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Birding To Help Revitalize Conservation Efforts

Apr 1, 2025
Amanda Rodewald, a leading ornithology professor at Cornell, Bradley Wilkinson from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and wildlife ecology expert Drew Lanham dive into the alarming decline of bird populations. They discuss how over one third of species require urgent conservation. Amidst these challenges, a surge in birding interest offers hope, as volunteers gather data to support conservation efforts. Personal stories of birdwatching reveal an emotional connection to nature, highlighting the vital role birds play in indicating environmental health.
30:19

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Significant declines in bird populations across various U.S. habitats, especially among grassland and arid land birds, highlight urgent conservation needs.
  • Citizen science initiatives, like eBird and breeding bird surveys, empower volunteers to contribute valuable data for effective bird conservation strategies.

Deep dives

Bird Population Declines

Significant declines in bird populations across all habitats in the U.S. have been documented, with grassland birds experiencing the most severe losses, at about 43% since 1970. Arid land birds are not far behind, having lost 41% of their populations. Eastern forest birds have also seen considerable declines, indicating a widespread issue affecting various species. The report emphasizes the urgency of addressing these declines through proactive conservation measures.

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