After months of rigorous documentation, audits, planning, and creating a Habitat Management Plan with the help of Alameda County RCD, we were the first cattle ranch in Alameda County to become Audubon Certified Bird Friendly in May of 2024.
Grassland bird species are disappearing at a rate higher than any other bird group in North America, with some populations down as much as a staggering 80%, and most declining by more than 50% in the past 50 years. In fact, grassland ecosystems, and thus grassland bird species, are among the most vulnerable in California, on this continent, and throughout the entire world. Although the initial thought of the Audubon working with farmers and ranchers to conserve these delicate groups sounds odd, it’s important to note that the majority of these birds originate on privately owned land.
For six generations, our family has had a hand in ranching and farming in Livermore. Considering the fact that a good amount of our ranch consists of said grasslands and our innate love of birds (stemming from our mother Tilli), working with Audubon California to further our conservation efforts was a no-brainer.
Audubon Conservation Ranching’s purpose is to preserve the vanishing grassland bird species by collaborating with ranchers all over the country. California alone has 61 million acres of rangelands that produce food and allow for water infiltration, carbon sequestration, and ecological biodiversity. The partnerships between the Audubon Society and their certified ranches and farms utilize various strategic processes to ensure the land upon which cattle live and feed are in the utmost condition for grassland birds to inhabit. This program aids in maintaining dwindling grassland bird populations, increasing clean water supplies, hearty soils, pollinators, and the amount of carbon stored in plants and soils.
Audubon Certification Party
The Audubon certification was granted to us based on program standards, which focus on habitat management, forage and feeding, animal health and wellness, and environmental sustainability.
Knowing we were soon-to-be-certified, we planned a party with the help of Audubon Conservation Ranching. The goal of the party was to inform other local ranchers, farmers, and conservationists of the benefits of working with Audubon and becoming Audubon certified.
We asked some of our favorite local chefs, restauranteurs, bakers, and farmers, many of whom have been huge supporters and purchasers of our grass fed beef, to help us cater this event.
At the party, Chef Francis Hogan from Sabio on Main in Pleasanton attested to the perks of using exclusively grass-fed and grass-finished beef, by touching on the unique complexities and “terroir” of locally sourced beef and what those bring to each specially curated dish he creates. He said that sourcing locally is something that he “holds really, really dear” to everything he does as a chef, and although it requires commitment, using such high quality ingredients makes being an excellent chef a lot easier. Not only does sustainably sourced, grass-fed beef taste great, but it’s more often sought out by ecologically conscious consumers and foodies alike.
To really give our guests a literal taste of how awesome it can be to sell their beef to our incredible local chefs, the majority of the party’s menu consisted of dishes specifically created using our grass-fed grass finished Circle H beef. Every single menu item was unique and unbelievably delicious.
Now, we can sell our beef to local restaurants with the boast that it’s Audubon certified, and they can sell it to their guests with the boast that it’s Audubon certified!
