Check out MAPS
Learn all about our Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Project!
What is MAPS?
The MAPS program monitors bird populations across North America, providing crucial data on survival, breeding, and migration to guide conservation. Since 2018, JHWF has operated MAPS banding stations in Teton County, WY, contributing to a dataset dating back to 1991. In 2024, we continued this work at two sites, following standardized protocols to track songbird populations.
Why does this matter? Birds reflect ecosystem health, revealing habitat changes and climate trends. By monitoring them, we shape conservation strategies at local and regional levels, ensuring a future where wildlife and people thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or simply love nature, MAPS highlights the power of science in protecting wildlife!
Why Study Birds?
Birds are vital indicators of environmental health. Like the “canary in the coal mine,” they reflect ecosystem changes, from habitat shifts to climate fluctuations. With birds present on every continent and in diverse habitats, they are one of the most accessible and effective species for long-term ecological study.
Birds Banded in Summer 2024
MAPS Bird Banding: How It Works
MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) includes two stations use mist nets to safely capture birds in designated study areas. Trained banders take careful measurements, attach a federally-issued band to each bird’s leg, and release them back into the wild.
The Early Bird
Banding takes place at sunrise and lasts for six hours during one day of every 10-day period
Summertime is for the Birds
The season runs from early June through early August in Jackson Hole.
Have a Safe Flight
Bird safety is paramount! Trained and permitted professionals ensure the birds’ safety, monitoring their well-being throughout the banding process.
Experience Bird Conservation in Action!
Join us at a Bird Banding Station this Summer and experience an educational outing that will make you see the world of birds differently! Learn about wildlife in our amazing Jackson Hole setting.
Let's Band Together for Bird Conservation!
Understanding Avian Population Change
Immediate Influences
- Productivity – How successfully birds reproduce.
- Survivorship – How long birds live.
- Recruitment – How many young birds survive to adulthood.
Big Picture Influences
- Weather – Conditions like storms, droughts, or extreme temperatures.
- Habitat Change – How bird habitat is altered through deforestation or drying wetlands.
- Climate Change – Long-term shifts in temperature, seasons, and weather patterns that affect bird populations.
Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation
Tax ID # 83-0302830
Office Location:
25 S. Willow St., Suite 10
Jackson, WY 83001
Mailing Address:
PO Box 8042
Jackson, WY 83002
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