ABOUT THE PIEDMONT KESTRELCONSERVATION CORRIDOR

Mission Alignment (VGBI & PEC): This expansion directly amplifies the grassland habitat missions of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative and the Piedmont Environmental Council, turning private acreage into a high-functioning conservation landscape.​
 

Scientific Research Integration: By adding 80 new data points, we are linking more closely with ongoing regional kestrel research programs, providing high-resolution data on nesting success and population health.
 

Warren County/BRTC Pipeline: Nest boxes will continue to be fabricated by students at the Blue Ridge Technical Center in Front Royal (BRTC), ensuring a vocational-to-conservation pipeline for Warren County youth.
 

Educational Pilot (Woodberry Forest High School): We are proposing to scale up our on-campus presence in Madison County to include hands-on monitoring training and introductory classroom kestrel instruction, creating a model for school-based conservation to share with other learning centers.
 

Expand Community Engagement & Public Education: With our partners we will hold at least two free, family‑friendly adjacent-county events featuring: Hands‑on nest box demonstrations, Live (non‑intrusive) monitoring demonstrations, Ecological education about kestrels and grassland birds, and Opportunities for residents to volunteer or host nest boxes. These events will be designed to foster community connection and shared stewardship.
 

Capacity Through Recruitment: As the number of ORMN network exceeds 190 nest boxes, we will use the Field Days to recruit and train a new tier of "Private Nest Stewards" to ensure long-term monitoring sustainability and encourage further nest box network expansion.