Eco-Friendly Habitat Management

Photo: Mary Smalling

By providing alternatives to traditional methods of habitat management, eco-friendly techniques are becoming more popular among land managers and property owners. Eco-friendly methods lessen the impact to the land by introducing less soil erosion and compaction, using less chemicals and fossil fuels, and resulting in less waste by providing an outlet for non-timber forest products such as gnarled wood, tree bark, and even essential oils. Audubon has employed these “green” techniques while stewarding habitat restoration for the Golden-winged Warbler and other priority bird species.

Goats Help Restore Golden-wing Habitat
Forest Management - Working Lands

Goats Help Restore Golden-wing Habitat

Goats will munch the leaves, woody stems, and high vegetative growth that many grazing animals will not. They don’t like to eat grass. This makes them the perfect partner in Golden-winged Warbler habitat management.

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Lighting Fires for Birds and Land in North Carolina
Working Lands

Lighting Fires for Birds and Land in North Carolina

Fire has been used in a variety of ways throughout human history to benefit people-- we're using it to give life back to forests and birds.

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The Sweet Smell of a Successful Forestry Project
GWWA Conservation - Working Lands

The Sweet Smell of a Successful Forestry Project

Nothing is wasted at this former Christmas-tree farm site, where Golden-winged Warblers are now breeding and an essential-oils company is brewing a Fraser Fir aromatic.

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News & Updates

Speak Up for Birds on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
Forestry In Action

Speak Up for Birds on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

Audubon asks Forest Service to ensure plan protects birds and provides win-win forestry solutions.

Longtime Audubon volunteer revives his own property for the birds
Forestry In Action

Longtime Audubon volunteer revives his own property for the birds

Lifelong appreciation of wildlife motivates Russ Oates’ conservation efforts on his Yancey County property and as an Audubon volunteer.

WNC Forest Plan 101: What It Means for Birds
Forestry In Action

WNC Forest Plan 101: What It Means for Birds

Audubon, partners watching closely for release of Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest plan revision.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Managing Habitat for Birds
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Managing Habitat for Birds

Plan revisions should prioritize ecological restoration practices that benefit birds.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Protecting Land for Birds
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Protecting Land for Birds

Audubon supports more Wilderness protections in the revised plan, but our highest priority is bird habitat.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Balancing Birds and Recreation
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Balancing Birds and Recreation

By identifying places that can handle more recreation, Audubon is ensuring vital bird habitat remains protected.

Empowering Women Landowners for the Birds
Working Lands

Empowering Women Landowners for the Birds

ForestHer NC workshop series reaches out to important but overlooked landowner group.

Audubon, NC DEQ's Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk WNC climate threats
Working Lands

Audubon, DEQ Sec. Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk climate threats in WNC

— More than half of the breeding birds in the state threatened by changes to our climate can be found in western North Carolina.
Learning in the Field
Working Lands

Learning in the Field

Audubon intern Sylvine Hill paddles through a swamp and talks with landowners to learn lessons in conservation

For One Western North Carolina Landowner, Retirement is for the Birds
Working Lands

For One Western North Carolina Landowner, Retirement is for the Birds

Russell Blevins' commitment to habitat management is good news for the Golden-winged Warblers that share his property with him.

How you can help, right now