.0 %), Vesper Sparrow (-8.5 %), Upland Sandpiper (-6.3 %), Horned Lark (-5.1 %), Eastern Meadowlark (- 5.0 %), Savannah Sparrow (-2.4 %), Northern Harrier (-2.5 %), and Bobolink (-0.3 %). The net result has been an astounding 80-99 % decline in abundance of each species in just four decades. These species, specially Henslow's Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow, Short-eared Owl and Eastern Meadowlark are area-dependent species, meaning that they need large unbroken expanses of grasslands to thrive and reproduce. How much grassland habitat do these species need? The answer to this question is unclear and appears to depend on several other factors such as location, shape, surrounding habitats, and vegetative composition. However, as a general rule, grasslands need to be at least ten acres in size to offer appropriate habitat for at-risk grassland birds in New York.
Habitat loss and degradation have resulted in sharp declines in grassland bird populations in New York since 1966, according to the 2nd New York State Breeding Bird Atlas (BBS) survey data. Affected species (with percent annual change) include Henslow's Sparrow (-14.7 %), Grasshopper Sparrow (-9.0 %), Vesper Sparrow (-8.5 %), Upland Sandpiper (-6.3 %), Horned Lark (-5.1 %), Eastern Meadowlark (- 5.0 %), Savannah Sparrow (-2.4 %), Northern Harrier (-2.5 %), and Bobolink (-0.3 %). The net result has been an astounding 80-99 % decline in abundance of each species in just four decades. These species, specially Henslow's Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow, Short-eared Owl and Eastern Meadowlark are area-dependent species, meaning that they need large unbroken expanses of grasslands to thrive and reproduce. How much grassland habitat do these species need? The answer to this question is unclear and appears to depend on several other factors such as location, shape, surrounding habitats, and vegetative composition. However, as a general rule, grasslands need to be at least ten acres in size to offer appropriate habitat for at-risk grassland birds in New York.
