Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed network of family farms across the Great Plains and Midwest have earned the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land designation under Audubon’s Conservation Ranching program.
The Audubon conservation Ranching program is a leading certification initiative that supports bird-friendly land management on working ranches. Through this program, ranchers commit to regenerative practices that benefit wildlife, soil health, and ecosystems.
To become Bird-Friendly Certified, each ranch undergoes rigorous third-party audits focused on three core pillars:
Certified ranches earn the right to display the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land seal on product packaging, assuring customers their purchase directly supports conservation efforts.
With this milestone, the Audubon Conservation Ranching program now includes over 3 million acres nationwide—and Thousand Hills is proud to be first in Minnesota certified and part of that legacy.
Through Audubon Conservation Ranching, ranchers are audited to meet strict standards in habitat management, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. Certified lands then carry an official Bird-Friendly seal visible on product packaging. This milestone expands the program to over 3 million acres nationwide.
America’s grassland birds are disappearing faster than any other group of birds. According to the 2025 State Birds report, populations of grassland species have plummeted by 43% since 1970—the steepest decline of any habitat group.
The primary causes?
That’s where Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed—and our network of farmers come in. We use rotational grazing which mimics natural herd movement and allows native grasses to rest and grow. This allows diverse vegetation, ideal nesting and foraging habitat for vulnerable species like Bobolink, Dickcissel, and Eastern Meadowlark.
By working with nature, not against it, we’re restoring bird habitat while raising nutrient-dense beef.
Thousand Hills is a network of family farms, and each farm operates under a custom habitat management plan designed with Audubon ecologists. These practices include:
- Rotational grazing, mimicking prairie dynamics.
- Multiple pasture zones rested 40-60 days.
- Diverse vegetation structure supporting species like Bobolinks, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Easter Meadowlarks.
- Commitment to no antibiotics, no hormones, no feedlots, fully grass-fed and finished Lifetime Grazed standards.
Now, when you choose Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed beef, you’re not just choosing 100% grass-fed, grass-finished meat – you're choosing a product that helps restore wildlife habitat.
All of our products now proudly carry the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land seal – a verified mark of regenerative ranching and habitat stewardship. This means our beef is raised on land specifically managed to support grassland birds, pollinators, and soil health.
