Conservation

As humans continually interact with the environment, we must evaluate how we consume, utilize and impact resources, and the communities and people which are instrumental to the sustainability and vitality of our world.

Through conservation efforts we can create solutions, influence decisions, and act to protect and preserve ecological habitats and species. To make this happen we engage in outreach and education, partnerships and policy review, and community science and research to achieve our mission.

Areas of Concern

Juneau Area

Second Crossing
- The Second Crossing and Southeast Alaska’s Mendenhall Wetlands Important Bird Area.
- https://www.jdnorthcrossing.com/
Mendenhall Glacier Master Plan
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd611378.pdf

Bird Research

Arctic Tern

Considered a conservation priority in the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, the Arctic Tern, a graceful and fast-flying bird, migrates to Southeast Alaska to nest and rear its young. The Juneau Audubon Society works alongside the US Forest Service on an Arctic Tern Nesting Success Project to monitor the birds within the colony near the Mendenhall Glacier in the Tongass National Forest. Signage has also been placed on sensitive nesting areas on Portland Island, Juneau Channel Islands State Marine Park.

Rufous Hummingbird

Since 2013, Juneau Audubon Society has assisted with the Tongass Hummingbird Project which bands and gathers data on the Rufous Hummingbird. The hummingbird has suffered extensive declines throughout its range. Through banding we hope to learn more about its demographics in the far north.

Tree Swallow

With over 60 nesting boxes located around Juneau, the Tree Swallow Nesting Box Project gathers data regarding brood timing and success, and imparts that information to the Alaska Swallow Monitoring Network. The project originated in 2005 with the US Fish and Wildlife Service then, in 2015, the Juneau Audubon Society received a grant to build more boxes and has kept the project going ever since.

The bird research projects are managed by Juneau Audubon Society volunteers each spring and summer.

Habitat Restoration

Without clean, productive, and protected environments, species may have limited success for survival. Partnering with Litter Free, Inc. of Juneau for the annual community-wide cleanup, Juneau Audubon Society supports conservation efforts to improve and maintain critical habitats. For more information: https://litterfree.org/juneau-community-cleanup/

Partnerships

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Window Deterrents at the University of Alaska Southeast

Did you know that window collisions are one of the leading human causes of bird mortality? Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds, has produced a pamphlet Why Birds Hit Windows and How You Can Prevent It that offers concerned citizens ways to mitigate the problem.

Juneau Audubon Society has partnered with the University of Alaska Southeast to reduce the danger of bird collisions by applying a dot pattern tape to some of their library and hall windows.(2022-2023)

Bird Interpretive Signs in conjunction with The City and Borough of Juneau and the Marie Drake Planetarium

Bird migration and the night sky often go hand in hand. To learn more about the planets and common birds of the area, we have partnered with the local planetarium and municipality to create interpretative signs along Twin Lakes in Juneau. (2022-2024)

The City of Hoonah’s Pigeon Guillemot and Bald Eagle Interpretive Signs

When arriving into the Southeast Alaska community of Hoonah via ferry, take note of the beautiful interpretive signs along the harbor. Designed by a local artist and financially supported and crafted by Icy Straits Birding Tours and Juneau Audubon Society, the signs offer identification tips and the natural history of Pigeon Guillemots and Bald Eagles. (2020-2022)

Southeast Alaska Land Trust (SEAL Trust) and Tree Swallows

Juneau Audubon Society graciously utilizes the SEAL Trust land located in the Sunny Point area of Juneau to house 20 or more Tree Swallow nesting boxes. The partnership allows us to increase our network and educate the community about the plight of aerial insectivores such as swallows and what can be done to help the species. (2018 and beyond)