Our feathered friends are back! One of our favorite things about spring is all the birdsong we hear when spending time outside. Such happy sounds bring joy to our souls.
Did you know that 84 species of Missouri's 170 breeding bird species flock together and leave the state during non-breeding seasons? Of those, 58 species leave the United States, spending the winter months in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
About 20 years ago, our Missouri wildlife biologists realized that if we want to continue seeing the migratory birds we love each year in Missouri, we need to do more than preserve habitat for them here within our own state. In particular, they discovered that quality habitat on the wintering grounds of Mexico, Central America, and South America was at risk, as well as habitat along the migratory corridor.
In 2007, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) got involved, raising funds and financing projects in Mexico and Central America. To date, we have:
The individual in Missouri responsible for spearheading much of the migratory bird habitat work in Central America was Missouri's late State Ornithologist, Brad Jacobs. He not only recognized the urgent need to take action but helped develop a program that makes full lifecycle migratory bird conservation more accessible to state agencies. Today, because of Brad's efforts, we have a consortium of state agencies called Southern Wings that works together for bird conservation efforts in the Neotropics. Brad Jacobs recently passed away, leaving an important and lasting legacy. Read more about Brad Jacobs.
"Brad took his passion and love for birds steps further by thinking long-term about what everyone could do to protect migratory birds while they were beyond our state borders. Brad's vision and education efforts brought together many partners to make a big difference for bird conservation across the hemisphere," shares current State Ornithologist and friend, Sarah Kendrick.
While we celebrate all that MCHF has helped accomplish for migratory birds, there is still much to be done! There is still habitat that needs to be protected and restored for use by our Missouri birds. Your gift today helps ensure that your favorite birds will make their annual migrations for many years to come. Better yet, click the "Start Fundraising" button and challenge your friends to match your gift!
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