Birds & Conservation >

More than 800 bird species occur within the United States. Over 300 of these species have been documented within Minnesota. Many of these species nest and raise young in our state while others find rest and food on their travels to other final destinations. Regardless, birds can be a source of scientific knowledge that is critical to both sustaining bird populations and conserving the habitats which they require. Audubon views birds as important in themselves and as a source of measurement of habitat health and quality.

Birds provide us with opportunities to enjoy their beauty and fascinating behavior, while offering us methods to scientifically measure ecosystem health as a means to better conservation. Many factors within the environment affect the lives of birds, and humans, and these factors can be measured, interpreted, and acted upon to provide a more healthful environment.

Citizen scientists can have a great impact on conservation. Birding can produce quality data which can be used to estimate species numbers and distribution as well as population health. Citizen science can be cost-effective in an expensive world. Birds are everywhere and usually easy to observe and identify by sight and sound. As such, birds and birding rightly combine to provide a way to use science as a means to effective conservation. It is no wonder that birds often provide scientists with the best evidence of how our actions affect the world’s ecosystems and what conservation actions we can use to make the world a healthier place.