Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 2012 Annual Report Mission Conserving Birds and Their Habitats

25 Years of Bird and Habitat Conservation

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 2012 Annual Report Mission conserving birds and their habitats

Brighton Headquarters Nebraska Office 14500 Lark Bunting Lane 330243 C.R. H P.O. Box 1232 Minatare, NE 69356 Brighton, CO 80601 (308) 783-1019 | Fax (308) 783-1021 (303) 659-4348 | Fax (303) 654-0791 Andrew Pierson, Shortgrass Prairie Coordinating The staff and board gather for a photo in August of 2012 Rachel Bock, Staff Accountant Wildlife Biologist at the amphitheater at RMBO’s Environmental Learning Center Tyler Edmondson, Community Education Coordinator Larry Snyder, Nebraska Project Assistant at the Old Stone House at Barr Lake near Brighton, Colorado. Nancy Gobris, Biologist/Banding Coordinator Magdalena Vinson, Nebraska Education Coordinator Meredith McBurney, Biologist/Bird Bander Kacie Miller, Education & Outreach Director Field Offices Emily Snode, School Programs Coordinator Noah Bates, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Kremmling, Colorado Judith Spiegel, Chief Financial Officer* *employment began in 2013 Jason Beason, Special Monitoring Projects Coordinator, Paonia, Colorado Kelly Corman, Private Lands Range/Wildlife Ecologist, Fort Collins Office Lamar, Colorado 230 Cherry Street Nancy Drilling, South Dakota Projects Manager, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Rapid City, South Dakota (970) 482-1707 | Fax (970) 472-9031 Brandon Elkins, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Tammy VerCauteren, Executive Director Gillette, Wyoming Jenny Berven, Northern Goshawk Project Coordinator Colin Lee, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Jeff Birek, Outreach Biologist Greeley, Colorado Jennifer Blakesley, Biometrician Alberto Macías-Duarte, Research Ecologist, Hermosillo, Mexico Francyne DeBauge, Project Coordinator Noe Marymor, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Angela Dwyer, Wildlife Biologist Greeley, Colorado Seth Gallagher, Stewardship Director Brandon Miller, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Michael Griffith, IT Support Specialist Steamboat Springs, Colorado David Hanni, Science Director Martin Moses, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Durango, Colorado Greg Levandoski, Chihuahuan Desert Project Manager Former Staff Members Board of Directors Ross Lock, Wildlife Biologist Duane Pool, Landscape Ecologist, Bismarck, North Dakota Employed at RMBO in 2012 Stephen L. Bloom, Ph.D., ABPP Matthew McLaren, Biologist Roberto Rodríguez, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Cassy Bohnet, Colorado Education Coordinator Steven Deitemeyer, C.F. Arvind Panjabi, International Director Chihuahua City, Mexico Victoria Collier, Communications Grady Grissom, Ph.D. Teddy Parker-Renga, Communications Christina Santana, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, & Membership Coordinator & Membership Coordinator Charles Hundertmark, M.A., A.P.R., A.T.M. Gunnison, Colorado Reesa Conrey, Wildlife Biologist David Pavlacky, Spatial Ecologist Larry Modesitt, M.B.A., CQE, CTP (Chair) Nathan Schmitz, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Jora Fogg, Biologist Laura Quattrini, Stewardship Program Manager Colorado Springs, Colorado Shawn Nowlan, J.D., LL.M. (term ended May 4, 2012) Gina Manzo, Accounting Assistant Rob Sparks, Research Biologist/GIS Manager Joe Roller, M.D. Joseph Parsons, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist Erin Strasser, Biologist D. Jean Tate, Ph.D. Jim Pauley, Chief Financial Officer Bill Tiedje, Landowner Outreach & Program Technician Warren Taylor, Ph.D. (Secretary) Alex Ushakov, IT Specialist Nick Van Lanen, Biologist Ed Warner, M.S. (term began Feb. 20, 2013) Chris White, Biologist Tiffany Watts, CPA Erin Youngberg, Biologist

2012 RMBO Annual Report published April 2013 | Writer and editor: Teddy Parker-Renga | Design: One Tribe Creative

1 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory healthy, native bird populations sustained in healthy, native ecosystems Vision

Leave a Legacy for Birds A Quarter-Century of Conservation Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s expansion to As Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory celebrates its silver anniversary, it’s a time to look back and ponder: 13 states in the U.S. and seven in Mexico over the past What is the legacy we’ve created? 25 years has produced a national reputation in the conservation community. Leadership staff now serve In 25 years, more than 500 bird species have become better understood through monitoring, bird banding, nesting ecology on key U.S. and international steering committees and habitat relationship research. Nearly 250,000 youth and families have explored, studied and grown to love nature. and boards. As RMBO’s reach has grown over the past More than 300,000 acres of private lands are being managed for healthy bird populations, and tens of thousands of quarter-century, so has the need for the organization additional acres of crop fields are being tilled with Mountain Plover conservation in mind. Through your time, talents, to increase discretionary resources. By broadening financial resources or partnership, you have contributed to this legacy. its funding base, with your help, RMBO can continue to advance conservation locally, regionally and What does the next quarter-century look like? It includes integrating knowledge of winter and breeding bird populations internationally and tackle projects not covered by to identify bottlenecks for conservation. This will ensure the right actions are taken at the right annual life stage of birds grants and contracts. – on their wintering and breeding grounds, as well as migration routes. It includes ensuring that today’s youth, our future conservationists and voters, develop a sense of place, knowledge and passion for our natural world, and the skills to be To mark its 25th anniversary, RMBO embarked on a active participants in shaping their community and world. Quarter Century Campaign with a goal of $250,000. It also created a legacy society for people who, noting The next quarter-century includes a network of protected and working lands that promotes economic sustainability, clean its sustained progress over the last 25 years, want air and water, and healthy wildlife habitat. It also includes consensus among birders, wildlife watchers, hunters, anglers RMBO to continue – and expand – these valuable and other recreationists who enjoy these lands about the need to support conservation through better policies, dedicated efforts. I made the leap and put RMBO in my will, and funding and action on the ground. I hope you do, too. By contributing to the campaign or joining the legacy Before RMBO embarks on the next 25 years, take a moment to read about our society, you can make a lasting successes in 2012. On the following pages, you’ll find a timeline of RMBO’s difference for bird and habitat milestones and learn about the impacts we’ve made to the birds, people and conservation that will extend far landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains and Mexico. beyond your lifetime.

Whether you have been a part of RMBO’s history or are just getting to know us, you can help make the next 25 years of bird and habitat conservation successes possible. Together, we can expand RMBO’s efforts to advance science, engage people and conserve western landscapes. Thank you for your continued support. Larry Modesitt Chairman of the Board

Tammy VerCauteren Executive Director

2012 Annual Report | 2 Impacts and Milestones

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s mission has always been to conserve birds. What we do for birds matters to all of us. These birds represent just a few of the many species RMBO has impacted over the last 25 years.

Bald Eagle Lark Bunting Piping Plover and Least Tern The once-endangered Bald Eagle has recovered Colorado’s state bird, the Lark Bunting is one of the In the late 1980s, the presence of nesting Piping Plovers along the Front Range of Colorado, thanks in part species addressed in the first-ever conservation plan (pictured) and Least Terns in Colorado was reconfirmed. to citizen scientists participating1988 in the Bald Eagle for grassland birds that 1990 winter in the Chihuahuan Desert. This finding has 1995 led to conservation efforts to protect these 2000 2005 2010 2012 Watch program. Released in 2012, the plan is available at RMBO.org. threatened and endangered species.

We share these impacts and milestones with the many partners, funders, volunteers and supporters that made them possible.

1988 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012

HawkWatch site established International team formalized Monitoring Colorado’s Birds Volunteer Naturalist program on Dinosaur Ridge west to conserve migratory and resident launched as first statewide bird started to involve citizens of Morrison, Colorado. birds in Mexico. Chihuahuan Desert monitoring program in Colorado. in environmental education. Grassland Bird Conservation program Bird banding at founded the following year. Barr Lake started. On The Wing summer camp CBO moved into its permanent headquarters, founded to teach field the Old Stone House, a refurbished 1880s ornithology to teens. home located near the shores of Barr Lake. First visit made to western Mexico Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation to study wintering birds and Prairie Partners started Regions program launched, becoming one establish partnerships. to engage landowners of the largest coordinated breeding bird Students welcomed to new Project ColonyWatch initiated to monitor Environmental Learning Colorado Bird Observatory (CBO) in shortgrass prairie monitoring programs in the U.S. bird conservation. colonial waterbirds in Colorado. Center at the Old Stone House. founded by Michael Carter through The center was dedicated the a challenge grant from the Colorado previous year by Colorado Governor Division of Wildlife. Bald Eagle Watch John Hickenlooper. at Barr Lake began. Initial conservation priorities set for neotropical migratory birds in Private Lands Wildlife Biologist program 11 western states. Partners In Flight (PIF) Name changed to Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory established with four biologists in Species Assessment Database created. to reflect expanding reach. communities across Colorado.

3 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory For the Benefit of Birds … And People At Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, we make people a part of the solution for conservation and believe a healthy home for birds is a healthy home for all of us. For 25 years, we have provided educational activities in ornithology, natural history and other areas related Mountain Plover Black Swift to birds and nature. Over the last decade, more than a thousand Mountain Plover The winter destination for this mysterious species was nests have been located, marked and saved from accidental revealed in 2012. Researchers tracked the Black Swift to In 2012, our educators and biologists connected with 1988 1990 1995 tilling 2000 by farmers through a pioneering nest conservation 2005Brazil, opening the door to full life-cycle conservation 2010 of this 29,640 people through school programs, 2012 summer program. Marked nests have shown higher hatching success species at risk to the effects of climate change. camps, workshops, landowner visits and more. for this priority species.

1988 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012

2012 Annual Report | 4 Knowledge That Drives Science Conservation Action

Gathering the Data Sharing the Information Checking the Pulse of Bird Populations Communicating Across Databases Twenty-five years ago, biologists with RMBO (then To be truly useful, data collected through bird monitoring Colorado Bird Observatory) began monitoring birds of programs should not sit on a shelf – or a personal computer. conservation concern in Colorado. Today, they manage They must be shared. To do this, RMBO hosts the online one of the largest coordinated breeding bird monitoring Avian Data Center where land managers, researchers programs in the United States, the Integrated Monitoring and others can access information gathered through its in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program, covering programs. The data center serves as a regional node all or parts of 13 western states. for the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN), a collection of In 2012, biologists and field technicians traipsed across databases run by bird conservation organizations. mountains, prairies and high deserts to conduct 990 In October of 2012, RMBO scientists met with AKN IMBCR surveys, detecting 127,000 individual birds of 309 members and other partners to discuss how to better species. The Avian Science Center, Montana Natural share information across databases. By working together, Heritage Program, Idaho Bird Observatory and Wyoming RMBO and its partners can ensure data collected locally Natural Diversity Database assisted with data collection contributes to our understanding of bird populations on for the IMBCR program. much larger scales.

A male Western Tanager wears a geolocator backpack. In 2012, In 2012, bird records in RMBO’s Avian Data Center surpassed the RMBO biologists attached geolocators to 10 Western Tanagers 1.5 million mark. The first bird entered after hitting that mark was in Rocky Mountain National Park to discover important stopover a Painted Redstart, recorded July 8, 2012, by RMBO’s International sites, migration routes and the wintering locations for this local team outside of Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico. population. This study builds upon last year’s breakthrough announcement of the core wintering grounds of the Black Swift in Brazil, discovered using geolocator data.

5 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Birds serve as an important indicator of environmental change. As humans influence nature – and the effects of climate change become more pressing – declines in bird populations act as a “canary in the coal mine” for detecting negative impacts on the environment. To better understand bird population trends and identify the needs of common species and those of conservation concern, RMBO scientists conduct innovative monitoring and research programs. What they learn through science contributes to the big picture for bird and habitat conservation and informs management decisions that can reverse the decline of priority species.

Informing Managers “The surveys conducted by RMBO and its partners ensure we are Modeling Northern Goshawk Distribution keeping our finger on the pulse The Northern Goshawk is a species of conservation of bird populations.” concern in many U.S. Forest Service regions, given its susceptibility to deforestation, catastrophic wildfires David Hanni, and other factors. RMBO has been working with the RMBO’s Science Director Forest Service to monitor this species since 2006. Using innovative modeling techniques, RMBO biometricians developed a map based on monitoring data and forest condition to show managers where Northern Goshawks Looking Ahead are likely to reside across the Southwest Region. This map will help managers focus conservation efforts for RMBO is developing a tool that shows this at-risk species on forests in Arizona and New Mexico. landowners and land managers how conservation practices, such as marking fences and rotational grazing, can increase populations of sage grouse and other sagebrush birds. The tool will integrate bird population and vegetation data with feedback from end-users, ensuring cost-effective bird conservation while meeting economic objectives. A redesign of the Avian Data Center will be released in 2013, providing a “one stop shop” for data collected by RMBO and its partners. Training sessions will be held throughout the year. Last summer, the Fontenelle Fire burned thousands of acres Visit: rmbo.org/v3/avian/Home.aspx on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and surrounding lands in western Wyoming, including two active Northern Goshawk nests. Five years of fieldwork are now complete Observation rates from RMBO surveys were low in 2012, for the South Dakota Breeding Bird Atlas with many goshawks likely displaced by the fire. II. In 2013, the data on roughly 60,000 bird observations will be proofed and then used to produce distribution maps for each species, allowing biologists to document how breeding bird populations have changed in South Dakota since the Osprey by Bill Schmoker first atlas 20 years ago and evaluate what this means for future conservation.

2012 Annual Report | 6

Engaging People Education in Conservation

Connecting Inspiring Youth Reaching New with Nature Summer Bird Camps Audiences Environmental Learning Center Last year, RMBO’s summer camps Family & Community Programs gave 60 youths ages 4 to 12 the In April of 2012, RMBO welcomed With funding from Adams County opportunity to get outside and gain students for the first time to its Open Space and private donors, RMBO a deeper appreciation for Colorado’s Environmental Learning Center, added a new Community Education unique wildlife and habitats. The Young located at Barr Lake State Park near Coordinator last year to develop family Ecologists camp treated 11-year-olds Brighton, Colorado. On opening day, and community-focused programs. to a week of learning and adventure, a Bald Eagle perched in a tree by the including field trips to a wildlife refuge, outdoor classroom, watching over 60 ranch and water treatment center. The fourth-graders as they learned about girls even managed to identify 47 birds water conservation. It was a positive in five days using their field guides! omen, said educator Emily Snode, for the day’s activities – and the future In addition to Colorado camps, educator of the center. In the first few months, Maggie Vinson helped run two camps more than 1,000 students visited the in western Nebraska in 2012. At bird center to explore nature and to learn camp, third- to fifth-graders made bird about water, prairies and birds. feeders, learned to use binoculars and played bird games, while a weeklong paleontology camp gave older students Tyler Edmondson, the chance to dig for fossils, visit Community Education Coordinator museums and hike through time at Toadstool Geological Park.

Educator Emily Snode leads a program at the new Environmental Learning Center. The center, incorporated into RMBO’s main office, a renovated 1880s home known as the Old Stone House, features a prairie trail, indoor and outdoor classrooms, demonstration gardens and access to Campers test their bird identification skills Barr Lake, with its diversity of habitats and during the Young Ecologists camp. abundance of birds and other wildlife. Cassin’s Sparrow by Bill Schmoker

7 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

Bird bander Meredith McBurney places a MacGillivray’s Warbler in the palms of a girl’s hands. The bird lies still for a second, then springs into the air and flies off into the trees, causing the third-grader to shriek with delight. It’s a brief but powerful moment, when a young person – a future ornithologist, perhaps – experiences the wonder and science of birds. For 25 years, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory has been inspiring people of all ages to care about birds, get outdoors and be good stewards of the land and its resources. To quote one of our partners, “You can’t conserve birds and their habitats by changing the behavior of birds.” It’s people who are the true solution to conservation.

Big Year at Barr Lake Station New Pavilion for Chatfield Station “You have no idea what a tremendous Banding Birds job the RMBO instructors have done RMBO and its partners operated six The 26th season of banding birds at On May 4, more than 100 guests with our elementary students. They banding stations in the fall in Colorado Barr Lake State Park was a big one. gathered at the banding station at had an absolutely wonderful time and Nebraska and two in the spring in More than 1,700 birds were banded Chatfield State Park for the opening learning and experiencing science Colorado in 2012. The stations served during the fall season, including many of a new pavilion. RMBO operates the from a perspective that is rarely as outdoor classrooms for studying bird rare – and relatively rare – species like station in partnership with the Audubon seen by low-income students.” migration and anatomy and enhancing Red-naped Sapsucker, Philadelphia Society of Greater Denver. Students the public’s appreciation of birds. Vireo and Bay-breasted Warbler. In from the University of Colorado designed From a teacher evaluation, addition, more than 1,600 students and and built the pavilion, which will serve Pinnacle Charter School, adults visited the station to learn about as an outdoor classroom for visiting Federal Heights, CO bird migration and see scientists at school groups. work. Other highlights from the season included the first-ever evening banding session, conducted for students in Adams County’s Experience 9 to 5 Looking Ahead program, and a live video broadcast from the banding station to schools Outdoor restrooms, prairie restoration across the U.S. in partnership with the and other enhancements are slated for Denver Museum of Nature & Science. the Environmental Learning Center in A Worm-eating Warbler, a first for the the coming year. Barr Lake Banding Station RMBO will introduce a new summer Representatives from RMBO and its camp to its schedule, Taking Flight. The partners cut the ribbon at the new pavilion weeklong camp for 12- to 14-year-olds at the Chatfield State Park banding station. will take place in Colorado in early June.

A bird banding station in Fort Collins, Colorado, is planned for fall of 2013, which will be located along the Cache la Poudre River and showcase a diversity of Bird bander Meredith McBurney teaches Maria Bustos, an Experience 9 to 5 student, resident and migratory birds. the proper photographer’s hold with a male House Finch. Maria had an amazing experience at Barr Lake and wants to build on it by pursuing a career with wildlife.

2012 Annual Report | 8 Because Conservation Stewardship Starts with a Conversation

Working at a Local Level BioBlitz Species Inventory Wetlands Restoration Sagebrush Conservation RMBO collaborates with the Natural Resources Biologist Martin Moses out of Durango, Over three days last spring, more than Last year, biologist Christina Santana Conservation Service and other partners in the Colorado, initiated two BioBlitzes with 50 people with Wildlands Restoration out of Gunnison, Colorado, worked with U.S. and abroad to place private lands wildlife a private landowner on her property Volunteers planted more than 1,200 Lanny and Patsy Denham of Denham biologists (PLWB) in communities across the along the Dolores River. Scientists, native shrubs and trees in the riparian Ranch to initiate a project that will Intermountain West. These biologists work students, teachers and volunteers corridor adjacent to RMBO’s bird restore roughly 260 acres of Gunnison with landowners, land managers, agricultural participated in the species inventory, banding station at Chico Basin Ranch, Sage-grouse habitat on the family’s professionals and others to foster proactive, which will provide a baseline for located 35 miles southeast of Colorado Kinikin property, just east of Montrose. voluntary conservation efforts and implement monitoring changes to the wildlife Springs, Colorado. The project was The project will focus on removing on-the-ground habitat enhancement projects community following habitat restoration part of a long-term effort, funded invasive Juniper and Pinion trees and that benefit wildlife. In 2012, the PLWB program planned for the property in 2013. by a wetlands grant from Colorado include perimeter fencing, reseeding expanded to 11 biologists across three western Parks and Wildlife, to remove invasive and prescribed grazing to benefit the states and one in Chihuahua, Mexico. Tamarisk and Russian-olive and restore grouse, a species under consideration riparian areas at the ranch, whose for Endangered Species Act listing. habitat is a hot spot for migrating birds.

An Ord’s Kangaroo Rat discovered during a BioBlitz

The Gunnison Sage-grouse is a species of A crew from Wildlands Restoration conservation concern. The property is located Volunteers at Chico Basin Ranch less than two miles from an active lek. 2012 by the Numbers

1,350 people reached through landowner visits, presentations, workshops, public events and restoration projects in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming

220 visits with landowners

263 projects that enhanced 66,516 acres of prairie, shrublands and wetlands

$2.26 million in Farm Bill funds and $95,817 in non-Farm Bill funds put toward improving wildlife habitat on private lands

9 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory In 1995, then-Executive Director Mike Carter wrote in a letter to members, “If you are going to work to conserve shortgrass prairie, you’d better be talking to ranchers and farmers.” That statement is still very much true today. Grassland and arid land birds, like the Mountain Plover and Lark Bunting, remain at-risk species. To make a difference for these birds, landowner outreach is crucial because 80% of their habitat lies under private ownership. As a non-governmental organization with no gun, badge or shield, RMBO is uniquely positioned to reach out to landowners and agricultural resource professionals – in the U.S. and abroad – about the need to balance working landscapes with bird conservation.

Expansion in Wyoming “I love RMBO’s style of conservation. Landowner Profile It’s on-the ground, real stuff. You can Range conservationist Brandon Elkins Rancher & Board Member see it, feel it and touch it.” out of Gillette, Wyoming, joined the In the late 1990s, Grady Grissom, a PLWB program last year to conserve rancher in southeast Colorado, shifted Grady Grissom, Greater Sage-grouse in the Powder his management style at Rancho Landowner, River Basin. He has been working with Largo Cattle Co. from a focus on Fowler, CO landowners and managers to develop cattle production to land stewardship. and implement grazing and restoration Grady said he was motivated by an plans on vacated energy extraction sites understanding that ecosystem health across private and public lands. leads to ranching profit. Looking Ahead To enhance wildlife habitat on his ranch, he enacted strategic grazing RMBO was asked to serve as a partner methods and stewardship projects in writing and editing the State of the with assistance from Rocky Mountain Birds report for private lands. Slated for Bird Observatory. “It was clear from summer of 2013, the report is a national the start that the stewardship team from RMBO understood landowner publication produced in support of bird perspectives,” he said. “The folks at conservation. RMBO developed projects that fit my Next year, RMBO will produce a management style, and they provided the funding and expertise to make training manual called Integrating Bird Brandon Elkins, Conservation into Range Management Range Conservationist them a reality.” in the Sage Steppe, which will highlight habitat needs for sagebrush birds. The manual will be used during training workshops with landowners and resource professionals in several western states including Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

In 2013, RMBO is partnering with researchers from Virginia Tech to Grady Grissom talks about land stewardship survey landowners in Nebraska about at last year’s BBQ for the Birds. Grady joined RMBO’s board of directors in 2012. their motivations to participate in RMBO’s Mountain Plover conservation Blue-winged Teal by Bill Schmoker program (see page 13).

2012 Annual Report | 10 Bird Conservation International Across Borders

Filling Knowledge Gaps Inspiring Youth with Science through Education In its sixth season, the Chihuahuan Desert wintering Since first visiting Mexico in the early 1990s to study

grassland bird monitoring program covered 15 priority wintering birds and build partnerships, RMBO has

areas in six Mexican states and two U.S. states. In provided outreach to local communities to foster bird and 2012, bird and vegetation data from the past six years habitat conservation. While in Chihuahua last year, in of monitoring were used to develop the first-ever cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and Naturalia, conservation plan for grassland birds that winter in the RMBO biologists invited 240 students from the Janos Chihuahuan Desert. The plan provides guidance for area to learn about the birds in their own backyard. The maintaining and enhancing habitat for five grassland students helped flush birds out of the grass and into nets species of conservation concern, including Sprague’s to be captured for the winter survival study mentioned in Pipit and Baird’s Sparrow. the caption to the left. “These young people are the future stewards of this land,” said Arvind Panjabi, RMBO’s International Director. “They will decide whether or not to include wildlife in their management decisions.”

A Baird’s Sparrow wears a radio transmitter. In 2012, RMBO biologists placed 74 transmitters on Baird’s and Grasshopper Sparrows in Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico, to determine survival rates, habitat needs and threats to these species, which have lost 70-80% of their global population since 1966. This Mexican students watch as biologist Erin Strasser releases a knowledge will help identify and measure the effects of limiting Baird’s Sparrow. factors in the life cycles of these migratory species and target future conservation efforts.

11 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Grassland birds have declined more steeply than any other group of North American birds. The key to reversing their decline may lie in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico, where 90% of western North America’s migratory grassland bird species overwinter. In the last five years, an estimated half-million birds have been displaced in the Valles Centrales region of Chihuahua, where grasslands are rapidly vanishing through agricultural conversion and inadequate management. RMBO is currently the only U.S.-based, non-governmental organization with a long-term, on-the-ground program dedicated to conserving grassland birds in the Chihuahuan Desert. With the help of partners, RMBO is using its approach of science, education and stewardship to address the needs of priority species where they need it most.

Engaging Ranchers Jalisco, Mexico in Stewardship In spring and summer of 2012, RMBO Using remote sensing data, RMBO scientists have shown dramatic completed its first season of data

expansion of cropland in the Valles Centrales region of Chihuahua collection in the pine-oak and cloud

forests of western Mexico, the primary within the last decade. To stem this habitat loss, RMBO and international partners initiated a private lands outreach, management wintering grounds for most forest-dwell- and habitat improvement program in 2012 to engage local ranchers ing migrant birds breeding in western in stewardship. The program aims to show ranchers how to practice North America. This project brings sustainable, profitable ranching, so they are not enticed into converting together partners from Universidad de or selling their land for agriculture. To date, RMBO’s private lands Guadalajara, the U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist in Chihuahua has enrolled ranches totaling 23,000 International Programs and CONAFOR, acres in the program. RMBO’s goal is to enroll 300,000 acres by 2020. Mexico’s National Forestry Commission, to identify and protect key habitats for migrant and endemic birds. During the inaugural season, surveyors conducted 737 point counts on 23 of CONAFOR’s National Forest and Soils Inventory points, detecting 147 bird species and gathering vegetation data. CONAFOR will use information from the project to better integrate bird needs into forest management practices and guide its innovative payment for ecosystem services program.

Looking Ahead Habitat loss, overgrazing, drought and loss of nest sites threaten the native population of Aplomado Falcons in the Valles Centrales region. In 2012, RMBO With partner support, RMBO will expand surveyors found only three active nesting pairs out of 25 recorded in 2000. its winter survival research in 2013 to To protect the unique and isolated desert population of this species, RMBO’s private lands wildlife biologist has targeted ranches where the falcons have include more study sites across the range historically nested. In 2012, he enrolled ranches that support at least two of Baird’s and Grasshopper Sparrows. nesting pairs of Aplomado Falcons in RMBO’s stewardship program, with plans to restore an additional four pairs through supplemental nest sites and RMBO will help expand the Partners In improved range management. Flight conservation status assessment to Long-billed Curlew by Bill Schmoker cover all bird species of Central America, completing this key vulnerability review for all birds from Alaska to Panama.

2012 Annual Report | 12 Engaging Citizens in Science

25 Years of Protecting DMNS Speaker Series 2012 Bald Eagle Watch Mountain Plovers In 2012, RMBO and the Denver Museum of Volunteers Nature & Science brought four avian experts When RMBO was founded, one of the first Mountain Plovers can nest successfully Thank you to these to the museum for a speaker series on the people who donated projects for the fledgling organization was in cropland – as long as nests are not evolution of birds. Nearly 650 people attended their time and talents monitoring a rare Bald Eagle nest at Barr accidentally tilled. To facilitate nesting the series to learn about the latest in avian to help RMBO conserve Lake. In 2012, Bald Eagle Watch completed success on cropland, RMBO launched a science and conservation. Stay tuned to www. its 25th year of nest monitoring along program in 2003 funded by state wildlife rmbo.org for upcoming speakers at DMNS. birds and their habitats. Colorado’s Front Range, and volunteers grants, the Nebraska Game and Parks Citizen scientists, counted the 45th Bald Eagle fledged at Barr Commission and Nebraska Environmental volunteer naturalists, Lake. Citizen science programs like this one Trust to locate and mark Mountain Plover bird banders and allow volunteers to participate in real science nests to protect them from accidental tilling other volunteers add while learning about the species they are by farmers. A decade later, these efforts enormous capacity helping to conserve. In addition to Bald Eagle continue thanks to the support of dedicated to RMBO and its Watch, RMBO coordinated the ColonyWatch landowners. In 2012, 78 landowners in program to monitor 15 species of colonial Nebraska, representing more than 200,000 mission, assisting with waterbirds in Colorado and the HawkWatch acres, took part in the nest-marking programs, projects and program to collect data on raptor migrations. program, the highest landowner involvement special events. Board Visit www.rmbo.org to find out how to become to date. With their help, 66 nests were located members dedicated a citizen scientist. and 67% of those nests produced young. countless hours to Cornell Lab of Ornithology Director John volunteer programs Fitzpatrick, pictured here with RMBO Executive and to guiding RMBO Director Tammy VerCauteren, closed out the 2012 speaker series at DMNS with an inspiring talk on through its 25th year. the modern extinction and conservation of birds. Julia Auckland Elisa Austell Jocie Baker David Balcorta Lucero Bill Bell In June of 2012, the High Park Fire crept Landowner Dan Culek marks a Mountain Plover Gil Blankespoor dangerously close to a Bald Eagle nest northwest nest on his property in Kimball County, Nebraska. of Fort Collins, Colorado. A trio of citizen scientists Without a marker, a plover nest – just a scrape in Michele Bloom and coordinator Cindi Kelly monitored the nest the dirt, lined with pebbles or bits of grass – is hard Steve Bloom despite encroaching flames. Fortunately, the nest to spot from a tractor. survived and three eaglets successfully fledged. Mischa Bock Georgiana Bohlender Jennifer Bohn Ann Bond

13 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 2012 Volunteers

Bob Bradley Jim Gano Michael Kiessig Sue Mozian Mike Sherman Volunteer Glenda Brown Delia Garcia Aranda David Klute Elizabeth Munson Mariana Jovita Silva Piña Profile Steve Brown Janet George Connie Kogler Stacia Near Virginia Simmons Nicole Buyck Mackenzie Goldthwait César Ulises Lara Paz Duane Nelson Malinda Slaybaugh For the Love of Hernando Cabral Jorge Gonzalez Villalba Kitty LeDonne Shawn Nowlan Paul Slingsby Bird Banding Nayeli Carvajal Acosta Gregg Goodrich Cecilia Leumas Ric Olson Sarah Smith Drew Cashman Grady Grissom Thomas Litteral Ricky Olson Dan Staley Joel Chapa Francis Haas Paola Elianne Lopéz Villa Jesus Ordaz Dave Swanson Karen Clark Joanne Haller Jennifer Lowry Jeff Palmer Wendy Sydow Carol Cochran Frank Hatch Forrest Luke Ken Pals Joyce Takamine Francis Commercon Alison Hazel Joe Lupfer Tom Parchman Cinthia Tarango Balcorta Joyce Commercon Mike Henwood Cynthia Madsen Brad Parks D. Jean Tate Meg Cooper Jesus Emilio Hermosillo Jim Madsen Todd Patrick Warren Taylor Megan Miller volunteers at Montes the bird banding stations Kevin Corwin Marcia Maeda Laura Peterson Mieke Titulaer at Chatfield State Park in Mike Crosby Melinda Hetrick Paul Mammenga Tasha Rainer Raquel Treviño the spring and Barr Lake State Park in the fall. As a Arthur Dahl Dona Hilkey Gonzalo Martinez Espinosa Jennie Ratico Amber Tyler banding volunteer, Megan David Hill Steve Deitemeyer Jose Hugo Martinez Elidia Lizeth Rios Alarcon Ron Van Ommeren helps with capturing birds Coen Dexter Jill Holden Guerrero Andrea Robinsong Lois Vanek and recording data. An avid birder, Megan said she Alejandro Donatti Charles Hopton Edna Mason Joe Roller Karina Alejandra Vázquez enjoys the opportunity to Barbara Hughes Kylie Mattes Rojas Eileen Dowd-Stukel Gary Rossmiller work with birds and interact Christy Dowling Chuck Hundertmark Kay McConnell Pamela Roth Lili Vela with young people when Bill Huser Tom McConnell Linda Vidal they visit the stations. As a Jim Duggan Roger Rouch girl, learning about all of the Ken Ecton Sherri Huwer Brock McCormick Niña Routh Scott Wait interesting, colorful birds Bill Eden Jennifer Hyypio Alexis McEwan Cinthya Eunice Ruiz Tiffany Watts of Colorado inspired her Todd Jensen Merrye McGilvray Lynn Wickersham to get into birding, so she Lorraine Everman Thomas Ryon hopes to do the same for Lee Farrell Cyndy Johnson César Mendez Jan Sailer Ronda Woodward others through her work with RMBO. Megan aspires to one Linda Farrell Linda Johnson Charlie Miller Bill Schmoker Brenda Wright day be a professional bander. Pam Johnson Lucinda Miller Bill Wuerthele Paula Fischer Jim Schmoker One of her favorite birds is Ellen Fisher Dale Jones Megan Miller Bella Schroeder Lawrence Zanetell the Northern Flicker. “I spent all of the fall banding season Kate Frost Tina Jones Melissa Miller Zoya Schroeder Benjamin Zank waiting to catch one and we Cindi Kelly Larry Modesitt Mick Zerr Nelda Gamble Scott Severs did. It was so exciting!”

2012 Annual Report | 14 2012 Members and Donors

Thank you to the following people and Barbara Cummings Gregg Goodrich Robert & Joy Kaylor Nancy Merrill William Pilkenton organizations for supporting Rocky Mountain Dan and Jeannine Eckles Barbara Gorges Mary & William Keithler Ron & Katherine Meyer Vivian Pliler Philanthropy Fund Bird Observatory and its mission to conserve Sara Gremel Joey & Brenda Kellner Patricia Meyers Sally Plummer Madeline Day birds and their habitats. Basic one-year Eli Grimsley Douglas Kibbe Christian Michelson Duane & Mary Pool Bob Dellapina memberships are $35 for individuals and $60 Ann & Mike Groshek Michael Kiessig Lucinda Miller Christopher Pope Justin Derner for families. RMBO welcomes and appreciates JoAnn Hackos Nyla Kladder Ron & Jeannie Mitchell David & Grace Potter Martha & Donald Dick contributions in any amount. Please visit Joanne Haller Anna Klemme Ken & Marti Morgan Elaine Probasco David & Elizabeth Dillman www.rmbo.org or call 303-659-4348 Joanne Harnit Alison Kondler Randy & Nancy Morgan Laura Quattrini The Doerfler Family for information. Susan Harris Nic & Mary Korte Sandra Mortensen Susan Quinlan Patricia Donovan Georgia Hart Hod Kosman Robert Moses C.J. & Carol Ralph Sharon Dooley Bonnie Adamson Richard & Jackie Bruggers Barbara Hawke Dorothy & Hans Krimm Robert Moston Bayard Rea Kathleen Doyle Aiken Audubon Society Philippe & Alice Bucher John & Patricia Hayes Janet Ruth & David Krueper Susie Mottashed James Reisert Mary & Dave Driscoll Mark Amershek Diane Buell Reid Hayhow Yvonne & James Kullberg John & Sherry Mudd Dana Remy Terrence Dunn Catherine Anderson Mary Burger Jane Heinz Peter Kummerfeldt The Muir Family Marilyn Rhodes Jug Eastman Keith Anderson Rebecca & W.M. Campbell Norma Heinz Ron & Ann Lambeth Donald Mullineaux Terry Rich Debra Eberts Mario & Meredith Anderson Art Campfield Ron Hellbusch Robert Lang Anna Naeser & Gerald Chandler Robbins Tyler Edmondson Terwilliger Anonymous (12) Minerva Canavan Judith Henderson Kitty LeDonne Andrea Robinsong Don & Kathy Ehrenberger Tamara Naumann Sandra & Tore Arnesen S.S. Capozella Mike & Janet Henwood Susan Lee Cecile Rose & Rick Bieser Annikki Elkind Duane Nelson Julia Auckland Cheri Carbon Steve Herbener Robin Leong Ellen Rosenberg David Elwonger & Diane Lori & K.F. Nielsen Jane Axtell Cynthia Carr Luck Allison Hilf Karen Levad Lani Sargent Kevin Notheis Kaye Bache-Snyder Kathleen & David Carr Fred & Tena Engelman David Hill Greg Levandoski Marshall Schecter Shawn Nowlan Robert Backus Deb Carstensen Fran Enright Clyde Hoadley Lois Levinson Judy Scheig George Ogura Charles Baker Maggie Carter The Evergreen Naturalists Doug & Jan Hodous A. Sylvia Lewis Jim & Karen Schmoker Suzanne Ohatnick Dennis Baldwin Mike Carter Audubon Society Barbara Holme Norman Lewis Kathy Schneebeck Dulnoan Cheryl Orwig Misi Ballard James Carver Mark & Patricia Familetto Duane Hope Ross Lock Karleen Schofield Christie Owens Robert Baron Joel Chapa Lee & Linda Farrell Deta Hower Barb Lovick Julie & John Schroeder Arvind Panjabi Marda Barthuli The Charles and Ida Family Doug & Elena Faulkner Elizabeth Hubbell Jane Low Kevin & Lynn Schutz Trust: Charles Wilson Brent Parker Tom & Jeanne Baur Laurie Faye Michael & Barbara Hughes Linda Luther Beverly Sears Cheyenne-High Plains Jora Fogg Jean Parker James Baxter Audubon Society Kathleen Hultgren Gary & Cherie Macdonald Elizabeth Jean & David Michael Forsberg Nancy Parker & James Sharer Robert Beck Patricia & Boyd Clark The Human Factor Research Marcia Maeda Renga Kate Frost and Consulting Alice Sharp Richard Beidleman Cliff Clusin Debra Dreese Mallory David & JoAnne Parkes Katherine Fulford Terry Hunter Diane Smethills Tim & Jackie Bennett John & Bayard Cobb Claude & Judy Martin Lily Patrick Ed Furlong Kelly Hurley Arthur Smith Joan & William Bevington Carol Cochran Roger & Barbara Mattison Greg Pavelka John & Nelda Gamble Pat Hutson Francoise Smith Judith Bird Irwin & Adelaide Cohen Marilyn McBirney Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. Peter Gent Anne & Clifford James Jean Smith Birds & Beans LLC Victoria Collier Martha McCauley Mary Pearson Phillip Gerkin Todd Jensen Susan Smith Adam Birek Joyce & Pascal Commercon Ray McGuinness Katherine Peckham Viola Geslin Peggy Jernigan Steven Snyder Black Canyon Audubon Lorraine Cooper Matthew McLaren Rosemary Pendleton Society Galen Gibson Ryan Johnson Rita Sommers Haultain Corbett Michael & Blakely Mechau Gregory & Frances Chris & Suzanne Blakeslee Jane Gidlewski Tom Johnson Penkowsky Shari Southard Carole Cotham-Machala David Mehlman Jennifer Blakesley Carolyn & John Jones George Sparks Diane Gilles & Stephen C. Larry Meier Perfect Seedbed Company Edward Crane Johnson Ann Bonnell LeAnn Joswick Carol Phelps Howard & Anne Spery Eva & Peter Crane Susan Meiler Boulder Bird Club Scott & Kathy Goering Marjorie Joy Steve Stachowiak Lynn Merrill Tracy Pheneger Adam Crowe Jane Goff Denise & Mark Bretting Jan Justice-Waddington Andrew Pierson Jeff Stephenson

15 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Jean & Steve Stevenson Lynn Willcockson Friends of RMBO $500 - $999 Friend Profile Leslie Stewart-Phelps Lisa & Paul Williams $10,000 and up Adams County Trails and Robert & Nancy Stocker Michael-Phillip Wilson & Open Space Foundation Former Chairman & Long-Time Supporters Barb Nabors The Dellora A. & Lester J. Carl & Cherry Stogsdill Norris Foundation: Pam Betty Ambler Deb Wingfield Thomas Streiffert Norris Jim & Jill Anderson Amy Winter Jeff Stroup The Morgridge Family Gerhard Assenmacher Donald & Eleanor Wolf Foundation: John & Carrie Margaret Stuvel Morgridge Chuck & Nancy Bell Marvin Woolf Kathleen Sullivan The Warner Family Gregg Campbell Lynn Yehle Charitable Fund: Ed Warner Tim Sullivan Jim & Nancy Carpenter Joe Yurkovic & Jackie Erickson Marleen Swalm Jim Duggan Karen Yust Dean Swift $5,000 - $9,999 Jan Fargo & Jim Wallace Ellen Zachary Wendy Sydow Jack & Leslie Ferguson Eric Zorawowicz Larry Modesitt Martha Sylvester Front Range Birding Ellen Zweibel Pam Norris Company: Tom Bush Joyce Takamine The Timken Family Trust: Mackenzie Goldthwait D. Jean Tate Peter T. Toot Francis Haas, Jr. Cheryl Teuton & John Brooke Chuck Hundertmark & $1,000 - $4,999 Marjorie Jannotta Greg Thomas Mike & Steve Bloom Kathanne J. Lynch & Beth Jack and Joan Whiting are Friends of Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Charles & Jennifer Madden Thornton-Kolbe Kevin E. Corwin Former teachers and humble birders, Jack and Joan volunteered for Pamela H. Meier Candace Tomlinson Confluent Design: Kevin RMBO during a time of transition at the turn of the millennium. They Lyles Melinda Quiat Helen Traylor helped with fundraising for the remodeling of the Old Stone House, Hugh & Urling Kingery REI: Mark Guebert-Steward Tuesday Birders RMBO’s headquarters at Barr Lake State Park, and participated in Harold & Ann Logan Robert Righter Harold & Debbie Tyber the complete refurbishing of the 1880s home. Jack served as Bryan Lorber Christine Sibona Amber Tyler chairman of the board from 1999-2001 and has even used his wood- Meredith McBurney Paul & Bea Slingsby Valley Bank & Trust carving skills to create bird decoys for RMBO studies. Jack and Joan MDC/Richmond American Tammy & Kurt VerCauteren Jean Van Loan cite the educational component and tangible impacts of RMBO as key Homes Foundation: David Wells Fargo: Kevin Kildow Tim Vanhaverbeke Mandarich reasons why they continue to support the organization as Friends. James & Marilyn Wilson Linda Vidal Mortimer Charitable Trust: “We’ve been involved with RMBO for so long because we believe in Catherine Symchych & the organization and its mission. When we’re gone, we’d like to think Karen von Saltza Steven Symchych there’s a whole other generation that believes as strongly as we did Peggy Wait Tom Parchman about bird conservation.” Bruce & Donna Walgren Joe Roller, M.D. The Warner Ranch Randy Siebert & Glenda Carley Warren Brown Nancy Warren United Power: Robert Broderick, Troy Whitmore & Rocky Mountain Bird Jean Watson Heidi Storz Observatory makes every Tiffany & Chris Watts Jack & Joan Whiting effort to maintain accurate Tracy & Craig Webb Wild Birds Unlimited - and up-to-date records. If Please consider Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory in your estate Denver/Arvada: David & Manly Weidman you were a member or donor planning. Contact Executive Director Tammy VerCauteren at 970-482- Kathy Menough, Scott & in 2012 and your name does James Welsh Sandy Menough not appear on this list, please 1707 ext. 16 for assistance in making a lasting contribution to bird and Thomas Wilberding Wild Birds Unlimited - Fort accept our apologies and let habitat conservation. Collins: Lauren DeRosa Wildland Resources us know by emailing teddy. James & Carrie Wilkins [email protected] or calling 970-482-1707 ext. 30.

2012 Annual Report | 16 Financials

City of Fort Collins Utilities Eagle Optics Department Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 2012 Partners EDM International, Inc. Colorado Alliance for Financial Summary FY 2012 (Unaudited) EMR, Inc. & Funders Environmental Education Enterprise Holding Foundation Adams County Open Space Colorado Association of Revenues Aiken Audubon Conservation Districts Environment for the Americas Allstate Permit Services, LLC Colorado Chapter of The Wildlife Evergreen Naturalists Audubon Contributions $164,264 Society Society American Bird Conservancy Memberships $3,862 Colorado Dept. of Natural Farm Service Agency American Birding Association Resources Finnders & Youngberg SCFD Grant $199,871 Arizona Game and Fish Colorado Field Ornithologists Department For The Birds Contracts & Grants $3,458,913 Colorado Mountain Club Association of Fish & Wildlife Fort Collins Audubon Colorado Natural Heritage Other $8,365 Agencies Friends of Barr Lake Program Audubon Colorado Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Total Revenues $3,835,275 Colorado Parks and Recreation Audubon Nebraska Total Revenues Revenues Total $3,835,275 Association Funkwerks Expenses Audubon Rockies Colorado Parks and Wildlife Grand Valley Audubon Society Audubon Society of Greater Denver Colorado Plateau Cooperative Great Basin Bird Observatory

Program $3,164,170 Expenses Total $3,650,575 Ecosystem Study Unit Avian Knowledge Alliance Great Northern Landscape Administration $452,945 Avian Knowledge Network Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Conservation Cooperative Trail Association Avian Science Center Great Plains Landscape Development $33,460 Colorado State Beekeepers Conservation Cooperative Avogadro’s Number Association Total Expenses $3,650,575 Greater Brighton Neighborhood Barr Lake State Park Colorado State Forest Service Volunteers Bird Studies Canada Colorado State Land Board Gulley’s Greenhouse & Garden Change in Net Assets $184,700 Center Birdworks, LCC Colorado State University HawkWatch International Bismarck State College Commission for Environmental Black Canyon Audubon Society Cooperation Idaho Bird Observatory Brighton Chamber of Commerce CONABIO Intermountain West Joint Venture Butterfly Pavilion CONAFOR JAX Mercantile Campbell County Conservation Confluent Design Jefferson County Open Space District ConocoPhillips Josh Cellars This summary financial information has not been Canadian Wildlife Service Alan Cooley Karval Community Alliance audited. Please visit www.rmbo.org after May 31, 2013, Chadron State Park Cornell Lab of Ornithology Kimball County Conservation for the audited financial statements including all Collaborative Chatfield State Park Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation note disclosures. Klamath Bird Observatory Chico Basin Ranch Denver Field Ornithologists La Plata County Open Space Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Denver Museum of Nature & Regional Alliance Science Larimer County Natural Resources Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is a CIPAMEX nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Desert Landscape Conservation Legacy Land Trust Cooperative Citizens of the Scientific & Cultural Malpai Borderlands Group Facilities District Desert Southwest Cooperative Middle Park Habitat Partnership Ecosystem Study Unit City of Brighton Forestry Program Ducks Unlimited City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Middle Park Land Trust Program

17 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 2012 Partners and Funders

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Pronatura Noreste U.S. Bureau of Land Management White River Conservation District Montana Natural Heritage Pronatura Sur U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Western Wild Birds Unlimited Partner-Funder Profile Program SARE Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Wild Wings Environmental Intergovernmental Group Supports Montezuma Land Conservancy U.S. Dept. of Defense Education Ranchlands Learning and RMBO’s Grassland Work Mule Deer Foundation Research Center U.S. Dept. of Defense: Partners Wildcat Hills Audubon in Flight National Association for REI Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Interpretation U.S. Environmental Protection Ridgway State Park Wildlands Restoration Volunteers Agency National Audubon Society Rio Grande Joint Venture Wirestone, Inc. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Ecological Observatory Riverside Zoo World Wildlife Fund Network U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Roaring Fork Audubon Society National Wildlife Refuge Program Wyoming Association of National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Districts Foundation Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Neotropical Migratory Bird Wyoming Bird Habitat National Park Service Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Conservation Act Conservation Partnership National Wild Turkey S & S Optika U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Wyoming Game & Fish Federation Sandhills Task Force Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Department Natural Resources Region 6 Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Wyoming Natural Diversity Conservation Service Conservation District U.S. Forest Service Database Naturalia Bill Schmoker U.S. Forest Service International Wyoming Wildlife & Natural The Commission for Environmental Cooperation Nebraska Bird Partnership Programs Resource Trust Scientific and Cultural (CEC), an intergovernmental organization of Canada, Nebraska Educational Service Collaborative United Power Xerces Society Unit 13 Mexico and the United States, funds grassland bird Sonoran Joint Venture Universidad Autónoma de Yampa Valley Land Trust conservation. The CEC provides funding to RMBO Nebraska Environmental Trust Chihuahua South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Yuma County Pest Control District to develop management initiatives for grassland Nebraska Forest Service Department Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León conservation and bird monitoring, including a private Nebraska Game and Parks South Platte Natural Resources Commission District Universidad de Guadalajara lands wildlife biologist in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the development of an outreach video to ranchers. In New Belgium Brewing Southern Rockies Landscape Universidad Estatal de Sonora Conservation Cooperative addition, the CEC has supported RMBO’s participation New Mexico Ornithological Universidad Juárez del Estado de Society Southern Sierra Research Station Durango in meetings to design and launch a North American Nikon, Inc. Sul Ross State University University of Colorado Denver Grasslands Alliance. We appreciate the CEC’s support in helping us stem the decline of grassland birds and North American Bird Summit County Open Space & University of Kansas Conservation Initiative Trails build local capacity for conservation. University of Montana North Platte Natural Resources Glen Tepke University of Wyoming College of District Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Agriculture & Natural Resources Northern Great Plains Joint The Nature Conservancy Upper Niobrara-White Natural Venture Resources District The Nature Conservancy - Mexico OtterBox USGS Bird Banding Laboratory The Shortgrass Prairie Partners In Flight Partnership Utah Division of Natural Resources Pheasants Forever The Tamarisk Coalition Valley Bank & Trust Playa Lakes Joint Venture The Wildlife Experience Vestas Nacelles America, Inc. Prairie and Wetlands Focus Three Rivers Alliance Vortex Arts Area Tidelands Geophysical Co., Inc. Wells Fargo PRBO Conservation Science Tierra de Aves, A.C. Western Association of Fish and Profauna Coahuila Wildlife Agencies Trout Unlimited

2012 Annual Report | 18 Selected Photo Credits

Front Cover: Baird’s Sparrow by Arvind Panjabi

Pages 3-4: Bald Eagle, Lark Bunting and Piping Plover by Bill Schmoker; Mountain Plover (RMBO file photo); Black Swift by Todd Patrick

Pages 5-6: Osprey by Bill Schmoker; Western Tanager by Greg Levandoski; Painted Redstart by Glen Tepke; Northern Goshawk by Jeff Birek

Pages 7-8: Cassin’s Sparrow by Bill Schmoker; Amphitheater by Kacie Miller; Summer Camp by Tyler Edmondson; Worm-eating Warbler by Meredith McBurney; Experience 9 to 5 by Emily Snode; Chatfield Pavilion by Kacie Miller

Pages 9-10: Blue-winged Teal by Bill Schmoker; Kangaroo Rat by Martin Moses; 14500 Lark Bunting Lane Volunteers by John Giordanengo; Gunnison Sage-grouse by Gerrit Vyn; P.O. Box 1232 Landowner Profile by Teddy Parker-Renga Brighton, CO 80601 303.659.4348 Pages 11-12: Long-billed Curlew by Bill Schmoker; Baird’s Sparrow by Erin Strasser; rmbo.org Mexican Students by Arvind Panjabi; Aplomado Falcon by Denis Perez

Pages 13-14: Bald Eagle Nest by Anna Mangan; Nest Marking by Larry Snyder; DMNS Speaker Series by Teddy Parker-Renga

Page 17: Common Yellowthroat by Bill Schmoker

Back Cover: Loggerhead Shrike by David Pavlik

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