Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas Discovering and Conserving Biodiversity 2003-2007

Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)

The Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (VBBA) is a five-year (2003-2007) census to document thedistribution of breeding birds across Vermont. Carried out every 25 years, the resulting"snapshot" of the status of all of the species in the state provides priceless information formanagers, landowners, and local and regional conservation projects. The beauty, diversity, and accessibility of birds have made birding one of the fastest growing hobbies, enjoyed by people of all ages. Despite our love for our feathered friends, it has become increasingly important to track bird populations because environmental pressures can compromise their stability. The Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas harnesses the collective efforts of birders and uses it for bird conservation. As a birdwatcher, simply by going out and doing what you love to do, you can help conserve the creatures you love to watch. Over twenty-five years ago, we knew relatively little about many of the birds breeding within our borders. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) was in its infancy, and its founder, Sally Laughlin, recognized that if we were to help conserve our birds, we needed to better understand what species Vermont harbored and where they occurred. Sally gathered up a handful of fellow birders, and embarked on an ambitious journey: to map the distribution of every bird species breeding in Vermont. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont was published in 1985 and has been a pivotal tool to guide conservation and enhance our understanding of Vermont's bird fauna. It was the first such atlas published in North America, and it represents the single largest citizen science project in Vermont's history. Hundreds of volunteers carried out a systematic survey of breeding birds between 1977 and 1981 to create this landmark reference document. The ultimate goal of the North American Ornithological Atlas Committee (NORAC), which coordinates Atlases around the continent, was to repeat the Atlas every 25 years to update our knowledge of bird distribution and to evaluate any changes. The time has come for a new Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas. In the last 25 years, we have seen changes in our landscape and in our climate that can affect the status and location of breeding birds. As we forge ahead with conservation in this new century, we need to consistently update the information we use to provide effective conservation strategies that are adaptive, incorporating crucial new information about where birds are breeding. Vermont's second-generation atlas promises to involve an even larger cadre of committed amateur birders than its inaugural effort 25 years ago. Cooperating with VINS in the effort are: Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife Nongame and Natural Heritage Program, Audubon Vermont, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas Discovering and Conserving Biodiversity 2003-2007

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