Harnessing the Power of Citizen Science for Bird Conservation by Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
The Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas is the state’s most comprehensive review of wild birds. First published in 1985, a second volume was released in 2008 thanks to more than 25,000 volunteer hours from contributors who walked more than one-sixth of Vermont’s land to visit all the habitats Vermont offers. The new Atlas confirmed bald eagles nesting in Vermont after a 60-year absence and shows increases in peregrine falcon, common loon, and osprey.
Since development pressures, acid rain, mercury deposition, habitat change, and other problems increased significantly since 1985, the 2008 Atlas helped identify the many birds whose populations are declining. This information helps birders, biologists, the sporting community, and conservationists take action to benefit Vermont’s entire array of birds.
