Restoring Burrowing Owl Habitat in the Permian Basin

A program aimed at re-establishing Burrowing Owl habitats in the Permian Basin recently led to the successful restoration of more than 300 acres of native grasslands, facilitating conservation of the native species. The land in Upton County, Texas, is owned by Quail Ranch LLC, a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips. Quail Ranch LLC focuses on maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitats while balancing oil and gas development.

“As a surface landowner in the Permian Basin, ConocoPhillips has the ability to efficiently conduct broad restoration efforts in this area,” said Ecology and Sustainable Development Director Jesse Wood. His team of biologists and property managers lead the effort to manage ConocoPhillips-owned surface located across the Permian Basin including almost 100,000 acres in Texas and almost 60,000 acres in New Mexico. The western burrowing owl is currently protected across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and is designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Bird of Conservation Concern. ConocoPhillips partnered with Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies on this effort, which was recognized by Texan by Nature’s project certification program.

The restoration project began with the removal of 202 acres of mesquite, an invasive species of grassland habitats, in summer 2019. Twenty pairs of artificial burrows were installed in September 2019 with assistance from the Midland chapter of Stewards of the Wild, sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. For the next phase, which was initiated in 2020, ConocoPhillips provided funds to re-seed using a native seed blend and to install an additional 21 pairs of burrows.

Camera surveillance conducted in May 2021 showed signs of use in eight pairs of burrows. Monitoring will continue through the spring of 2022. A total of 374 acres were restored for the burrowing owl project and 583 acres of additional adjacent rangelands were restored or are planned for restoration. ConocoPhillips biologists and personnel are working together along with third-party developers to minimize impacts from future development.

Upon project completion, about 950 acres of contiguous grassland habitat will have been restored. Future goals include expansion of grassland and playa lake restoration efforts to restore habitat connectivity for grassland obligate species including pronghorn, black-tailed prairie dogs and burrowing owls.