What Grassland Bird Trust does

Grassland Bird Trust (GBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 2010 by Laurie LaFond in Schuylerville, New York, and granted IRS nonprofit status in 2011. The organization is the only entity exclusively focused on conserving critical grassland habitat for endangered, threatened, and rapidly declining grassland birds within the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA). GBT owns and directly manages 78 acres at the Alfred Z. Solomon (AZS) Grassland Bird Viewing Area in Fort Edward, and has conserved or helped conserve more than 250 acres in aggregate. The trust's geographic focus supports 10 of New York's 11 most imperiled grassland bird species and is described as critical to the survival of the state-endangered Short-eared Owl within a designated 2,000-acre core protection zone.

GBT's core products and services center on permanent habitat protection, public access infrastructure (a 2.6-mile birding trail at the AZS viewing area), environmental education (downloadable activity packets, school and youth programs), and community engagement through annual events such as Raptor Fest and Winter Raptor Tours. The organization also offers international birding expeditions through a partnership with Destination: Wildlife to destinations including Spain, Colombia, Namibia, Botswana, Costa Rica, and Newfoundland. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on a standard website for donations and event registration, email newsletters, and social media presence on Instagram and Facebook. A co-branded merchandise line with Bird Collective donates at least 15% of sales to GBT.

GBT's business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations and recurring giving, a $25 annual membership, planned giving and IRA qualified charitable distributions, event ticket revenue (e.g., $20 adult / $10 child for Raptor Fest; $1,165-$1,592 for Winter Raptor Tours), merchandise royalties via Bird Collective, and occasional third-party fundraiser proceeds (e.g., Brooklyn Bird Club's $11,300 birdathon in 2021). Customer segments span individual conservation donors, youth and families, volunteers, and birding enthusiasts. The organization operates with 1-10 employees (one dedicated staff member, Stewardship & Outreach Director Bonnie Nightingale), a nine-member board, and a broader volunteer network, and is a member of the Land Trust Alliance.

Name

Grassland Bird Trust

Legal name

Grassland Bird Trust, Inc.

Website

https://www.grasslandbirdtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Grassland Bird Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that conserves over 250 acres of grassland habitat in New York's Washington County Grasslands IBA, serving endangered grassland birds, conservation donors, volunteers, youth, and birding enthusiasts through habitat protection, education, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Habitat Conservation

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Habitat conservation
• Land trust
• Bird conservation
• Wildlife education
• Grassland stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Schuylerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute to support grassland bird conservation efforts. The organization receives donations through its website, mail-in forms, and recurring giving programs. Active donors receive quarterly newsletters.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales to events like Raptor Fest ($20 adults, $10 children), and international birding expeditions ($1,165-$1,592 for Winter Raptor Tours). Events include a tax-deductible donation component.
3. Merchandise Sales through Partnership: Bird Collective has partnered with GBT to provide apparel and products featuring grassland birds. Bird Collective donates at least 15% of sales to support GBT's conservation work.
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: GBT accepts planned gifts through wills, estate plans, IRA beneficiary designations, life insurance, bank/brokerage accounts, HSAs, securities, real estate, and other marketable assets. Allows donors 70½ or older to give up to $100,000 directly from their IRA.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grassland Bird Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that acquires, owns, and manages grassland habitat for the conservation of grassland-dependent bird species. It complements land stewardship with public-access viewing areas, seasonal raptor festivals and tours, international birding expeditions, and educational outreach targeting birders, families, and schools. Revenue is generated through individual donations, planned giving, memberships, grants, sponsorships, and program-related merchandise.

Product overview

Grassland Bird Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust offering grassland habitat conservation services, public wildlife viewing facilities, educational programs, and fundraising opportunities. Its core offerings include land conservation (over 240 acres protected), the Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Viewing Area with a 2.6-mile birding trail, annual events such as Raptor Fest, international birding expeditions as fundraising tours, and educational materials for families. The organization also partners with Bird Collective for co-branded apparel and provides various donation and planned giving programs to support its mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grassland Habitat Conservation Program Ongoing land acquisition, ownership, and stewardship program through which the Trust protects and manages grassland habitat for grassland-dependent bird species, including direct management of conserved acreage.
• Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Viewing Area Public-access conserved grassland property maintained for wildlife viewing, providing visitors with direct access to grassland bird habitat.
• Raptor Fest
• Winter Raptor Tours Guided seasonal birding tours focused on wintering raptors in the Trust's conserved grassland habitat.
• International Birding Expeditions Group birding travel experiences organized by the Trust beyond its local geography, targeting birders seeking destination birding opportunities.
• Bird Collective Apparel and Merchandise Co-branded apparel and merchandise offered through the Trust's partnership with Bird Collective, with proceeds supporting conservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 240 acres of critical habitat conserved in Washington County Grasslands IBA
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Boralex Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026GBT and Boralex Inc. have entered into an agreement to advance grassland bird conservation and renewable energy development in Washington County. This collaboration addresses the balance between renewable energy development and grassland bird habitat protection in the Fort Edward area.
• Land Trust AlliancecoreOthersGBT is a proud member of the Land Trust Alliance, a national organization supporting land trusts across the United States.
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBT works with NYS DEC and other major partners to protect critical habitat for endangered and at-risk grassland birds across New York State. GBT secured legislation requiring NY State to pay taxes on lands it owns in the IBA towns.
• Bird CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBird Collective partnered with GBT to provide a line of apparel and products featuring grassland birds. Founded in 2019, Bird Collective uses eco-friendly suppliers and materials. They donate at least 15% of sales to support GBT and other conservation organizations.
• Destination: WildlifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGBT partners with Destination: Wildlife to offer international birding expeditions that serve as fundraising events. Trips include Southern Spain, Colombia, Namibia, Botswana, Costa Rica, and Newfoundland. Committed to principles of conservation tourism.
• Washington County Grasslands Wildlife Management Area PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBT collaborates with NYS DEC on the Washington County Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The nearly 500-acre WMA is managed for grassland birds and is adjacent to GBT's properties.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Audubon Society: Largest US bird conservation organization operating across flyways and habitats. Comparable in mission (bird conservation) and use of sanctuaries, education, and membership fundraising, but operates at national scale across many species and policy domains rather than a single grassland IBA.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation land trust that acquires and manages habitat. Directly comparable to GBT's land trust model and conservation easement work, but operates at massive scale across all habitat types rather than specializing in grassland birds.
• Ducks Unlimited: Habitat conservation nonprofit that acquires and manages land for waterfowl. Comparable land trust model and habitat acquisition approach, but focused on wetlands and waterfowl rather than grassland birds.
• Trust for Public Land: National land conservation nonprofit that protects land for public use. Directly comparable in land acquisition and conservation easement work, though broader in scope and not bird-specific.

Direct peers

• American Bird Conservancy: National nonprofit focused exclusively on bird habitat conservation across the Americas. Most directly comparable peer in mission, including work on at-risk species, reserves, and policy advocacy for declining bird populations.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Major ornithology research and citizen science institution also based in New York. Comparable in bird conservation focus and educational programming (eBird, Bird Academy), though more research-oriented than pure land trust.
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Conservation and education nonprofit focused on raptors in Pennsylvania. Most directly comparable peer in mission (raptor conservation), education programming, membership model, and events-driven fundraising.
• Point Blue Conservation Science: California-based nonprofit focused on bird and ecosystem conservation science. Comparable in combining applied conservation research, habitat management, and education for bird populations.

Others

• Land Trust Alliance: National membership association of land trusts of which GBT is itself a member. Comparable as an ecosystem player that supports land trusts, rather than a direct conservation operator.

Regional players

• Mass Audubon: State-level Audubon affiliate operating wildlife sanctuaries and conservation programs. Comparable in combining land ownership, education, events, and member-based fundraising, but a regional player focused on Massachusetts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/grasslandbirdtrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/grasslandbirdtrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grassland-bird-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grassland Bird Trust