About PRBO Conservation Science



PRBO Conservation Science, [founded as Point Reyes Bird Observatory, 1965], is dedicated to conserving birds, other wildlife and ecosystems through innovative scientific research and outreach.



Background and Accomplishments



Birds are excellent indicators of ecosystem health, thus key to wise stewardship. Working throughout the West, our 120 staff and seasonal biologists study birds and ecosystems to protect and enhance biodiversity.



PRBO was honored with the 2002 national “Conservation Partner Award” from the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.



“The efforts of PRBO have improved conservation, and monitoring of conservation, on USFS, BLM, and other public lands in [California]. PRBO`s strong interest in partnerships and in linking monitoring to adaptive management is an extremely valuable asset to California`s public lands and wildlife resources.”

--Diana Craig, USFS Conservation Scientist



PRBO is an active leader in all the major bird and habitat conservation initiatives in the western hemisphere [North American Waterfowl/Wetland Joint Ventures, Partners in Flight, US Shorebird Conservation Plan and North American Waterbird Conservation Plan]. PRBO’s accomplishments include:



* Spearheaded the collaborative development of 7 habitat conservation plans now in wide use by the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and many others across the West to sustain birds and biodiversity [for riparian, sagebrush, oak woodland, grassland, coastal scrub, coniferous forest and Sierra montane habitats].

* Produced unparalleled data on shorebirds in the Pacific Flyway, identifying priority sites for conservation from Mexico to Alaska and resulting in the designation of San Francisco Bay as a resource of hemispheric importance.

* Provided the scientific basis for establishing the following in California waters:

~three national marine sanctuaries and an International Biosphere Preserve;

~new limits on commercial fishing for squid, a critical food base for marine bird and mammal populations;

~the 1993 law protecting White Sharks, a vital top predator in marine ecosystem dynamics; and,

~the 1985 end to gill net fishing, halting catastrophic mortality of seabirds & marine mammals off the central coast.

* Developed many of the standardized bird science approaches being used across the country and internationally from our long-term, multi-decadal studies of land birds at PRBO`s Palomarin Field Station [Point Reyes National Seashore].

* Co-authored the guide to standardized songbird monitoring published by the USDA Forest Service [in English and Spanish] now being used across North America, Mexico and Central America; and developed a first-of-its-kind guide to statistical analysis of bird monitoring data published by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

* Developed the longest term data set in North America on breeding seabirds and marine mammals at the Farallon Islands- 27 miles west of San Francisco and site of the largest seabird and marine mammal colonies south of Alaska- demonstrating human and natural changes in the ecosystem and helping to conserve this rich ocean environment.

* Spearheaded successful efforts to increase populations of the endangered Western Snowy Plover and San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike while continuing ongoing studies of other threatened species including Black Rail, Least Tern, Spotted Owl, and Steller`s Sea Lion.

* Developed the Bird Species of Special Concern priorities for California`s Department of Fish and Game.

* Published over 1,000 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, reports and publications.

* Trained over 800 students in our renowned conservation biology internship program.



Through our Terrestrial, Wetlands, Marine, Population Ecology, Policy, and Education and Outreach Programs, PRBO:



* conducts research on common and threatened songbirds, shorebirds, seabirds and other waterbirds, as well as marine mammals and white sharks;

* evaluates the health of marine, wetlands and terrestrial habitats and ecosystems;

* publishes findings in peer-reviewed journals;

* provides management and restoration recommendations to government agencies, nonprofits and private interests; and,

* educates thousands of students of all ages annually about bird conservation science and environmental stewardship at our Palomarin Visitor Center, in classrooms and in the field.