Bird Protection Fund

The Bird Protection Fund is a vital resource for Wisconsin's birds and the people working to protect them. We encourage you to support your favorite birding group AND the Foundation's Bird Protection Fund. Only by working together can we protect Wisconsin's birds for our families and the future.

Karen Etter-Hale, Madison Audubon Jim Hook, International Crane Foundation Noel Cutright, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Andy Paulios, WI Bird Conservation Initiative

200 species, or a quarter of all bird species in the United States, have declined in population since the 1970s, according to a report issued by the National Audubon Society. Wisconsin is home to 3 federally endangered birds, the Piping Plover, Whooping Crane (shown here), and Kirtland's Warbler. 13 other bird species are listed as endangered at the state level and 13 more are considered threatened at the state level.

Birding supports Wisconsin’s economy. A 2006 independent economic report commissioned by the DNR found that the total economic effect from watchable wildlife recreation in Wisconsin was estimated at $1.2 billion. This included more than 16,000 full or part-time jobs.

Recent reports from national organizations have described the plight of birds as grim, but not hopeless …. IF we act quickly and effectively to reverse their demise.   Wisconsin’s Bird Protection Fund supports projects that do just this, by advancing bird conservation at the statewide level.  With 30% of our 284 bird species identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, the time to act is now. 

The Bird Protection Fund secures support for bird conservation projects and programs that are identified as priorities by the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI), and the Department of Natural Resources.  It takes a full life-cycle approach, focusing on the needs of “our” birds during the breeding, migratory, and wintering seasons. 

In 2008, the Fund provided $66,500 to seven projects and in 2009, the Fund provided $169,800 to eight projects.  Goals for 2010 include the following projects:  Click here for the list.

You can be part of the solution by making a special donation to the Natural Resources Foundation Bird Protection Fund today.

Click here to donate online.

Each year, our Bird Protection Fund supports collaborative projects throughout Wisconsin that are prioritized by leading bird conservationists in our state. Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or someone who just enjoys birds in your backyard, you can make a difference.

Your gift today will help support these and other Wisconsin bird protection priorities:

Bird Conservation Action Plans for Southern Forests and Jack Pine Barrens
These projects expand on the Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program, which identifies and protects sites that are critically important for birds on a global scale.  Using IBAs as core areas, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative will develop and implement Bird Conservation Action Plans for southern forests and pine barrens in Wisconsin.  The Fund will support planning, management activities, symposia, and workshops that help advance conservation efforts for Cerulean warblers, Kirtland’s warblers, whip-poor-wills, red-headed woodpeckers, and other high priority species dependent on these habitat types.

Citizen-based Monitoring:  Marshbirds, Nightbirds and other Under-surveyed Bird Groups
Effective conservation actions are guided by sound science, so where little is known about wildlife species and their population trends, little meaningful action can be taken.  WBCI has worked to identify gaps in our knowledge base for Wisconsin’s birds and is working to implement citizen-based monitoring programs to fill these gaps.  WBCI’s focus in 2009-2010 will be on marshbirds, nightjars (whippoorwills, nighthawks, etc.), and owls.  The Fund will support coordination of the hundreds of volunteers that make this science possible.  See the WBCI bird monitoring website for more details: http://wiatri.net/projects/birdroutes/index.htm

Kirtland’s Warbler Monitoring and Management
Federally endangered Kirtland’s Warblers were first discovered in the central sands region of Wisconsin in 2007.  A total of eight adult males and three adult females were found at one site, including three nesting pairs.  Efforts quickly got underway to monitor and manage this new-found population.   In 2008, volunteers surveyed various Pine Barrens areas across northern Wisconsin and discovered a few more individuals.  Similar efforts will take place in 2009, surveying and monitoring Kirtland’s warblers and other birds that breed in pine barrens, savannas, and other shrub habitats statewide.  Nests will be closely monitored.  

Protecting Bird Migration Stopover Habitat in the Western Great Lakes
As part of a Great Lakes Basin regional effort initiated by The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin is identifying, mapping, and protecting important bird migration stopover sites in the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior basins.  The project coordinator will work with land trusts, private landowners, urban Lights Out programs, and others to protect and restore stopover habitat  where most needed, and to reduce collisions with communications towers and windows.  The project’s initial focus is on coastal sites, where migratory birds concentrate and development pressure on stopover habitat is most intense.  

Neotropical Migrant Wintering Areas – Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica
Over half of Wisconsin’s bird species of greatest conservation need winter in Central and South America. The quality of habitat there directly impacts their survival and reproductive success here in Wisconsin.  WBCI’s International Committee is working with US and foreign partners to ensure that these important wintering habitats are conserved for orioles, warblers, hummingbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and other migrants.  In 2009, WBCI is partnering with American Bird Conservancy to protect a key parcel on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, where 59 species found in Wisconsin are present each winter.  The Osa Peninsula is globally important – it supports 3% of the world’s plant and animal species.

Whooping Crane Reintroduction Program
Several key studies are occurring this year that will help define the path this program takes in the coming decade.  The Fund will support a comprehensive review of the program to date, studies on the effects of black flies and food availability on nesting whooping cranes, the Direct Autumn Release method of introducing whooping crane chicks to the wild, the monitoring of wild whooping cranes, and educational programs at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.  

Bird City Wisconsin
Modeled after the Tree City USA program, Bird City Wisconsin will serve as a delivery mechanism for implementing a variety of bird conservation efforts in cities and towns.  Municipalities that meet certain criteria will be “certified” recognized as a Bird City through signage and other means.  In 2009-10, a coordinator will be hired and 3-5 towns will be chosen as pilot cities to launch the program.  Through education and on-the-ground activities, Bird City will engage communities in improving habitat for urban birds, reducing hazards for migrating birds, and enhancing opportunities for connecting with nature.  

Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative Web Outreach
The main tool used by the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative’s 160-partner coalition for communicating about bird conservation, educational resources, events, etc. is www.wisconsinbirds.org.   WBCI will update its website to improve their ability to communicate with the bird conservation community and the public.  The re-vamped website will feature project updates, success stories, news about birds, bird conservation planning, bird education opportunities, and other important information.

Raptor Monitoring and Management
The Fund will help support the ongoing monitoring and management of ospreys, eagles, peregrine falcons, red shouldered hawks, and other raptor species.  Data collected during surveys is use for many purposes.  Wisconsin has one of the longest-running eagle and osprey surveys in the nation.

Please help us meet the challenge of these priority projects identified by some of Wisconsin’s leading bird experts.

The Bird Protection Fund is a partnership between the Natural Resources Foundation and the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative, a coalition of many of Wisconsin’s leading conservation organizations.   We created the fund to address urgent threats to Wisconsin’s birds – threats that require both a collaborative response and the funds to enact solutions.  You can make a difference, take action today so our children and grandchildren can enjoy birds always.  Click here to donate on our secure server.