Two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. Audubon members and others asked how they could help protect birds from the impact of a warming planet, and in 2016 Audubon responded by launching the innovative community-science program, Climate Watch.
Each year Climate Watch volunteers collect data on target species, which Audubon scientists use both to document how these birds are responding to climate change, and to improve their climate impact models. The next Climate Watch survey will take place May 15 – June 15, 2024. Target species for this survey will include: the Spotted Towhee, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, and American Goldfinch, all common in our area.
For more information on the Climate Watch program and to see the survey results for 2016 through 2020 check out the National Audubon website, https://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch
If you are interested in being a Climate Watch volunteer contact the Climate Watch coordinator for Black Hills Audubon, Austin Gray, at austinirisgray1897@nullgmail.com
Help build a better world for birds. Join Climate Watch to test and improve our climate models.
Tom Reynolds
