Significance of avian conservation and how you can impact the world with Bird2Branch

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In this resource guide, we will go in-depth on the significance of avian conservation, why current efforts aren't enough, and what you can do for the cause via getting involved in Bird2Branch and seeking your own opportunities. This guide also cites to many sources and research about avian conservation that you can use to kickstart your own project, and links to dozens of contests and university courses to build expertise about environmental impacts and its overlap with many fields.

🌏 Why does conservation matter?

From scientists to an average person, we all wonder what dinosaurs used to look like. How they used to act, what they used to eat, and many more intriguing questions. This is where birds come into play. Birds are believed to be the closest living relative to the ancient dinosaurs: for example, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. These are just a few ways that birds are important in modern day society. It’s not just about dinosaurs, but birds present an unknown and vast future for humans in the scientific region that we could never even imagine. However, birds are declining at an alarming rate. Out of the 1,106 species of birds registered in the United states, 89 of them are already being driven to extinction.    

Well, what drives these bird species to extinction? A study conducted by Duke University reveals that of the 9,775 known species of birds, an estimated additional 25 would have gone extinct during the past 30 years if it were not for human intervention. Birds have been tormented in many ways by humans, but the only way to stop or at least conserve some species of birds for the future is stopping some primary forms of human intervention towards birds. These methods of intervention include:

1. Agricultural expansion

2. Deforestation

3. Invasive species

4. Hunting and trapping

5. Climate change 

These factors are all controllable by us humans and we need to take action towards saving the birds. 

Birds are a vital part of our society. As much as they help us with scientific research, they keep a balance in nature which keeps the ecosystem intact. We might have all the technology in the world; however, it is impossible to replicate the effects that birds have on us. As we all know that greenery in forests is a vital part of our ecosystems, birds' habit of spore spreading keeps entire forests green and healthy. Not only that, but they help with the mere cleanliness of the planet. Vultures, (a scavenger bird) eat carcasses as they’re primary meals in turn keeping the area sanitary for humans and animals to thrive. Although they have many functions in our ecosystem, birds make up 0.08% of the living organisms in the world or roughly 50 billion of the discovered species of living organisms. Hence, if we lose birds, we lose the closest relatives to the dinosaurs, a potential for unlocking many scientific discoveries, and our ecosystem itself.

Birds are in serious danger, and if we don’t act fast, we could lose many of them forever. Their homes are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Forests are cut down, wetlands dry up, and cities keep spreading, leaving birds with nowhere to nest, eat, or raise their young. Imagine waking up one day and finding your home gone—this is what’s happening to birds every single day. And when their homes disappear, their chances of survival shrink.

Climate change is making things even worse. Birds rely on the seasons to tell them when to migrate, when to lay eggs, and when food will be available. But now, weather patterns are all over the place—hot when it should be cold, storms when there should be calm. Some birds fly thousands of miles to find food, only to arrive and discover it’s already gone. Without food, they starve. Without stable weather, their babies don’t survive. The natural rhythm that has guided them for centuries is breaking apart, and they can’t adapt fast enough.

The world has become a dangerous place for birds, and the air itself is turning against them. Pollution seeps into their water, poisons their food, and weakens their bodies. Pesticides, meant to kill insects, wipe out the very creatures birds rely on to survive. The skies they once ruled are now filled with smog and toxins, making every breath a risk. And at night, artificial lights blind and confuse them, leading them straight into deadly collisions with the path of aircrafts as well as glass and steel.

As if that weren’t enough, some birds are still hunted, captured, traded, or killed for sport and profit. Majestic creatures that once soared freely are stolen from the skies, their numbers dwindling with each passing year. Some are taken for their feathers, others for their songs, and too many simply for the sake of the hunt. The world is becoming quieter, emptier, as more birds vanish, and the worst part? It’s happening right in front of us.

But there is still hope. We have the power to make the world safer for birds again. Protecting their habitats, reducing pollution, and making cities more bird-friendly can help turn things around. Even small actions—like planting trees and flowers that provide food and shelter, dimming lights at night, or supporting conservation efforts—can make a difference. Birds have filled our skies with beauty and song for generations. If we take action now, we can ensure they continue to do so for generations to come.

💔 Why current awareness efforts aren’t enough

There are many efforts to raise awareness on bird conservation and getting the average person involved. These efforts can be raising awareness on bird safe homes during migration, advocating for bird-safe energy sources and directly involving students in conservation.

FLAP Canada is an organization that promotes citizens to cater their homes to be bird safe. They promote bird architecture, educate in schools and advocate for legal protections. FLAP has several recommendations to prevent birds from hitting windows and buildings. These include using non-reflective materials and markings on windows to prevent birds from ramming into them.  

The American Bird Conservatory is an organization that is dedicated to conserving birds. On their framework, the first step is building the bird conservation movement. They do this via listing the ways people can live a bird friendly life, educating citizens on how they can take action and connecting conservation and birding groups. 

National Audubon Society is an organization that strives to work on protecting habitats and advocating for the protection of birds. They promote citizens to get directly involved in conservation, they host a variety of camps, events and encourage citizens to participate in Christmas bird counts.

While these efforts are great, along with other current efforts they are simply not enough. More than half of at-risk bird species in the United States are in decline. This is an alarming number, and somewhat surprising based on what our current conservation efforts are. Without more awareness and conservation efforts, we could lose these wonderful creatures. 

It is essential to conserve birds and the environment in order to have a healthy, functional world. Birds are important for controlling ecosystems through regulating insects, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. Insects that harm crops, including aphids or mosquitoes, are controlled by birds such as swallows and warblers to avoid the use of toxic chemical pesticides. These organic ways of controlling pests aid in healthy food production and reduce the negative impacts of chemicals on the environment and human health. Birds also help with the pollination of plants and the spread of seeds, which is very important during the reproduction of forests and ecosystems that are needed for our survival.  

Birds also contribute to the biodiversity of the planet. Biodiversity is the variety of life in all its forms, and birds are one of those fundamental components of that variety. They are engaged in essential ecological processes such as nutrient recycling and breaking down of waste. For example, vultures and other scavengers consume carrion, which holds a risk for the transmission of disease and cycling of nutrients back into the environment. Bird seed dispersal enables plants to thrive and, in return, sustain other wildlife species. The loss of birds may lead to these functions being upset, leading to ecosystem imbalances and reduced biodiversity, making our environment less resilient to change.

Moreover, the health of bird populations will reflect the health of the environment. Birds are indicator species, in the sense that declines in their numbers can signal broader environmental issues such as loss of habitat, global climate change, or pollution. Monitoring the numbers of birds allows scientists and conservationists to detect these issues early enough, which can enable them to act to reverse environmental threats before they have become more entrenched. Since birds usually occupy a commanding position at the top of a food web, their population crash can create ripple effects, affecting not only other animals but also human society that relies upon these systems to provide for the needs of water, food, and shelter.

Across America, 500 native bird species are threatened with extinction and in the United States alone, 37% of the bird species’ have started to decline. It is extremely important to conserve the environment and birds, because they are a prominent part of what gives us an ideal life. Birds perform significant contributions across several diverse habitats which are pivotal for the planet and in short, for people to thrive. If these avian species suffer mass catastrophe because of poor environmental conservation, the benefits and functions will disappear just as quickly. One common factor that you all must know about birds is how they pollinate the fruits that you eat and enjoy every day but moving on, let’s go into some things you never would have known about these unique fledglings.

Bird droppings, commonly known and said as “guano”, prove to play an essential role in spreading nutrients. Seabirds in this scenario are particularly very crucial as they visit land in order to nest in colonies consisting of hundreds or even thousands. Once these birds bring their bodies ashore and excrete fecal matter, the coastal breeding grounds are essentially filled with nutrients coming in high volumes. Many birds also happen to be vivacious predators of pests and in turn can rescue the pest prone crops, which leaves more food for us. Certain swallows can even consume approximately 60 insects per hour. Promoting bird health and organization in this matter can be seen as an environmentally sustainable way to replace pesticides. 

Additionally, birds can also assist with indication of environmental hazards. These creatures that take flight every so often happen to be very sensitive to habitat change and are therefore an important tool for ecologists to measure the health of environments. Regardless of whether these changes include water, wildfires, tourism, or agricultural production, the success rates can always be determined by instinctive birds. The environmental problems that are faced today by scientists are even more complex than they used to be and we need a new group of dedicated conservationists to combat this issue. Once people discover how wondrous birds can be, this interest will lead to further support of conservation.

There is also a deep history that resonates with birds, both culturally and emotionally. Looking back at folklore from the past, we can see that interacting with birds has a direct correlation towards a high quality life. Artisans have also been able to create imaginative wonders using birds as their muses ranging from paintings to musical progress. The sweetest melodies in this world have been inspired by bird calls and their songs and who are we to get rid of this beautiful harmony. 

💱 The economic value of birds

Birds play a crucial role in the global economy, contributing significantly through various ecosystem services. One of the most notable economic benefits of birds is their role in pest control. For instance, birds such as the Eurasian Jay save thousands of dollars in human labor by planting seeds, which helps in forest regeneration. Additionally, birds like the Peregrine Falcon are used by the U.S. Air Force to drive away birds that pose threats to aircraft, showcasing their value in reducing potential damage and costs associated with bird strikes.

Birdwatching is another significant economic contributor. In the United States alone, birdwatching generates billions of dollars annually. A meta-analysis of birdwatching in the U.S. and Canada revealed that the consumer surplus per person per day ranges from $0.29 to $824.53, with a mean of $56.74. This economic activity supports local economies through tourism, creating jobs and generating revenue for businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.

Birds also provide essential services in agriculture. They act as pollinators, seed dispersers, and pest controllers, which are vital for crop production. For example, birds help control populations of invertebrate and vertebrate pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and saving farmers money. The economic value of these services is immense, as they contribute to the overall health and productivity of agricultural ecosystems.

Moreover, birds have cultural and recreational value, which translates into economic benefits. Birdwatching and hunting are popular activities that generate substantial revenue. In the U.S, billions of dollars are spent annually on bird watching equipment, travel, and related expenses. This spending supports various industries and contributes to the overall economy. Additionally, birds play a prominent role in art, religion, and cultural traditions, further highlighting their significance beyond mere economic value.

In summary, birds have a profound economic impact on society through their roles in pest control, agriculture, and recreational activities. Their contributions to the economy underscore the importance of bird conservation efforts. By protecting bird populations and their habitats, we can ensure the continued provision of these valuable ecosystem services and support the well-being of both human and natural communities.

🤝 How can you help by working with Bird2Branch?

There are many different ways the average person can help with the conservation of birds, including spreading awareness online or in person, and participating as a volunteer or intern in different bird conservation efforts. As an organization, Bird2Branch is designed to help you access resources that not only contribute to the conservation cause, but provide you with new opportunities and personal pursuits in STEM and the arts. 

1. Education & Information: At the core of Bird2Branch’s mission of showcasing the STEAM field to students via the sphere of environmental and bird conservation, we must all be informed of the current state, significance, and solutions. Bird2Branch serves to contextualize how bird populations are in decline and why we need birds and why we must take an active role in conserving them.

2. Organized & Personal Conservation Efforts: The organization presents novel and current solutions to ameliorate the pressing problem, from simple efforts one can do in daily life to innovations and widespread endeavors.

3. Development and Refinement of Skills: A cornerstone goal of Bird2Branch is to allow students to explore STEAM via birds and the wealth of opportunities and resources offered within that realm. In addition to exposure to STEAM, Bird2Branch aims to develop and refine skills in the field that are critical in one’s passions, career, lateral undertakings, hobbies, and beyond.

4. Career Introduction & Prep: There are myriad career paths involving birds. Fields include but are not limited to conservation via nonprofit work (like Bird2Branch!), medical science, and technological innovation. Through Bird2Branch, one can be introduced to a multitude of potential careers and learn how to prepare for and better equip oneself for said goals.

5. Resource & Collaboration Hub: This is also a hub connecting students to other organizations and resources centered on birds, STEAM, and much more. 

6. Community & Perspective: In addition to serving as a bridge to pertinent bodies, Bird2Branch itself is a community of like-minded individuals with a passion for STEM, the environment, birds, and conservation. Students can connect with, work with, learn from, provide guidance to, and receive guidance from peers and experts in the field. With a reach in diverse countries, Bird2Branch also accords a global perspective to the universal problems of environmental conservation. Combining our skills and knowledge as a massive team gives us all a sense of mutual support and allows us to obtain informed, nuanced, and multifaceted understandings and solutions.

7. Advocacy & Awareness: Bird2Branch is a platform to spread information and awareness as a community to influence and inspire multifarious populations internationally. Advocacy allows us to work towards institutional and systemic changes that persist for generations. Being a part of and fostering conversation on the topic helps us define the zeitgeist.

8. Artistic Expression: Art in its various forms serves as the creative vein whereby narratives touch, influence and inspire those from the next generation who we leave the Earth to and the current generation with the capacity to enact change. Showcasing art regarding birds and conservation connects us to each other and our shared humanity.

9. Personal Growth & Reflection: The combined education, community, resources, and more offered by Bird2Branch enables one to reflect and grow as a person overall. One may find themselves pondering what they can do in their daily life to contribute to conservation, their future career paths, their passions, their values, their beliefs, and so forth. The amalgamation of all of our personal developments compound in effect to change society and the world for the better.

10. Fostering Passion for Nature & Conservation: Besides connecting students to STEAM careers and opportunities via birds, Bird2Branch simply creates an environment by which to discover and nurture the passion for nature, life, and conservation. The why behind why we do things matters just as much as–if not more than–the how. Birds are one of the oldest connections to our past and one of the keys to our future. Earth is our home and precious in every sense of the word. Perhaps more connection to, enjoyment of, and appreciation for it as well as all it does for us on a daily basis and in our lifetimes is something we all deservedly owe it sometimes.

🕊 Conclusion

As written above, birds are at the forefront of most environments and essential to them. Furthermore, regardless of how aware we are of it, birds are a large part of our lives. It doesn’t matter if we are birdwatchers ourselves, or if we don’t even notice them from day to day, because the chirps of the many species of birds still are there, providing us with the background music that we listen to when we go on runs, talk to our friends while at the park, and many other activities. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. The monumental impact birds have on their environments is an aspect that many people are unaware of. But knowing that birds are important isn’t the end all be all. We still have to try harder and do better to keep the many species of bird that inhabit the earth from dying out.

🏫 Opportunities to learn more

Listed below are some opportunities to participate in competitions and do more to contribute to our cause, in addition to resources and articles.

• The Earth Prize

• Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

• President's Environmental Youth Award | US EPA

• Conservation Standards Case Study Competition

• NCF Envirothon 

• Photo Contest | National Wildlife Federation

• Ohio Ornithological Society

• Competitive Birding | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

• Nature & Environment - Free courses | OpenLearn - Open University

• Conservation Training

• Bird Academy 

• Volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

• Volunteers | Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 

• Volunteer Positions - Job Board 

• Ornithology | Oxford Academic

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