Western Pennsylvania continues to expand into a rich ecosystem for birds and pollinators, and a $98,700 grant received by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania means a major victory for these animals, said Sarah Koenig, the group’s conservation director.

The funds come as part of the Wolf administration’s pledged $11.8 million investment to improve water quality, cultivate trees and overall boost the strength of ecosystems in the face of issues such as climate change, according to Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“We’re thrilled for DCNR’s support,” Koenig said. “This allows us to build on some really great work that we’ve been doing for a long time … and also things that we’ve wanted to do for quite some time.”

“For example, some of the funding will go to lawn-to-meadow conversion projects at our two nature centers in Butler County, so that’ll be at the Buffalo Creek Nature Park,” she said. “But those conversions will be converting turf to native meadow habitat, and along with some educational signage … those will serve as demonstration projects for the public.”

Educational signage helps to increase public outreach and understanding of conservation efforts through visual aids and other on-site literature, Koenig explained.

The boon in support contributes significantly toward a broader effort to protect birds and the habitats they depend on to thrive, Koenig said. In time, it might be possible for conservationists such as the local Audubon Society to transform the region’s landscape, she said.

“I always say, ‘One yard of gardening makes a difference, or tending a riparian buffer, or all the things we can all do in our backyard,’” she said. “One yard makes a big difference, but then when you start getting many backyards, and then maybe even a whole municipality, then we’re really beginning to change the landscape of southwestern Pennsylvania,” she said.

“Riparian” means “on the river’s edge”; riparian buffers are vegetated areas near streams that help reduce hazards such as flooding.

Projects planned by the Audubon Society include planting events in such buffers, such as after major flooding events. They also will include surveys of sites where bird species live, which will involve measures to protect birds from hazards, and educational workshops promote awareness of the Audubon Society’s work.

“Major challenges for our local birds and pollinators are generally habitat loss, climate change,” she said.

Feral cats are a big threat, she added. They’re one of the major causes of death for birds across North America.

If everyone converted their lawns to meadows, it would make a massive difference for water quality and habitat availability, she said.

“Lawns are like ecosystem deserts,” she added. “There are very few services. There’s no food, shelter, water, to offer for birds or pollinators.”