Farmlands Habitat Programs
Habitat on working farms, when and where birds need it most
Working agricultural lands now play a vital role in supporting migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. The BirdReturns Farmlands Habitat Programs partner with farmers in California’s Central Valley to create temporary wetland habitat when and where birds need it most.
Through targeted seasonal programs, BirdReturns helps maintain a landscape that supports wildlife while keeping farms productive.
Two seasonal programs
There are currently two BirdReturns Farmlands Programs. Jump to either one below to see its requirements.
Programs at a glance
Program details may change annually.
Why the BirdReturns Farmlands Programs matter?
Filling Critical Habitat Gaps
California’s wetlands and working lands provide essential habitat for migratory birds, yet the loss of historic wetlands has increased reliance on managed wetlands and shallow-flooded agricultural fields. Through the Late Summer Farmlands and Sandhill Crane Programs, BirdReturns partners with farmers to provide critical habitat across seasons, supporting migrating shorebirds during spring and late summer and wintering Sandhill Cranes during the colder months. Together, these efforts help fill seasonal habitat gaps and support healthy bird populations across the Pacific Flyway.
Connecting Habitat Across Working Lands
Working lands play a vital role in supporting migratory birds across California’s Central Valley. Through partnerships with farmers, BirdReturns expands the availability of seasonal habitat on agricultural lands, creating a network of flooded fields that shorebirds can rely on during migration and providing critical roosting and foraging habitat for wintering sandhill cranes. Together, participating farms help deliver habitat at the scale needed to support birds throughout the Pacific Flyway, demonstrating how agriculture and wildlife can thrive side by side while strengthening the resilience of California’s working landscapes.
Managed in partnership with
The BirdReturns Farmlands Habitat Programs are managed by the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership — The Nature Conservancy, Audubon California, and Point Blue Conservation Science — with funding and support from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and in close coordination with the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation.
