The population of Evening Grosbeaks has decreased drastically in North America by 92% since 1970 and the number of survey blocks they were discovered in Wisconsin reduced by 86% during the period of 2015-2019. The upcoming Bringing Birds Back conference in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on March 24-25 will feature Michael Parr, the president of American Bird Conservancy as the keynote speaker. These birds were once a popular sight at bird feeders.
Parr was one of the co-authors of the 2022 State of the Birds report, which assessed the state of bird populations in the United States. He also contributed to a groundbreaking 2019 study that revealed the loss of 3 billion birds in North America since 1970. During his talk, Parr will discuss the findings of these studies and share information about global initiatives aimed at bird conservation.
Jennifer Lazewski, the executive director of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event and the impressive lineup of speakers who will address both national and local bird-related issues. Given that birds have distinct needs and inhabit diverse environments, it is essential to consider the broader context when observing and studying them, whether in our own neighborhoods or during road trips.
Get ready to learn about the latest discoveries on the alarming situation of birds and the various efforts made by Wisconsin’s tribal nations, municipalities, conservation organizations, and individuals to save them. This two-day conference aims to shed light on this critical issue and highlight the steps being taken both locally and internationally. It’s no secret that over the last half-century, grassland birds in North America have suffered the most significant population declines. The Western Meadowlark is just one example of this trend, with its presence being discovered in 66% fewer survey sites in Wisconsin during the 2015-19 Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II than it was twenty years prior.
On March 24, various local and regional conservation projects in Wisconsin will be showcased. These initiatives include the Important Bird Areas Programme, Southern Driftless Grasslands Project, Milwaukee County’s Natural Areas, Bird City Wisconsin, and Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory. The event will also feature a presentation on tracking birds’ reactions to environmental restoration at Oneida Nation properties on March 25. The presentation will be conducted by Erin Giese of Northeastern Wisconsin Audubon Society, Tony Kuchma, project manager for the Oneida wetlands, Language and Cultural Educator Tehahukótha (Randy) Cornelius, and other partners involved in the monitoring project. Workshops on landscaping with native plants to provide shelter and food for birds and pollinators, as well as ways to prevent bird fatalities from reflected windows, will also be offered.
The Culver Family Welcome Centre at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, located at 625 Pearl Avenue, is set to hold a conference that you wouldn’t want to miss. Registration is open until March 6th and the two-day program is priced at $50, which also covers lunch. The list of speakers can be viewed on their website. As slots are limited, we highly suggest grabbing your seat as soon as possible.
Karen Etter Hale, who leads the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership, together with the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and Bird City Wisconsin, emphasizes the urgent need to assist birds in distress. She stresses that birds are facing challenges worldwide and require immediate support. The hope is that this conference will inspire all of us, regardless of where we reside, to take action and contribute to the welfare of birds. We can make a difference by collaborating as individuals, communities, or organizations to restore bird populations.