Landowners in Dubois, Pike, Warrick, Perry, and surrounding counties are being encouraged to participate in a new conservation effort designed to expand nesting opportunities for barn owls across southwest Indiana.
The Indiana Audubon, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, has launched the Indiana Barn Owl Initiative to work directly with property owners whose land may provide suitable habitat for the species.
Barn owls, a nocturnal bird of prey known for their silent flight and distinctive heart-shaped face, are listed as endangered in Indiana. Their populations have declined in recent decades due to the loss of traditional nesting sites, such as older barns, and a decrease in grassland habitat needed to support their primary food source—small mammals like voles and mice.
Recent survey work by the DNR documented barn owl nests in 16 Indiana counties in 2022, showing some progress. However, officials say breeding populations remain limited and heavily dependent on the availability of safe nesting structures.
The initiative focuses on working lands that already offer favorable conditions, including grasslands, hayfields, and pasture. Properties with at least 100 acres of open habitat are ideal, especially when paired with a barn or similar outbuilding that provides height, interior space, and limited daily disturbance.
Selected landowners will receive a pre-built barn owl nest box at no cost, with installation coordinated by project partners as early as this fall. Participants will be expected to help maintain the site and allow periodic monitoring to document nesting activity and success, which will help guide future conservation strategies across the state.
Organizers say the program not only supports wildlife conservation but can also benefit landowners, as barn owls naturally help control rodent populations.
An informational virtual session will be held Wednesday, April 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern. The session will cover site requirements, how properties are selected, and what participation involves. Registration is free but required to receive the Zoom link.
To register for the session, visit: https://indianabarnowlinitiative.eventbrite.com
Additional information about the program is available at: https://indianaaudubon.org/Indiana-barn-owl-initiative
For questions, landowners can contact Indiana Audubon Bird Programs and Partnerships Manager Sam Urquidez at surquidez@indianaaudubon.org.
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