Assessing the effects of active habitat management, both in managed areas and in the broader landscape, is essential to understand the extent of impacts on migratory birds and effectively track progress toward conservation planning objectives. Avian monitoring is challenging due to limited professional capacity (e.g., too few regional biologists) and short windows of time to detect bird species across large areas. One solution to this is using citizen science for monitoring, a collaborative approach where members of the public actively participate in scientific projects with engagement and support from trained scientists. An additional benefit is that participation in a conservation research program through training, events, and on-site interactions builds trust and satisfaction and increases the likelihood of continued participation in or support for land stewardship behaviors. 

Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Science Integration Coordinator Ashley Peele is leading a new initiative to develop a scalable framework for regional coordinated effects monitoring that utilizes multiple methodologies and facilitates broad partner engagement. Monitoring of avian species response to management activities implemented through this proposal will be included in this broader regional monitoring effort that will continue beyond the lifespan of this project.

Ashley Peele will work with the local birding community to recruit and train volunteers to actively participate in bird monitoring where forest management has been implemented. Keep watching this page for more information and how to participate in years 4 & 5 of the project. Although this project is only funded through 2030, our hope is that it will continue beyond that. We envision the results of our monitoring efforts being integrated into future editions of the regional plan to ensure it accurately reflects the needs of wildlife and bird communities.