Birds inspire us for many reasons, whether it be for the brilliant colors of their feathers, the songs they sing, or their adept flying abilities. They are also incredibly important to our ecosystems, with many species playing an important role in the pollination of plants, seed germination, and rodent control.
Because of the important roles they play in the environment, studying bird population trends is a top priority among conservation biologists. In National Parks, MAPS stations are being established to study birds, analyze their reproductive successes, and aid in their conservation. MAPS stands for "Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship" – and there is a real need to have more MAPS stations in National Parks. Keep reading to learn more about the program and the recent implementation of a MAPS station in Glacier National Park, made possible thanks to your donations to the Glacier Conservancy!