sign in sign up
<<
Home , Chatfield State Park, Intermountain West

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

2013 Annual Report Our Mission: conserving birds and their

Our Vision: healthy, native bird populations sustained in healthy, native ecosystems

Brighton Headquarters Nebraska Office Former Staff Members Board of Directors 14500 Lark Bunting Lane 330243 C.R. H Employed at RMBO in 2013 Peter Ampe, J.D. Brighton, CO 80603 Minatare, NE 69356 Rachel Bock, Staff Accountant Stephen L. Bloom, Ph.D., ABPP (Vice Chairman) (303) 659-4348 | Fax (303) 654-0791 (308) 783-1019 | Fax (308) 783-1021 Kelly Corman, Private Lands Range/Wildlife David M. Charles, M.D. Ecologist Tyler Edmondson, Community Education Coordinator Katy Kuhnel, Shortgrass Prairie Coordinating Steven Deitemeyer, C.F. Wildlife Biologist* Susan Heinz, Staff Accountant Christine Fabian, Chief Financial Officer Jack Ferguson Larry Snyder, Landowner Outreach Biologist Ross Lock, Wildlife Biologist Nancy Gobris, Biologist/Banding Coordinator Grady Grissom, Ph.D. Magdalena Vinson, Nebraska Education Coordinator Alberto Macías-Duarte, Research Ecologist Meredith McBurney, Biologist/Bird Bander Chuck Hundertmark, M.A., A.P.R., A.T.M. Kacie Miller, Education & Outreach Director *employment began in 2014 Noe Marymor, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist (term ended May 23, 2013) Abigail Mohney, Staff Accountant* Andrew Pierson, Shortgrass Prairie Coordinating Larry Modesitt, M.B.A., CQE, CTP (Chairman) Field Offices Wildlife Biologist Emily Snode, School Programs Coordinator Joe Roller, M.D. Noah Bates, Private Lands Range/Wildlife Ecologist, Nathan Schmitz, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist Michael Wright, Staff Accountant* D. Jean Tate, Ph.D. Kremmling, Judith Spiegel, Chief Financial Officer *employment began in 2014 Warren Taylor, Ph.D. (Secretary) Jason Beason, Special Monitoring Projects Coordinator, Bill Tiedje, Landowner Outreach & Program Ed Warner, M.S., L.H.D. Paonia, Colorado Technician Fort Collins Office Pedro Calderón-Dominguez, Private Lands Wildlife Tiffany Watts, CPA 230 Cherry Street Biologist, Chihuahua City, Chihuahua Fort Collins, CO 80521 Casey Cardinal, Private Lands Range/Wildlife Ecologist, (970) 482-1707 | Fax (970) 472-9031 Lamar, Colorado Tammy VerCauteren, Executive Director Nancy Drilling, Dakotas Projects Coordinator, Jenny Berven, Northern Goshawk Project Coordinator Rapid City, South Dakota Jeff Birek, Outreach Biologist Brandon Elkins, Range Conservationist, Jennifer Blakesley, Biometrician Gillette, Wyoming Francyne DeBauge, Science Project Manager & Nancy Hernández Rodríguez, Private Lands Wildlife Finance Administrator Biologist, Chihuahua City, Chihuahua* Angela Dwyer, Wildlife Biologist Colin Lee, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Greeley, Colorado Seth Gallagher, Stewardship Director Brandon Miller, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, David Hanni, Science Director Steamboat Springs, Colorado Greg Levandoski, Director of International Operations Martin Moses, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Matthew McLaren, Biologist Durango, Colorado Arvind Panjabi, International Director Garrett Pantle, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Teddy Parker-Renga, Communications Manager Saratoga, Wyoming David Pavlacky, Biometrician Duane Pool, Landscape Ecologist, Laura Quattrini, Stewardship Program Manager Bismarck, North Dakota Rob Sparks, Research Biologist/GIS Manager Roberto Rodríguez, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Chihuahua City, Chihuahua The staff and board gather for a photo in October of 2013 with guest Greg Miller at the amphitheater at Erin Strasser, Biologist Christina Santana, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, RMBO’s Environmental Learning Center at the Old Stone House at Barr Lake near Brighton, Colorado. Nick Van Lanen, Biologist Gunnison, Colorado Chris White, Biologist Chase Taylor, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, Brittany Woiderski, GIS Biologist Pueblo, Colorado Erin Youngberg, Biologist Aaron Trujillo, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, 2013 RMBO Annual Report published April 2014 Fort Morgan, Colorado Writer and editor: Teddy Parker-Renga Designer: One Tribe Creative *employment began in 2014

1 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Brown-capped Rosy-Finch Our Vision: healthy, native bird populations sustained in healthy, native ecosystems by Tony Leukering

One Acre, One Child, One Partnership at a Time Migrate with Us

In 2013, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was a big year. What makes it so enjoyable to be a part of Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory? We realized a 500,000-acre milestone for conserved and enhanced wildlife on private It feels wonderful when we do something meaningful now that has a big impact lands, offered eight weeks of camps and advanced bird population monitoring across the in the future. As RMBO progresses each year, we widen our scope and achieve West, among other successes. At RMBO, we are accomplishing our mission of bird and greater accomplishments. Perhaps more importantly, we collaborate to get results. habitat conservation one acre, one child and one partnership at a time. We envision a planet We and our partners work together with public and private landowners and where everyone is contributing to a healthy world and together we are improving native bird managers. When we help a rancher make the land more productive and valuable, populations, the land and the lives of people. everybody feels good about it, and the birds benefit along with the rancher. Thank you for investing in our mission. With your support, RMBO has increased its funding to Your contributions have enabled us to help people conserve lands for birds far tackle the greatest needs for our birds. You are helping us conserve dwindling grasslands at beyond what was imaginable at my first board meeting in 2007. Your support allows home and abroad, make critical discoveries for species of conservation concern, get citizens us to extend south to Mexico into our thrashers’ and sparrows’ wintering grounds involved in science that leads to conservation, and provide life-changing experiences for and to work cooperatively with partners nationally and internationally. Habitat loss children where they learn to love and appreciate birds, nature, other people and – most is the biggest factor impacting bird conservation. With your support, we will importantly – themselves. continue to enhance more acres. I’m even more excited about our plans for 2014. In 2013, RMBO set an ambitious fundraising goal of $250,000 to complement After 25 years of progress, does the name “Rocky Mountain Bird our 25th anniversary. Thanks to you – and one amazing man, Jim Duggan, who Observatory” reflect what we do? When we talk to folks, many of them committed his legacy to RMBO – we achieved this goal during our Quarter first think of an observatory being a place to look at something – like Century Campaign, which ended in February of 2014. stars. While we do have lofty aims, we direct them more to the land and its creatures than to the heavens. To describe our work more As you read this annual report, celebrate the tremendous strides we are completely, our name will be migrating and “observatory” will be making for bird conservation with us. The next 25 years offer many challenges, history. Our mission, however, will remain the same. but our staff, board, volunteers and supporters are up to the task. Conservation is a way of life for us. Thank you for your continued support. Take flight with us; we look forward to migrating together with you.

Larry and Tammy celebrate RMBO’s Tammy VerCauteren 25th anniversary in March of 2013 Larry Modesitt Executive Director at the Old Stone House. Chairman of the Board

In Memoriam: Jim Duggan In November of 2013, RMBO and the local birding community lost an extraordinary friend, Jim Duggan. We will miss his smile, passion for birds, handyman skills and friendship. Jim bequeathed a major gift to RMBO in 2014, allowing us to establish an endowment. We are deeply grateful to Jim for his commitment to and belief in our efforts. We will miss Jim dearly, but his legacy will impact people’s lives – and the birds themselves – for generations to come. Thank you, Jim, from all of us.

2013 Annual Report | 2 Science:Science Advancing Knowledge Across the Annual Life Cycle of Birds

To enhance bird populations, conservation actions must be Monitoring Birds on the Using Technology applied when and where birds Breeding Grounds to Track Migration need them most. Many species, IMBCR Program Tanagers and Ospreys in the Rockies however, don’t stay put. Birds Every year in late spring, biologists and technicians In the summer of 2012, RMBO biologists deployed migrate, usually thousands of fan out across the western U.S. to survey birds on their geolocators on 10 Western Tanagers in Rocky Mountain breeding grounds under the Integrated Monitoring in Bird National Park to discover important stopover sites, miles a year, so Rocky Mountain Conservation (IMBCR) program. The program, migration routes and wintering grounds for this local Bird Observatory scientists migrate coordinated by RMBO, is one of the largest of its kind in population. To find this out, however, they needed to get with them. RMBO scientists work , stretching across 13 states from ’s the tiny devices back – not an easy task. In 2013, they on the breeding grounds in the deserts to ’s mountain peaks. In 2013, RMBO and headed back to the same sites in the park where they first its partners at the Avian Science Center, Intermountain captured the tanagers. With a little luck on their side, they warmer months and wintering Bird Observatory and Wyoming Natural Diversity Database spotted four of the tanagers and recaptured two birds with grounds in the cooler ones and use conducted 1,370 IMBCR surveys, detecting 184,246 their geolocators. The data revealed the Western Tanagers cutting-edge technology to identify individual birds of 338 species. Data gathered through the stopped in west Texas and southeastern for a program help scientists identify trends in bird populations month to molt, taking advantage of the monsoon season migration routes and stopover sites. and inform land managers about birds. and burst in insects and vegetation it brought, before Through scientific monitoring and heading south to winter in southern Mexico and northern research, RMBO is informing Guatemala. See map to right. conservation and advancing knowledge across the annual life cycle of birds.

Expanding the program southward in 2013 resulted in species observed for the first time during IMBCR surveys, including Elegant Trogon, Five-striped Sparrow, Magnificent Hummingbird, Also in 2013, RMBO and the National Park Service outfitted Botteri’s Sparrow and Flame-colored Tanager (pictured above). two Ospreys near Rocky Mountain National Park with satellite tracking units. The park is interested in learning where its breeding birds migrate and winter to inform conservation and education. Above, Mike Britten with the National Park Service releases Rainbow; the other bird is named Shadow. Track their migration at www.RMBO.org.

3 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory “By working across the annual life cycle of birds, we can better identify the factors driving population declines and ensure we are taking the right actions in the right places Advancing Knowledge Across the Annual Life Cycle of Birds at the right time.” Lark Bunting David Hanni, RMBO’s Science Director by Jon Delorenzo

Mapping the Connection of Studying Survival on Birds Across Borders the Wintering Grounds Western Tanager Migration Route Sparrows in The map below shows the migration path, stopover sites In March of 2013, RMBO completed its first season and winter range of two Western Tanagers created from studying winter survival and habitat use of Baird’s and geolocator data. RMBO biologists outfitted the tanagers Grasshopper Sparrows in the grasslands of Chihuahua, with geolocators in the summer of 2012 and recaptured Mexico. Both of these species have experienced serious the birds with their geolocators in the summer of 2013. declines over the past five decades and are sensitive to See story to left. habitat degradation. RMBO is filling in knowledge gaps about these sparrows on their wintering grounds Looking Ahead to aid in the annual life cycle conservation of grassland > In 2014, RMBO will develop and test a N birds. A total of 103 sparrows were captured and study design for monitoring the Mexican Rocky Mountain radio-tagged during the four-month study. Only 19 of Spotted Owl on national in National Park those birds survived during a winter marked by little food, Arizona and New Mexico. The long-term low cover and harsh conditions; eight additional sparrows Colorado plan is to develop methodology that will likely survived but could not be confirmed. This study be used to monitor the population status continues in 2014, with expansion to Durango, Mexico. of this federally threatened species.

Stopover > RMBO recently completed a year of Sites collecting bird and vegetation data in the -oak and cloud forests of western Mexico. The data will be used to help Mexico’s National Commission, CONAFOR, better integrate birds into forest management and guide its

Winter Range innovative payment for ecosystem services program on private lands.

Legend > RMBO’s Jason Beason, Kim Potter with the U.S. Forest Service, biologist Breeding Site Carolyn Gunn and partners will continue Migration Path Western Tanager 1 research on Black Swifts in 2014, Western Tanager 2 Only 19 of 103 sparrows survived the winter. This Grasshopper including deploying more geolocators on Sparrow was one of the survivors, making it through the entire swifts outside Colorado, recovering swifts study season. Its transmitter was attached in November, replaced twice and finally removed in March. outfitted with geolocators in northern last summer and furthering a diet study and DNA analysis project.

2013 Annual Report | 4 Education Empowering People to Be Part of the Solution Last year, Rocky Mountain Bird Connecting Inspiring Youth Engaging New Observatory connected with 26,603 with Nature Summer Camps Audiences people through education and Homeschool Programs In 2013, RMBO launched Taking Flight, Outreach in Mexico a weeklong overnight camp for 12- to outreach. One of those people was RMBO’s homeschool programs take RMBO welcomed members of the local 14-year-olds in the Rockies. Campers Francis Commercon. A high school students and their families through Mennonite community in Chihuahua, enjoyed hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, the conservation continuum, from Mexico, into the field in 2013 to learn senior, Francis has volunteered making new friends and learning about observing and studying birds and about the birds in their backyard. at RMBO’s bird banding stations the major life zones and ecosystems nature to taking action through service With a large presence in the area, this of the Colorado mountains. Every since he was a grade-schooler. He learning. In 2013, along with lessons community was an important one to morning, they started the day birding also participates in HawkWatch. on migration, nests, prairies, raptors engage, so the day in the field was in each ecosystem and even enjoyed and more, students helped restore the very exciting. They visited with RMBO With college on the horizon, a night up late to search for owls. On prairie around RMBO’s Environmental biologists and helped release birds Francis plans to pursue a career the final evening, one camper said, “I Learning Center by removing invasive, back into the wild after chatting with gained an appreciation for all the little in biology thanks, in part, to these non-native plants. Educator Emily a reporter from “High Country News,” things in nature and their giant impact experiences with RMBO that have Snode said the enthusiasm for who wrote about the experience in the on the world around us.” spurred his passion for nature homeschool programs was “amazing” Sept. 2 issue of the news magazine last year. All programs were full. Taking Flight kicked off the 2013 camp (www.hcn.org/issues/45.15). and science. Francis is one of the season. In total, RMBO’s summer “We’re applying our model of using the many people RMBO camps gave 90 children the chance power of birds to raise awareness for to gain a deeper appreciation for is empowering to conservation and inspire environmental Colorado’s unique wildlife and habitats. be part of the stewardship in Mexico,” said Arvind solution for Panjabi, RMBO’s International Director. conservation.

A student digs up an invasive weed from the prairie around RMBO’s Environmental Learning Center. RMBO’s homeschool programs engage the entire family while addressing important education standards and incorporating service learning. Taking Flight campers and staff pose before a wall of snow off Trail Ridge Road in Rocky A farmer releases a Grasshopper Sparrow Mountain National Park. with the help of biologist Erin Strasser at a research site in Chihuahua, Mexico.

5 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory “Thank you for what you do for the birds, for us humans who love to watch and listen to them, and especially for the way you are investing in the future through educating children.” Empowering People to Be Part of the Solution Grandparent of Christmas Bird Count for Kids participant Great Blue Heron by Bill Schmoker

Banding Birds 2013 Highlights New Fort Collins Station RMBO and its partners operated In the spring, a Broad-tailed RMBO partnered with the Fort Collins two banding stations in the spring Hummingbird first banded in the fall Museum of Discovery to bring a bird in Colorado and seven in the fall in of 2010 near Fort Davis, Texas, was banding station to Fort Collins, Colorado and Nebraska in 2013. In recovered at the Chatfield State Park Colorado, in the fall. Despite flooding in addition, RMBO operated banding station in Colorado. Also in the spring, the area delaying its opening, the station stations for Northern Saw-whet Owls a Yellow-rumped Warbler first banded operated for several weeks a grouse’s in Nebraska, North Dakota and South in the fall of 2012 in Mackenzie, British flight from the RMBO office. Students Dakota. The stations served as outdoor Columbia, was recovered at the Chico and visitors stopped by the station, classrooms for studying bird migration Basin Ranch station in Colorado. located on the west side of the museum, and anatomy and enhancing the Eleven Northern Saw-whet Owls were to see wild birds in the hand and learn public’s appreciation of birds. recovered at stations in the Dakotas in about migration. The station is The highlights to the right show what the fall. One of the owls had first been scheduled to be open again in the RMBO is learning about migration banded in 2010 about 1,300 miles east spring and fall of 2014. routes and how birds connect us. Last on the shores of Lake Ontario. year was an unusual one along the Looking Ahead In the fall, records were set for number of Colorado with flooding, of birds banded with 1,696 individual > RMBO will continue to offer a and our banding stations captured the birds at Chico Basin Ranch in Colorado therapeutic program at assisted living waters’ impact on migrating birds. and 433 individual birds at Chadron facilities in the Denver area in 2014. State Park in Nebraska. In addition, the Called Bird Tales, the program brings first Dusky Flycatcher ever banded in the healing qualities of nature to people Nebraska was caught at Chadron State with dementia by encouraging them to Park in the fall. connect with birds through sight, sound and touch.

Biologist Jeff Birek holds a Wood Thrush > Next year, RMBO and its partners at the Fort Collins banding station. It was a will offer gardening workshops for pleasant surprise, as this species is typically educators and backyard gardeners in found in the eastern U.S. Nebraska. Topics include pollinators and native plants.

Keith Bagnall and Rheanna Fraser gather > RMBO is developing a technology- data on a Northern Saw-whet Owl banded focused curriculum to teach students not last fall at RMBO’s station in North Dakota. only about birds, but the technology used to track and map bird migration.

This Broad-tailed Hummingbird, first banded in the fall of 2010 in Texas, was recovered by RMBO at the Chatfield State Park banding station last spring.

2013 Annual Report | 6 Stewardship Starting the Conversation for Conservation Some of the best habitat for birds Working at a Falcon Conservation Loss of a Leader lies on private lands. That’s why, Local Level Last year, one of the few remaining In 2013, RMBO and the conservation back in 1996, Rocky Mountain Aplomado Falcons nesting in the Valles community of southeastern Colorado RMBO collaborates with partners in Centrales of Mexico drowned in lost a dear friend and partner. Rod Bird Observatory initiated its the U.S. and abroad to place private a water storage tank. To prevent this Johnson worked with RMBO, Colorado private lands program, forging lands wildlife biologists (PLWB) in tragedy from repeating itself, and to Parks and Wildlife and others in his relationships with landowners and communities across the Rockies, Great protect other birds and wildlife from the community of Eads to rehabilitate Plains and northern Mexico. These creating simple, common sense same fate, RMBO worked with ranchers Kiowa Creek Natural Area, a haven for individuals work with landowners, land to place wildlife escape ladders birds, other wildlife and people. Rod tools to foster stewardship on managers and resource professionals in uncovered tanks around known embodied the spirit of stewardship working lands. Today, it continues to build trust and foster proactive, Aplomado Falcon nesting and foraging toward the land and community that this program in the U.S. and has voluntary conservation efforts that areas. Also, RMBO biologists installed drives RMBO’s own programs. benefit people, birds, other wildlife exported its successful model nest platforms for falcons on ranches and the land. In 2013, RMBO added to offset the decline of soaptree yuccas, to Chihuahua, Mexico, where a second PLWB in Chihuahua City, this species’ preferred nesting habitat. ranchlands and associated Mexico, to increase capacity in an area grassland habitat are disappearing of need for wintering grassland birds. at an alarming rate. From Gillette, Wyoming, to Chihuahua, Mexico, RMBO is starting the conversation for conservation with private landowners. Stewardship Director Seth Gallagher and Rod Johnson survey a restoration project along Kiowa Creek in Eads, Colorado.

An Aplomado Falcon utilizes a nest platform erected by RMBO. This iconic grassland species is teetering on the brink of extirpation from Chihuahua, Mexico. 2013 by the Numbers 1,381 people reached through landowner visits, presentations, workshops, public events and restoration projects in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and Chihuahua, Mexico 294 visits with landowners 111,033 acres of prairie, shrublands and wetlands enhanced in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming 160,000 acres of grasslands enhanced in Chihuahua, Mexico $547,916 in Farm Bill funds and $336,896 in non-Farm Bill funds put toward improving wildlife habitat on private lands in the U.S.

7 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory “If we don’t have happy songbirds, we don’t have happy anything. That’s where it starts.”

Starting the Conversation for Conservation Brewer’s Sparrow Gary Visintainer, Visintainer Sheep Co., Craig, CO by José Hugo Martínez Guerrero

Aerial Surveys State of the Birds Landowner Profile In June, RMBO took to the skies over Published in July, the “State of the Weld County, Colorado, in search of Birds 2013” report drew attention to the Visintainer Sheep Co. degraded playa lakes. Playas have a important role of America’s farmers, “When songbirds flourish, everything noticeable footprint from the air, so ranchers and foresters as stewards else flourishes.” That’s the declaration aerial surveys are an efficient way to of bird habitat. As a leader in private of intent for Visintainer Sheep Co., a scout for playas in need of restoration. lands conservation, RMBO served as sheep and cattle ranch in northwest Eleven playas were identified for a key partner in writing and editing Colorado. Over the years, the ranch potential projects on private lands, with this landmark document. The report has shifted from production-based to playa restoration benefitting ranchers celebrates the many contributions forage-based management to support and birds. The flight was donated by landowners make to conservation, the economic viability of the ranch, as LightHawk. Also in 2013, LightHawk including the farmers who participate well as the long-term health of the donated flights to RMBO to survey in RMBO’s cooperative Mountain Plover range and the birds and other wildlife nesting activity of Ferruginous Hawks nest-marking program. that depend on it. Looking Ahead and Golden Eagles in Nebraska and possible Black Swift nesting sites in The Visintainers have worked with > In the spring of 2014, RMBO will southeast Wyoming. RMBO and partners on projects study the cost-effectiveness and to enhance the land, including durability of different types of markers reseeding lost sage-grouse habitat for preventing collisions of Greater and rangelands after a fire in 2010. An Sage-Grouse with fences. Markers exemplar of private lands conservation, help sage-grouse and other birds see the ranch was the recipient of the 2013 and avoid fences, reducing deaths for Leopold Conservation Award. species of conservation concern. > RMBO will host training workshops in Colorado, Montana For your copy, call 970-482-1707 ext. 30 and Wyoming with landowners and or visit www.stateofthebirds.org. resource professionals to support the conservation of sagebrush birds Biologist Noe Marymor and LightHawk pilot and habitat. Stephanie Wells pose before their flight. > In 2014, RMBO will continue to 2013 by the Numbers expand its private lands work in Mexico. 1,381 people reached through landowner visits, presentations, workshops, public events and restoration projects It has already added a third position in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and Chihuahua, Mexico in Chihuahua City in 2014 and will add a fourth position in Janos with the 294 visits with landowners Dean Visintainer and biologist Brandon Miller talk on the Visintainers’ ranch. support of partners. 111,033 acres of prairie, shrublands and wetlands enhanced in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming 160,000 acres of grasslands enhanced in Chihuahua, Mexico $547,916 in Farm Bill funds and $336,896 in non-Farm Bill funds put toward improving wildlife habitat on private lands in the U.S.

2013 Annual Report | 8 Engaging Citizens in Science

Monitoring Eastern Protecting DMNS Speaker Series 2013 Screech-Owls Mountain Plovers In 2013, RMBO and the Denver Museum of Volunteers Nature & Science (DMNS) collaborated to In March of 2013, RMBO launched a citizen Mountain Plovers breed on flat, bare ground Thank you to these bring avian experts to the museum to share science project to study the population on the shortgrass prairie. Agricultural citizen scientists, amazing photos, stories and research on dynamics and habitat needs of the common fields suit them just fine, as long as nests naturalists, bird grouse, crows and the origin of birds. More but little-understood Eastern Screech-Owl. are not accidentally tilled. To help farmers than 750 people attended the series to learn banders, board Volunteers collected data at random sites avoid unwittingly plowing over plover nests, the latest in bird science and conservation. members and other along the in Fort RMBO operates a nest-marking program in volunteers who Collins, Colorado, detecting 19 Eastern western Nebraska. In 2013, 79 landowners donated their time Screech-Owls at nine sites during the representing 212,000 acres took part in the and talents to help three-month study. Using the data, 41 program. With their help, 65 nests were breeding pairs were estimated across all 69 located and marked; 72% of those nests RMBO conserve birds possible sites along the river. Projects like produced young for a total of 115 Mountain and their habitats. this not only fulfill research objectives, but Plover chicks hatched. Also in 2013, RMBO Tom Abbott get citizens involved in science linked to partnered with the University of Colorado Peter Ampe conservation. In addition to the owl project, Denver to study the plovers’ habitat use. Arden Anderson RMBO coordinated Bald Eagle Watch, Sixteen plovers were radio-tagged and ColonyWatch and HawkWatch in 2013, along followed to discover where Mountain Plovers Mark Anderson with the 15th annual Barrow’s Goldeneye go to forage during their nesting cycle. Julia Auckland count in Colorado. Visit www.RMBO.org to Information from this study will help guide Wildlife photographer Noppadol Paothong Stacy Baker learn how to become a citizen scientist. management and conservation efforts. conducts a photo workshop during last year’s BBQ Dale Ball for the Birds, RMBO’s annual picnic, after speaking James Ball about grouse conservation at DMNS a few days earlier as part of the speaker series. Misi Ballard Karen Balog Jim Banks Ben Baumgartner Shelley Bayard de Volo Bill Bell Elizabeth Berkley Kathi Bledsoe Valerie Bliss Data gathered through the owl project will inform A Mountain Plover chick, no more than a week old, Steve Bloom conservation efforts along the Poudre River in 2014 ventures from its nest in a crop field in Nebraska. Mitchell Blystone to benefit Eastern Screech-Owls (pictured above), other wildlife and people. Georgie Bohlender Jennifer Bohn Ann Bond David Boyd

9 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 2013 Volunteers Marsh Wren by Ryan McDonald

Bob Bradley Karyn DeKramer David Gulbenkian Eric Lutomski Tom Parchman Nancy Stocker Denise Bretting Larry DeMers Fran Haas Kathanne Lynch Brad Parks Ernie Stone Linda Broeren Leah Dempsey Carrie Harrod Marcie Maccaux Todd Patrick Tiffani Stout Glenda Brown Tom Dennehy Alison Hazel Cynthia Madsen Regine Paul Wendy Sydow Volunteer Profile Jill Brown Andrew Devlin Mike Henwood Marcia Maeda Bill Prather Joyce Takamine Time for What He’s Steve Brown Coen Dexter Mindy Hetrick Joe Mammoser Elizabeth Prevatte D. Jean Tate Always Wanted to Do Lori Brummer Ariana Dickson Dave Hill Anna Mangan Dave Price Warren Taylor Mary Cay Burger Christy Dowling Jill Holden Edna Mason Scott Rashid Jim Thompson Peter Burke Georgia Doyle Charmaine Holloway Charles Mathis Jennie Ratico Leon Thurmon Will Burt Rachel Dunbar Ed Holub Gary Mattes Nicole Reese Sharon Tinianow Katey Buster Alice Dunick Charles Hopton Kylie Mattes Rob Reilly Geoff Tischbein Nicole Buyck Ken Ecton Barbara Hughes Veronica Mattes Peter Robinson Jackson Trappett Jay Carlisle Bill Eden Chuck Hundertmark Steve Matthews Andrea Robinsong Chris Tremilling George Mayfield Casey Carter Rosemary Engard Diane Hutton Glenn Rodriguez Tyler Tretten Dale Jones volunteers as a Amber Carver Lee Farese Sherri Huwer Kay McConnell Joe Roller Amber Tyler naturalist and citizen scientist. Jim Carver Lee Farrell Jennifer Hyypio Tom McConnell Pam Roth Claude Vallieres As a naturalist, Dale assists with Joel Chapa Linda Farrell Adam Jack May McCoy Roger Rouch Ron Van Ommeren education programs, having David Charles Jack Ferguson Heather Jackson Anabel Medina Hernández Nina Routh Lois Vanek personally interacted with more than 4,000 kids and adults on Carolyn Clawson Paula Fischer Cyndy Johnson Cara Meinke Chris Rurik Linda Vidal behalf of RMBO. Dale retired Jennifer Clay Dave Fletcher Carolyn Jones Karen Metz Tom Ryon Colin Wait in 2005 after a long career with Carol Cochran Bill Flowers Dale Jones Aran Meyer Bill Schmoker Sean Walters the Army and Department of Francis Commercon Nelson Ford LeAnn Joswick Lucinda Miller Jim Schmoker David Waltman Defense, “and now that I’m Joyce Commercon Kate Frost Mary Keithler Megan Miller John Shenot Ed Warner retired, I’ve finally got time to do what I’ve always wanted to Jim Compton Nelda Gamble Joey Kellner Rich Miller Mike Sherman Tiffany Watts do,” he said. Along with sharing Pat Conner Jim Gano Alice Kenitz Robert Miller Debra Sherrill Ellyn Weaver his knowledge of nature, Dale Jeff Connor Héctor García Barrón Mary Kiesling Steve Mlodinow Janet Shin Katie Weeks monitors the Bald Eagle nest at Meg Cooper Mary Geder Michael Kiessig Larry Modesitt Mariana Silva Piña Bob Whitmore Barr Lake through Bald Eagle Susan Craig Janet George Steve King Sue Mozian Paul Slingsby Melissa Wolfe Watch. As a kid growing up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, he never Mike Crosby Louise Glaser Mac Kobza Elizabeth Munson Tim Smart Ronda Woodward saw a Bald Eagle in the wild. Eileen Cunningham Ren Gobris Nick Komar Duane Nelson Jabus Smith Ashley Worth “Being able to see one in the Charlie Curlee Liz Goehring Erik Larsen Suzanne Neuman Meredith Smith Brenda Wright wild on a regular basis is an Clem Dabrowski Kathy Goering Dave Leatherman Christian Nunes Sarah Smith Judie Wright overwhelming joy for me,” he Bill Day Mackenzie Goldthwait Norm Lewis Ric Olson Gregg Somermeyer Bill Wuerthele said. In 2013, Dale received the Cheryl Day Sara Gremel Tom Litteral Jesús Ordaz Morales Nancy Spangler Larry Zanatell Nelda Gamble Volunteer Award, given annually to the most Diane Luck Eric DeFonso Grady Grissom Greg Owsley Dan Staley Ben Zank outstanding volunteer at RMBO. Steve Deitemeyer Bryan Guarente Forrest Luke Ken Pals Harriet Stephens Kathy Zlomke

2013 Annual Report | 10 2013 Members and Donors

Thank you to the following people and Carole Cotham-Machala Peggy Gallagher Sally Isaacson Kacie Miller Christopher Rustay organizations for supporting Rocky Mountain Edward Crane Gallagher / Gills Family Anne & Clifford James Randy & Nancy Morgan Francoise S. Bird Observatory and its mission to conserve Natasha Crowe John & Nelda Gamble Tom Johnson Robert Moston Diane Sadler birds and their habitats. Basic one-year Doris Cruze Mary Geder Carolyn & John Jones Mark Niemeyer Peggy Salzer memberships are $35 for individuals and $60 Barbara Cummings Peter Gent Dale Jones Kevin Notheis Judith Sanborn for families. RMBO welcomes and appreciates Jerry Davidson Luke George & Carol Ann Janet Justice-Waddington A Novel’s Story Bookshop Lani Sargent Moorhead and Fine Tea Empourium: contributions in any amount. Please visit Jane Davis Karval Community Alliance Richard & Rhonda Buzz Schaumberg Galen Gibson www.RMBO.org or call 970-482-1707 ext. 30 Paul & Marilyn Davis Kevin Keirn McCutcheon Judy Scheig Jane Goff for information. Madeline Day Mary Keithler Christie Owens Karleen Schofield Lesley Golub Denver Field Ornithologists Douglas Kibbe Chris Pague Julie & John Schroeder Peggy Gonder Bonnie Adamson Boulder Bird Club Coen Dexter & Brenda Michael Kiessig Arvind & Susan Panjabi Kevin & Lynn Schutz Wright Gregg Goodrich American Birding Fernando Boza Chas & Janet Killick Manohar Panjabi Carol Seemueller Association Eileen & Brian Dey Jeff & Liz Gordon Mike & Mimi Brady Nyla Kladder Nancy Parker & James Keith & Barbara Shader Mark Amershek Martha & Donald Dick Gary Grabowski Renga Denise Bretting Elena Klaver Elizabeth Jean & David Catherine Anderson David & Elizabeth Dillman Sara Gremel Dr. & Mrs. Robert Parker Sharer Stephen Broich Anna Klemme Jane Anderson Ferd Dirckx Grady Grissom & Family Jean & Teddy Parker-Renga Alice Sharp Kerry Brookman Jill Knaak Keith Anderson Sharon Dooley Mike & Ann Groshek David & Jo Anne Parkes Betsy Shaw Philippe & Alice Bucher Katie & Jeff Koch Mario & Meredith Anderson Christy Dowling Mace Hack Greg Pavelka Janet & Jerry Shin Karel Buckley Alison Kondler Linda -Georges Georgia Doyle JoAnn Hackos Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. Arthur Smith Mary Cay Burger Hod Kosman Anonymous (21) Kathleen Doyle Deborah Hahn Gregory & Frances Jean Smith Wilford Burt Kipp Kramer Penkowsky Sandra & Tore Arnesen Dave & Mary Driscoll Joanne Haller Emily Snode & Adam Jonathan Byrne Elizabeth Kreider Susan Perry Brenneman Margaret & Vincent Arp Bruce Ducker Joanne Harnit Cynthia Cain Peter Kummerfeldt Andrew Pierson Steven Snyder Jane Axtell Jim Duggan Susan Harris Lynne & Gary Caletti Ron & Ann Lambeth Sally Plummer Rita Sommers Van & Sheila Baker Terrence Dunn Carrie Harrod Robert Camp Robert Lang Duane & Mary Pool Frances Sperl Marda Barthuli Chris Eberly Reid Hayhow Art Campfield Kitty LeDonne David & Grace Potter Howard & Anne Spery Tom & Jeanne Baur Debra Eberts Alison Hazel Minerva Canavan David & Betty Levad Dick Pratt Jeff Stephenson Jim Beatty Tyler Edmondson Norma Heinz Kathleen & David Carr Lois Levinson Joseph Prentice Leslie Stewart-Phelps Robert Beck Annikki Elkind Pat Heller Maggie Carter Ross Lock Stephen & Suzy Price Robert & Nancy Stocker Carol Beidleman David Elwonger & Diane Mike Henwood Mike Carter Luck Thomas Lundgren Elaine Probasco Carl & Cherry Stogsdill Richard Beidleman Steve Herbener Cecil Electronic Systems: Fred & Tena Engelman Gary & Cherie Macdonald Laura Quattrini Tiffani Stout Tim & Jackie Bennett Chris Cecil Mindy Hetrick Fran Enright Marcia Maeda Tomas Radcliffe Thomas Streiffert Ben Berlinger Bobbi Cipriano & Lu Robert Hill Callahan John Falker Debra Dreese Mallory Toni Rautus Jeff Stroup Arthur “Bez” Bezuidenhout Ann & Wilmer Hines Patricia & Boyd Clark Lee & Linda Farrell Scott & Celia Manley Bayard Rea Terry Stuart Adam Birek Doug & Jan Hodous Carol Cochran Fiesta Time Inc. Patricia May James Reisert Margaret Stuvel Jeff Birek Barbara Holme Victoria Collier Warren Finch Michael McAteer Marilyn Rhodes Kathleen Sullivan Black Canyon Audubon Mevin & Gina Hooten Society Jennifer Collins Paula Fischer & Billy Kev McCartney Terry Rich Mark Sutherland Helmich Barbara Hughes Scott & Carol Blackard Colorado Field Ornithologists Martha McCauley Jodie Riesenberger Dean Swift David & Margaret Fletcher Chuck Hundertmark & Valerie Bliss James Commers Marjorie Jannotta Bob McCready Irene Rivas Martha-Ann Sylvester Kate Frost Rachel Bock Terry Cookro Diane Hutton MaryKate & Tim McCutcheon John Rogers Joyce Takamine Ed Furlong Ann Bonnell Haultain Corbett Inglenook at Brighton Lynn Merrill Ellen Rosenberg D. Jean Tate

11 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Loggerhead Shrike by Erin Strasser

Warren Taylor Friends of RMBO Wild Birds Unlimited - Friends of RMBO Hugh Ashley Thompson Denver/Arvada: Scott & attend special $10,000 and up Sandy Menough, David & Friend Profile Russ Thompson Kathy Menough events and tours, Jennifer Thornton-Kolbe The Dellora A. & Lester J. New Supporters Search for Swifts Norris Foundation: Pam Wild Birds Unlimited - Fort spend time in the Candace Tomlinson Norris Collins: Lauren DeRosa field with RMBO Helen Traylor The Morgridge Family James & Marilyn Wilson biologists and Foundation: John & Carrie Tuesday Birders enjoy other unique Morgridge $500 - $999 opportunities. To Harold & Debbie Tyber The Warner Family Ute Creek Cattle Company: Charitable Fund: Ed Warner Betty Ambler become a Friend, & Jackie Erickson Tuda Libby & Jack Crews Jim & Jill Anderson call 970-482-1707 Jean Van Loan Avogadro’s Number ext. 16. $5,000 - $9,999 Linda Vidal Dennis & Barbara Baldwin Peggy Wait Larry Modesitt Chuck & Nancy Bell Sheila Walker Mortimer Charitable Trust: Johanna Billmyer & Louis Carley Warren Catherine Symchych & Moore Steven Symchych Nancy Warren Colorado Parks and Wildlife Pam Norris Tiffany Watts Confluent Design: Kevin Lyles Tracy Webb $1,000 - $4,999 Jan Fargo & Jim Wallace Dave Weber Tom & Isabel Abbott James Fortune Matthew Fraker and Sherri Thornton are new Friends of Rocky Mountain Manly Weidman Mike & Steve Bloom Front Range Birding Bird Observatory. They live in Illinois and joined RMBO to support Norma Welchel Company: Tom Bush David Charles, M.D. Black Swift research. Matthew’s dedication, however, went beyond just Tjitra Widjaja Mackenzie Goldthwait Kevin E. Corwin philanthropy in 2013. He joined expeditions in an attempt to discover Wildland Resources Tina Jones Jack & Leslie Ferguson the first Black Swift nesting site in Wyoming, trudging up canyons in the James & Carrie Wilkins Yvonne & James Kullberg Matthew Fraker & Sherri Wind River and Teton ranges to inspect behind waterfalls for nests. No Lynn Willcockson Thornton Kathanne J. Lynch & Beth nests were found during the 2013 surveys, but that won’t deter him from Madden Lisa & Paul Williams Francis Haas, Jr. continuing to search for this “mystical bird” in Wyoming and supporting Pamela & Larry Meier Amie Wilsey Hugh & Urling Kingery RMBO. Matthew said we, as humans, have a responsibility to keep Melinda Quiat Dawn Wilson Bryan Lorber ecosystems as healthy as possible and conserve the birds that serve as Andrea Robinsong Michael-Phillip Wilson & Meredith McBurney important indicators of ecological health. There’s also so much left to Barb Nabors Jim & Karen Schmoker MDC/Richmond American learn about Black Swifts, he said. “That bird is so remarkable. Just like Deb Wingfield Homes Foundation: David George & Julie Secor Rocky Mountain Bird Amy Winter Mandarich Rich Levad noted in his book, it really is ‘the coolest bird.’” Christine Sibona Observatory makes every One Tribe Creative Howard Winter Randy Siebert & Glenda effort to maintain accurate Donald & Eleanor Wolf Thomas Parchman Brown and up-to-date records. Melanie Woolever Robert Righter Jim Sturrock If you were a member or Bill & Suzanne Wuerthele Joe Roller, M.D. United Power: Robert donor in 2013 and your Please consider Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory in your estate Broderick, Troy Whitmore & name does not appear on planning. For assistance, contact Executive Director Tammy Julie Yanney Paul & Bea Slingsby Heidi Storz this list, please accept our VerCauteren at 970-482-1707 ext. 16 for you to make a lasting Ellen Zachary Judith Spiegel & Larry The Warner Ranch apologies and let us know Wysocki Ellen Zweibel by emailing teddy.parker- contribution to bird and habitat conservation. Tammy & Kurt VerCauteren [email protected] or calling Jack & Joan Whiting 970-482-1707 ext. 30.

2013 Annual Report | 12 Financials

Chico Basin Ranch Denver Botanic Gardens Rocky Mountain 2013 Partners Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Denver Field Ornithologists Regional Alliance Bird Observatory & Funders Denver Museum of Nature & CIPAMEX Science Financial Summary FY 2013 Adams County Open Space Citizens of the Scientific & Cultural Denver Zoo Agro Cultura Empresarial, S.A. Facilities District (Unaudited) Desert Landscape Conservation de C.V. City of Brighton Forestry Cooperative American Bird Conservancy City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Desert Southwest Cooperative Revenues American Birding Association Program Ecosystem Study Unit Contributions & Memberships $179,282 Animas Watershed Partnership City of Fort Collins Utilities Dixon Water Foundation Department Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Dolores Conservation District SCFD Grant $214,772 Colorado Alliance for Ducks Unlimited Contracts & Grants $3,496,107 Arizona Game and Fish Environmental Education 2013 Revenues 2013 Revenues $3,915,921 Department Eagle Optics Colorado Association of Other $25,760 2012 Revenues $3,908,797 Association of Fish & Wildlife Conservation Districts EDM International, Inc. Agencies Total Revenues $3,915,921 Colorado Cattlemens Agricultural Environment for the Audubon Center at Bent of the Land Trust River Farm Service Agency Colorado Chapter of The Wildlife Expenses Audubon Nebraska Society Finnders & Youngberg Audubon Rockies For The Birds Program $3,371,616 Colorado Dept. of Agriculture Audubon Society of Greater Denver Colorado Dept. of Natural Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Administration $471,328 Avian Knowledge Network Resources Friends of Barr Lake Development $59,217 Avian Science Center Colorado Field Ornithologists Friends of Dinosaur Ridge Avogadro’s Number Colorado Natural Heritage Funkwerks Total Expenses $3,902,161 Program Baca County Conservation District Gates Family Foundation Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Grand Valley Audubon Society Change in Net Assets $13,760 Bird Studies Canada Colorado Parks and Wildlife Bird Observatory Birds & Beans LLC Colorado Cooperative Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative Bismarck State College Ecosystem Study Unit Colorado State Forest Service Landscape Black Canyon Audubon Society Conservation Cooperative Colorado State Land Board Boy Scouts of America Greg Miller Birding Colorado State University Brighton Chamber of Commerce Guidestone Brighton Legacy Foundation Colorado State University This summary financial information has not been Extension Gunnison Conservation District Butterfly Pavilion audited. Please visit www.RMBO.org after May 31, 2014, Commission for Environmental Habitat Seven for the audited financial statements including all Campbell County Conservation Cooperation Highlands Presbyterian Camp and District note disclosures. CONABIO Retreat Center Canadian Wildlife Service CONAFOR IMC - Vida Silvestre Canyons & Plains of Southeast Intermountain Bird Observatory Colorado CONANP Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Intermountain West Joint Venture Chadron State Park Confluent Design is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Jefferson Conservation District Chama Peak Land Alliance ConocoPhillips Jefferson County Open Space Chatfield State Park Cornell Lab of Ornithology Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation Josh Cellars

13 | Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Western Meadowlark 2013 Partners and Funders by Cree Bol

Karval Community Alliance North American Bird Conservation South Platte Natural Resources Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Initiative District León Kimball Banner County Chamber of Commerce North Dakota Game and Fish South Pueblo County Conservation Universidad de Guadalajara Department District Kimball County Conservation Universidad Estatal de Sonora Collaborative North Platte Natural Resources Southern Rockies Landscape Universidad Juárez del Estado de District Conservation Cooperative Kiowa County Economic Durango Development Foundation Northern Great Plains Joint Southwest Conservation Corps Venture University of Colorado Denver Klamath Bird Observatory Stewart Architecture Odell Brewing Co. University of Montana La Plata Conservation District Glen Tepke Partner-Funder Profile Palmer Land Trust USDA Agricultural Research La Plata County Open Space Texas Parks & Wildlife Service Noppadol Paothong National Foundation Supports Land Trust of the Upper The Nature Conservancy USDA NRCS Lesser Prairie Arkansas Partners for Conservation Chicken Initiative Diversity of Programs The Nature Conservancy - Mexico Larimer County Natural Partners In Flight USDA NRCS Sage Grouse Initiative Resources The Tamarisk Coalition Pheasants Forever USGS Bird Banding Laboratory Legacy Land Trust The Wildlife Experience Playa Lakes Joint Venture Dept. of Natural Resources LightHawk Three Rivers Alliance Point Blue Conservation Science Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Medora Foundation Tierra de Aves, A.C. State University Prairies and Wetlands Focus Area Missouri Dept. of Conservation Toyota TogetherGreen Warren Resources, Inc. Profauna Chihuahua Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Trout Unlimited Western Association of Fish and Pronatura Noreste Wildlife Agencies Montezuma Land Conservancy Turkey Creek Conservation District Pronatura Sur Western Native Trout Initiative Mountain Studies Institute Tutuaca Mountain School The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Prowers Conservation District Wild Birds Unlimited Mule Deer Foundation U.S. Bureau of Land Management Rainwater Basin Joint Venture sustains, restores and enhances the nation’s fish, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Western Wild Wings Environmental National Association for Education wildlife, plants and habitat. One of the world’s largest Interpretation Ranchlands Learning and Science SARE Center conservation grant-makers, NFWF has funded RMBO U.S. Dept. of Defense: Camp Wildcat Hills Audubon Society National Audubon Society programs for the past two decades due, in part, to REI Guernsey Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area National Ecological Observatory RMBO’s leadership, expertise and outcome-based, Network U.S. Dept. of Defense: Partners Wildlands Restoration Volunteers in Flight scientific approach to conservation. Today, NFWF National Fish and Wildlife Rio Grande Joint Venture Wolverine Farm Publishing Co. & U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Foundation Riverside Zoo Bookstore supports a range of RMBO programs to enhance U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: National Forest Foundation Rocky Mountain Conservancy World Wildlife Fund and restore habitat for grouse, grassland birds and National Fish Passage Program National Park Service Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wyoming Association of other wildlife and put biologists on the ground in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Conservation Districts communities in Colorado and Chihuahua, Mexico. We Natural Resources San Juan Conservation District Program Conservation Service Wyoming Bird Habitat are grateful for NFWF’s support in helping us reverse Sand County Foundation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Conservation Partnership Nebraska Bird Partnership Neotropical Migratory Bird the decline of threatened species and build local Sandhills Task Force Conservation Act Wyoming Game & Fish capacity for conservation. Nebraska Educational Service Department Unit 13 Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Conservation District Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Wyoming Natural Diversity Nebraska Environmental Trust Bill Schmoker Region 6 Database Nebraska Forest Service Scientific and Cultural U.S. Forest Service Xerces Society Nebraska Game and Parks Collaborative U.S. Forest Service International Yuma County Pest Control District Commission Programs Sky Islands Bird Observatory Zen-Ray Optics New Belgium Brewing Co. Sonoran Joint Venture United Power Nikon, Inc. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Universidad Autónoma de Department Chihuahua

2013 Annual Report | 14 Selected Photo Credits

Front Cover: Lesser Prairie-Chicken by Noppadol Paothong, an award-winning photographer and RMBO speaker and workshop leader. RMBO and its partners are working with landowners to conserve this iconic, imperiled species through population monitoring and habitat enhancement programs. Photo used with permission from “Save the Last Dance: A Story of North American Grassland Grouse”. www.savethelastdancebook.com; www.nopnatureimages.com

Pages 1-2: Mountains by Reba Riedner; Staff and Board with Greg Miller by Michelle Seubert; Larry Modesitt and Tammy VerCauteren by Greg Levandoski; Jim Duggan by Chuck Hundertmark 14500 Lark Bunting Lane Brighton, CO 80603 Pages 3-4: Grasslands by Erin Strasser; Flame-colored Tanager by Ángeles González (303) 659-4348 Martínez; Osprey by Nancy Gobris; Grasshopper Sparrow by Erin Strasser rmbo.org Pages 5-6: Wetlands by Colin Lee; Homeschool by Emily Snode; Camp by Tyler Edmondson; Farmer by Sujata Gupta; Banders by Sandy Johnson; Broad-tailed Hummingbird by Jordan Spalding; Wood Thrush by Greg Levandoski

Pages 7-8: Sagebrush by Teddy Parker-Renga; Aplomado Falcon by Roberto Rodríguez; Rod Johnson by Laura Quattrini; LightHawk by Seth Gallagher; Landowner Profile by Seth Gallagher

Pages 9-10: Marsh - RMBO File Photo; Eastern Screech-Owl by Rob Sparks; Mountain Plover by Colin Woolley; DMNS Speaker Series by Steve Bloom

Pages 11-12: Shrublands by Adam Carman

Pages 13-14: Prairie by Denis Perez; Burrowing Owls by Robert Martinez

Back Cover: Desert by Galen Reid; Pyrrhuloxia by Bill Schmoker

Printed with vegetable-based inks and on 30% post-consumer waste recycled paper.