Read on for highlights and results from this year’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon.<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FBC-Madison-Chapter-at-Cherokee-North_Birdathon2024_Photo-Caitlyn-Schuchhardt-3.png” alt=”Participants of the 2024 Great Wisconsin Birdathon looking through binoculars while birding” title_text=”FBC Madison Chapter At Cherokee North Birdathon2024 Photo Caitlyn Schuchhardt (3)” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_margin=”||23px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Team ‘Yes We Pelican!’, representing the Feminist Bird Club Madison Chapter, participating in the 2024 Great Wisconsin Birdathon at Cherokee Marsh. Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt.<\/em><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_margin=”-11px|||||” custom_padding=”||21px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Wisconsin\u2019s incredible birding community has done it again! This year\u2019s Great Wisconsin Birdathon saw more than 600 birders<\/strong> come together to raise $117,846<\/strong> to protect Wisconsin\u2019s birds. These donations support the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin\u2019s Bird Protection Fund<\/a>, which supports Wisconsin\u2019s highest-priority bird conservation projects.<\/p>\n Our birders, team captains, donors, and sponsors are the reason the Birdathon soars each year. We are grateful to our amazing \u201cflock\u201d for supporting our mission to bring birds back.<\/p>\n The 2024 Birdathon Report showcases some of the fun stories and successes of the 13th annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon. Enjoy these highlights from our amazing season together. Mark your calendars for the Birdathon to return next spring from April 15th through June 15th!<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/issuu.com\/wisconservation\/docs\/2024_birdathon_report” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”View the full 2024 birdathon report on Issuu” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-11px|||||” custom_padding=”||21px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”2024 Birdathon participant” portrait_url=”data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUwMCA1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+CiAgICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGZpbGw9IiNFQkVCRUIiIGQ9Ik0wIDBoNTAwdjUwMEgweiIvPgogICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGZpbGwtb3BhY2l0eT0iLjEiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAiIHg9IjY4IiB5PSIzMDUiIHdpZHRoPSIzNjQiIGhlaWdodD0iNTY4IiByeD0iMTgyIi8+CiAgICAgICAgPGNpcmNsZSBmaWxsLW9wYWNpdHk9Ii4xIiBmaWxsPSIjMDAwIiBjeD0iMjQ5IiBjeT0iMTcyIiByPSIxMDAiLz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Birding to help birds is an excellent way to help spread awareness and showcase conservation efforts across the state!<\/p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Bobolink_Andy-Raupp.png” alt=”The 2024 Great Wisconsin Birdathon bird of the year, a bobolink perched on a thin tree branch” title_text=”Bobolink Andy Raupp” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_margin=”28px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_padding=”||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] The bobolink was chosen as our 2024 Bird of the Year to raise awareness about this Species of Special Concern and the grassland bird community. Photo by Andy Raupp.<\/em><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”] The Great Wisconsin Birdathon supports NRF\u2019s Bird Protection Fund, which protects Wisconsin\u2019s threatened and endangered birds by creating and protecting habitat, supporting research and monitoring projects, and making bird education and outreach initiatives possible. The Bird Protection Fund Committee, made up of a group of Wisconsin bird conservation experts, helps determine where the funds will have the most positive impact on our birds. We are proud to share this year\u2019s funding recipients:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Advancing Bird Conservation within Wisconsin\u2019s Important Bird Area System” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Wisconsin\u2019s Important Bird Area (IBA) system brings partners and stakeholders together to coordinate and plan management, stewardship, and monitoring activities that will benefit vulnerable bird species, ensuring access to essential habitat. Funds will provide financial and technical support for IBA partnerships that address widespread bird population declines, with a special focus on grassland birds. Partner: Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Audubon Conservation Ranching” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] Audubon Great Lakes is in the second year of working to improve grazing and grassland habitat management practices across at least 12,590 acres in Wisconsin, prioritizing farms within Important Bird Areas, Wisconsin Grassland Bird Conservation Areas, and priority areas identified in the Wisconsin State Wildlife Action Plan. These working lands will deliver significant benefits to grassland birds, wildlife, water, soil, and people, and specifically address rapid population declines of species such as upland sandpiper, Henslow\u2019s sparrow, eastern and western meadowlark, and bobolink. Partner: Audubon Great Lakes<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Bird Conservation for All” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] The BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin hosts monthly birding events in Madison and Milwaukee and special events around the state that bring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and allies together to enjoy and experience the birds and natural wonders of Wisconsin. This year\u2019s grant will support the club\u2019s efforts to make meaningful connections with schools and organizations in the Madison area and provide birding experiences for students. This will occur via grants to provide transportation to green spaces through the club\u2019s pilot program, \u201cOperation Green Space.\u201d Partner: BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Building an Inclusive Bird Conservation Partnership for Milwaukee” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] This project will develop a partnership to achieve Urban Bird Treaty City designation, enabling Milwaukee partners to access more funding and pursue landscape-level initiatives needed to reverse bird declines. A special focus will be on diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure historically underrepresented groups in bird conservation and birding are a part of the process from the beginning. Partner: Lake Michigan Bird Observatory<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Endangered Bird Conservation” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] Wisconsin is home to two endangered birds, the piping plover (federally listed) and the Kirtland\u2019s warbler (state listed). The Cat Island Chain near Green Bay is home to one of only three Wisconsin piping plover populations. Last year for the first time, four chicks were captive-reared and then released at Cat Island. Additionally, the overall Great Lakes piping plover population had the most nesting pairs (80) since they were listed as endangered in 1986. Funding will support the Cat Island Chain team and contribute to a multi-partner collaborative endangered species recovery project.<\/p>\n The Kirtland\u2019s warbler has nested in Wisconsin for over 15 years. Funding will support continued population recovery and conservation of the species in Wisconsin, including through monitoring efforts. The state is crucial for the birds’ population expansion beyond its core breeding range in Michigan because it provides the 5- to 20-year-old jack pine stands necessary for breeding. Partner: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources \u2013 Natural Heritage Conservation<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Lincoln Creek Habitat Research and Restoration” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] Nearby Nature Milwaukee is focusing on habitat restoration, community engagement, and raising awareness of wildlife habitat in urban green spaces and is committed to restoration and revitalization of green spaces along Lincoln Creek. They hope to use habitat research to inform their restoration efforts, to improve the habitat for birds and other animals, as well as use this knowledge in their education and community engagement efforts. Partner: Nearby Nature<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Long-term Bird Monitoring at Restoration Sites on the Oneida Nation Reservation” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] This collaborative volunteer bird monitoring program co-led by Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Bird Alliance has an impressive track record of surveying birds at restoration sites on the Oneida Nation Reservation. This year\u2019s funding will support community outreach events and data collection and analysis at existing bird monitoring locations. It will also help provide land management guidance for the Oneida Nation, expand understanding of what constitutes bird conservation though a formalized Oneida cultural exchange, and build bridges between the Oneida and non-Tribal communities. Partner: Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Bird Alliance <\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Open Spaces, Bird-Friendly Places” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] This project will remove 45 acres of dense, woody thickets from two remnant prairies in the Southwest Savanna region, Borah Creek and Eldred Prairies in Grant County. This work will improve habitat for the following grassland birds of Greatest Conservation Need: dickcissel, bobolink, and eastern and western meadowlark. Partner: The Prairie Enthusiasts<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Save Our Songbirds: Bird Protection in Southern Wisconsin through Community Outreach” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”] SOS Save Our Songbirds<\/a> and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance are working to raise awareness about songbird decline in Wisconsin and spur action at home. By providing basic Wisconsin-tailored information, hands-on events, discounts and supplies, they\u2019re helping people make small changes at home to give birds the habitat they need year-round and reduce threats. Partner: Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Whooping Crane Reintroduction” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Announcing the 2024 Bird Protection Fund recipients<\/strong><\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]