BIRD CONSERVANCY OF THE ROCKIES

Programs: Rocky mountain bird observatory (rmbo) promotes a broad, balanced approach to bird conservation and accomplishes its work through daily cooperation with other nonprofits, schools, private landowners, and state and federal natural resource agencies. Rmbo accomplishes its mission by working in three areas: science: a strong scientific approach distinguishes rmbo from other environmental organizations that focus on policy or political action. The expertise and knowledge of scientists at rmbo provide partners with the information necessary to make intelligent and informed decisions. Rmbo's bird monitoring programs serve as "early warning" systems that can identify negative trends in populations, enabling interested citizens and land managers to rapidly intervene with conservation practices that support the long-term viability of species. To complement rmbo's broad-scale population monitoring programs, focused research projects provide scientific insight into the effects of land management actions, ecological processes, and habitat conditions on the health of bird populations. Such information is vital to understanding the factors underlying population trends and for directing conservation actions. In addition, rmbo research projects provide land managers with feedback regarding the impact of habitat management decisions on the suitability of habitat for birds.

stewardship: the goal of rmbo's stewardship division is to build a coalition of landowners and resource professionals who are actively involved in the conservation of lands important to birds. Perhaps the best example of the stewardship division's efforts is prairie partners, a rmbo program dedicated to conservation through voluntary partnerships efforts including workshops, presentations, landowner visits, bird inventories, and the distribution of educational materials. The program has also expanded its efforts to helping private landowners find funding for and implement on-the-ground habitat enhancement projects to benefit the conservation of at-risk wildlife species. Currently the stewardship programs' geographic scope includes colorado, western nebraska, wyoming, and western south dakota

international: rmbo's international program combines its expertise in science, education and stewardship to advance conservation south of our borders. The forests and grasslands of mexico provide critical wintering habitat for the majority of our us-based priority birds. We are monitoring birds, developing management guidelines, engaging local youth in bird conservation and improving habitat.

education: rmbo inspires conservation action in people by developing relationships through community outreach and science-based, experiential education programs. For example,these relationships come through multiple experiences with the same student who comes on a field trip, attends a family nature night and participates in camp year after year. Annually, over 25,000 citizens engage in our mission via school programs, educator and biologist trainings, landowner visits, summer camps, programs at assisted living facilities, public events and more. We offer unique field trips for over 10,000 students a year that develop a sense of place and foster interest in science careers at the banding stations. We engage people in learning together, whether it be 3 year olds with their parents, our staff with a camper, students with their teachers and classmates, or dementia patients with their caregivers. Together with our partners we are advancing a community of citizens building a future for ourselves around understanding of the world in which we live.