Did you know that since 1970, North America has lost three billion birds? That means that continent-wide, there are nearly 30% fewer birds now. Habitat destruction, buildings and free-roaming outdoor cats are included among major causes for this decline. The loss of bird life has a significant impact on humans and on Earth’s natural ecosystems.
Birds face more challenges than ever, and they need our help! The good news: There are simple, inexpensive ways you can help increase birds’ chances of survival. Some are actions you can take in your own home, backyard or workplace.
In this free Earth Week webinar, you’ll discover seven simple ways you can help birds survive throughout their annual cycle, from summer breeding season through migration and winter.
- Find out why birds and their habitats are so important to natural ecosystems.
- Get specific tips to include those seven actions in your own efforts to help birds in your own backyard or workplace.
- Learn about work the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is doing on several of those fronts. One project is a special partnership with Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance at our Toms Run Nature Reserve where habitat restoration efforts will support birds. We’ll share how you can get involved!
- Learn how you can volunteer with the Conservancy to help birds and other wildlife thrive!
Join two Conservancy staff, Avian Ecologist David Yeany with the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program and Community Forestry Project Coordinator Alicia Wehrle, for a special Earth Week discussion about birds’ importance to ecosystems and the challenges they face. Learn simple ways you can help birds survive!
About the Presenters
David Yeany II, Avian Ecologist in the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
David Yeany is the avian ecologist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. David joined PNHP in 2011 and has 18 years of professional experience in ornithology and bird conservation. His work focuses on bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including rare and endangered species.
David’s projects include bird monitoring and surveys; applied habitat relationship studies; spatial analysis in GIS; and bird tracking research with new technologies. In addition to representing PNHP in several bird conservation groups and committees, he co-leads the Evening Grosbeak Working Group, formed as part of the Road to Recovery pilot species project.
Alicia Wehrle, Community Forestry Coordinator
Alicia has been with WPC since 2018. A Pittsburgh native, she loves doing greening work in the city where she grew up and currently resides. Alicia coordinates WPC’s Community Forestry tree planting and maintenance events, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This includes recruiting volunteers, coordinating between partners and volunteers, ordering supplies, directing staff, making schedules and running the tree plantings events. She also is the liaison for the TreeVitalize Pittsburgh program and assists in Community Greening projects, tree inventories and education about trees. Alicia is a certified Master Naturalist and is working to become an ISA Certified Arborist.