http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/15/science/paying-farmers-to-welcome-birds.html?ref=science&_r=0

In California, a area that was once wetlands is now 95% farm land and the result was a dramatic decrease in migratory birds. Conservationists have found an innovative way to preserve these birds. By using a smartphone app to record bird locations, scientist have determined the key areas to be preserved for the birds. Now instead of buying the habitat from the farmers, conservation organizations just pay to irrigate certain areas for a few weeks at a time.