The Forests for People and Birds project is a partnership between scientists, conservation professionals and community members in the Rockbridge County, Virginia area. The five-year project aims to understand the habitat needs of birds during breeding and migration and to apply that information to create habitat that balances the needs of breeding and migrating birds with priorities identified by local land managers, landowners and other community members. The resulting management plan will be fully voluntary with guidance that landowners can choose to adopt in support of the larger goals. Our approach centers on collaboration and shared decision-making between researchers and community members to develop and implement this important joint venture to conserve and promote healthy forests for all.

This project was funded as a partnership between The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory and the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Allen Family Philanthropies (Award # 2430252). The partnership will apply big data and a translational ecology approach to conservation planning for the benefit of birds and people in the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture is a regional partnership of over 55 state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and universities committed to the conservation of habitat for the benefit of birds, wildlife, and people in the core of the Appalachian Region. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is a globally eminent research institution comprising a network of laboratories located across the state of Maryland and with a shared mission to advance scientific knowledge of the environment. Appalachian Laboratory scientists conduct research on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems throughout the world, with an emphasis on the rich and diverse environments of Western Maryland and the broader Appalachian region.

How will this help the community?

Involvement from local residents in the planning process is necessary for a the plan that supports the values and priorities of the community. Local participation in all phases of this project will ensure the plan reflects the views of the people that are surrounded by the forest everyday.

Why Birds? Why Here?

Species in Decline

Birds that breed in eastern forests have lost more than 25% of their populations since 1970. A mismatch between forest structure and birds’ habitat needs have contributed to declines for some species. The habitats birds need during migratory periods have been particularly overlooked and are an important focus of this project.

Key Landscape for Conservation

The forests of Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains offer one of the most intact landscapes remaining in the Eastern US and have been identified as a global priority for landscape conservation. This is a result of past conservation successes and underscores the importance of building a plan to sustain this landscape into the future.