The DNR is looking for volunteers to help conduct surveys about the breeding habits of birds in Wisconsin. Volunteers will be in charge of looking for and documenting the breeding behaviors of birds. Coordinator of the Breeding Bird Atlas, Nicholas Anich says the data collected by volunteers helps determine how habitats around the state are doing.
“We'll use it for all sorts of planning purposes. Birds are a pretty good indicator of the general environment and they’re easily sampled so part of what we’ll be using this for is kind of gaging how different habitats in the state are doing based on what we’re seeing with certain bird species.”
Anich says the DNR encourages people who have a large knowledge of birds to volunteer and survey larger areas. Even those with a limited knowledge can help out too by taking note of any nesting birds near their house and documenting it on the DNR’s website.
He says this is the second Breeding Bird Atlas created by the DNR, the first was completed from 1995 to 2000.
Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the DNR’s website.
