Raptors are important indicators of ecosystem health and benefit farmers and landowners by helping control insect, snake, and rodent populations. Raptors, grassland species in particular, are showing significant declines across their range due to habitat loss, increased development, changes in farming practices, and increased use of pesticides causing the reduction in prey species. Some of these raptors include the American kestrel, barn owl, and northern harrier, among others. With most of the land in the Southeast under private ownership, landowners are vital partners for the conservation of raptors and their habitats. Property owners can support raptor conservation by enhancing their lands to provide critical nesting opportunities and foraging habitats. The Farmland Raptor Project aims to engage private landowners, bridging the gap between conservation efforts and private landowners to create a collaborative approach for grassland raptor conservation in the Southeast.

This project is in its early stages, and we are currently targeting landowners in specific counties in East Tennessee and Northeastern Alabama, with plans to expand as opportunities arise. Proceeds from t-shirt purchases goes directly to funding the project.