Our Partners…
The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology supports and participates in the work of the following organizations that benefit the birds and birdwatchers of the Badger state:
Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, eBird is a revolutionary program for reporting and accessing bird observations worldwide. The eBird database provides birders a tool for tracking their own sightings and lists while harnessing the power of bird watching toward the study of bird abundance and distribution. As the state’s leader in gathering, managing, and archiving state bird records, WSO now utilizes eBird data in the majority of its seasonal data recording activities. As such, WSO is committed to supporting eBird and the maintenance of a Wisconsin eBird portal, a web page that, in addition to basic eBird services, offers unique state-specific stories such as birding reports, identification articles, photo quizzes, and hotspot highlights. Help WSO by donating to the Wisconsin eBird effort today!
Bird City Wisconsin, a growing coalition of citizens, public officials and organizations, led by the Milwaukee Audubon Society, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, WSO and the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative, wants to ensure that folks living in Wisconsin communities maintain healthy populations of birds and appreciate them. In just over a year, it has recognized 39 communities in a program modeled on Tree City USA. Communities, whether they are towns, villages, cities or counties, which come together to help protect birds using a variety of conservation activities, will be designated as a Bird City. The program offers high-profile public recognition to communities that meet at least 7 of 22 criteria for creating/protecting bird habitat, fostering conservation education, taking steps to protect birds from perils, and recognizing International Migratory Bird Day.
Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative
The Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI) is a collaborative effort of over 170 organizations, agencies, bird clubs and businesses. WBCI works to bring partners together to tackle larger conservation issues that can’t be addressed by one single partner. WBCI sponsored efforts include new statewide monitoring programs, the Important Bird Areas program, the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail, Bird City Wisconsin and many more! WSO is a WBCI partner and permanent member of the WBCI steering committee. Learn more about WBCI at www.wisconsinbirds.org and sponsor WBCI-led efforts by donating to the Bird Protection Fund.
Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory
The mission of the Observatory is to advance knowledge of bird and bat populations and their conservation in Wisconsin and throughout the Western Great Lakes region through coordinated research, monitoring, and education using good science. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Noel Cutright, the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory is headquartered at the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve (FBMP) in northeastern Ozaukee County. The Observatory occupies a portion of the former Squires Golf Course Clubhouse at the FBMP near Lake Michigan.
Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin
The Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW) was started in 1986 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help restore the badly depleted population of the Eastern Bluebird. As a result of the group’s efforts, this species has recovered to its highest population in the last 50 years. This recovery represents the most successful recovery of a passerine species in state conservation history. BRAW has about 850 members, and more than 600 of them record and submit data each season. BRAW has led all states for bluebird production from reported, artificial nest boxes for the last six years. All-time records were set in 2012 with 35,692 bluebirds produced, along with 15,588 Tree Swallows, wrens and chickadees. That’s a total of 51,280 songbirds. The www.BRAW.org web site offers a packet with comprehensive information on attracting and raising bluebirds and other cavity-nesting songbirds.
