The Brookings Birding Club has a meeting set for April 8 at 7 p.m. the Larson Nature Center at Dakota Nature Park.
The speaker will be Christy Wails, who is an assistant professor of avian ecology and management at South Dakota State University. The title of her talk is “From oceanic archipelagos to prairie potholes: What islands can teach us about bird conservation.”
What do remote oceanic islands have in common with South Dakota’s prairies? Across the globe, birds rely on isolated habitats that are increasingly vulnerable to environmental change. Whether surrounded by water or a sea of agriculture, these “island” systems highlight the resiliency of birds and provide critical opportunities to maximize conservation impacts.
Wails will share how her island research has shaped conservation globally.
“Through three case studies, we’ll explore the impacts of novel threats to birds, the value of long-term monitoring programs, and the use of emerging tools to track habitat change,” she said. “I’ll share how the lessons I’ve learned from islands apply locally to prairies and wetlands, and what these lessons mean for managing birds at home.”
Brookings Birding Club meetings are open to all interested people.
Leave a Reply