Audubon Conservation Ranching and Kateri Partner to Advance Regenerative Ranching and Grassland Conservation
Partnership expands incentives for ranchers to enhance bird habitats, boost biodiversity, and increase carbon sequestration
(NEW YORK, December 5, 2024) — Audubon Conservation Ranching, the flagship grassland habitat program of the National Audubon Society, is partnering with Kateri, a leader in carbon project development, to provide ranchers with enhanced financial incentives for adopting regenerative land management practices. This collaboration aims to expand biodiversity, improve bird habitats, and enhance soil health through comprehensive grassland restoration efforts.
Through this partnership, ranchers in the Audubon Conservation Ranching program can now access Kateri’s carbon credit program, which offers increased financial rewards for ranchers managing Audubon Certified bird-friendly lands. These carbon payments reward ranchers for measurable improvements in soil carbon sequestration driven by managed grazing practices.
Chris Wilson, Program Director for Audubon Conservation Ranching, says Kateri brings a broader focus on ecosystems and environmental solutions. "By joining forces with Kateri, we’re creating a powerful incentive for ranchers to adopt practices that not only sequester carbon but also restore essential habitats for grassland birds. This partnership underscores our commitment to integrating economic and ecological benefits, helping ranchers thrive while enhancing biodiversity across working lands."
Ben Veres, Chief Executive Officer of Kateri, says the company's approach to carbon and beyond has been with it since its founding. “While the sequestration of greenhouse gases is a critical outcome of our work, we need to make sure our solutions work for the plants, animals, and microbes that make our grasslands so critical. Kateri is honored to announce our partnership with the National Audubon Society to drive verifiable and quantifiable improvements to grassland biodiversity."
Together, Audubon and Kateri aim to scale the number of ranchers participating in both programs, promoting regenerative grazing practices that benefit wildlife and deliver long-term carbon sequestration outcomes.
About Kateri
Kateri Environmental Corporation is a privately held company focused on helping ranchers improve their soil health and unlock the value of their natural capital through carbon markets. They provide ranchers with capital, local expertise, and the necessary tools to elevate their grazing and land management. Kateri’s projects are validated under internationally recognized standards and backed by strategic partnerships with global organizations like Shell’s Nature-Based Solutions team , emphasizing measurable and lasting ecological impact.
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
A wildlife habitat initiative of the National Audubon Society with a unique market connection, Audubon Conservation Ranching aims to stabilize declining grassland bird populations in partnership with ranchers. Audubon Conservation Ranching’s enrollment includes over 100 ranches and nearly 3 million acres that have earned status as Audubon Certified bird-friendly land. Incentivizing this habitat work for birds and biodiversity are consumers with an appetite for conservation, who support it by purchasing products grazed on these lands. Shoppers see a special package designation – the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal – that sets these products apart. For more information, visit www.audubon.org/ranching.