Bird Conservation Success Stories

Off-leash dogs can harm threatened Piping Plovers. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conducted a human dimensions study to understand dog owner behavior in order to increase dog leash use. Updated messaging as a result of the human dimensions study increased dog leash use.

Purple Martins rely on nest boxes due to loss of natural nesting cavities. Therefore, recruitment and retention of nest box "landlords" is important. Human dimensions research provided insights for attracting and retaining landlords which increased nesting success.

Human dimensions researchers studied landowner willingness to continue managing for young forest habitat after participation in cost-share programs that benefit Golden-winged Warblers and other wildlife species.

In parts of their breeding range, Mountain Plovers nest on farmland, so marking nests can protect them during farming operations. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and partners studied farmers' motivations for marking nests and found that satisfaction was often more important than paying farmers to mark nests.

The San Francisco Bay needs more active conservation for birds and humans. San Francisco Bay Joint Venture and partners investigated the public's willingness to pay a parcel tax to support San Francisco Bay habitat restoration efforts. They used the study results to secure a two-thirds vote in favor of the ballot measure.

The Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture has developed a decision-support tool that integrates human development and demographic data to help prioritize wetland conservation efforts. Using this tool to target habitat projects will maximize potential shared benefits to people and birds in the region.

Biological research suggests migratory shorebirds may be hunted unsustainably in the Caribbean and northern South American. Human dimensions research can help conservationists work with hunters and policymakers to reduce hunting to sustainable levels while maintaining cultural practices and sustaining livelihoods.

Land trusts are extremely important for conserving bird habitat on private lands, yet few bird conservation organizations are partnering with approximately 1700 land trusts in the U.S. To remedy this disconnect, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology worked with the Land Trust Alliance and human dimensions researchers to examine how land trusts were addressing conservation issues and how to better engage land trusts in bird conservation efforts.

Playas are the most numerous wetlands across the Western Great Plains and are important for both wildlife and people. Since this region is 97% privately owned, playa conservation must occur on private lands. In 2006, the Playa Lakes Joint Venture contracted with DJ Case and Associates to conduct a survey of landowners to determine baseline knowledge of playas and interest in enrolling in conservation programs or implementing restoration practices.

The Central Valley Joint Venture incorporated human dimensions information into their implementation plan: 1) to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the conservation strategies described in the plan, and 2) to identify human dimensions research needs for the JV to address in the future.

Early successional forest habitat (ESH) and associated wildlife species in the northeastern United States are declining. NY Department of Environmental Conservation partnered with the Cornell University Human Dimensions Unit to determine how to support landowners interested in ESH management.

In 2005, the first ever national duck hunter survey was conducted with over 10,000 duck hunters. This survey provided insight into duck hunters' satisfaction and harvest preferences, contributed to federal considerations in establishing duck hunting regulations, and established a baseline for additional nationwide human dimensions research.

Visitors inadvertently leaving small amounts of food debris led to an increase in Steller's Jay populations close to campgrounds at Redwoods National and State Parks (RNSP). This increase in the jay population led to heightened jay predation on threatened Marbled Murrelets. To help reduce this predation, RNSP staff worked with social science researchers to conduct a communications study to evaluate current visitor communication messaging and develop improved management strategies.