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Black-and-white Warbler. Credit: Scott Martin <\/p>\n The Forestry for Rhode Island Birds<\/em> project addresses threatened forest bird populations by educating landowners and natural resources professionals on the benefits of managing their land for forest-dependent bird species. This program began in Vermont, and the Rhode Island Woodland Partnership has adapted it for Rhode Island. The Rhode Island program included:<\/p>\n Through this project, we identified 12 bird species \u2013 referred to in these guides as the Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen<\/em> or \u201cpriority bird species\u201d \u2013 that are emblematic of the conservation needs of forest birds in Rhode Island. The guides present silvicultural activities to enhance the habitat types of forest-dependent bird species, with a focus on the Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen.<\/p>\n The Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen is made up of twelve forest birds that represent priority habitat types of conservation need in Rhode Island and were selected by the Rhode Island Woodland Partnership with the assistance of ornithologists from the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Bird Atlas 2.0, the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and in consultation with the 2015 Rhode Island Wildlife Action Plan and data collected from neighboring New England states.<\/p>\n These twelve species in the Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen <\/em>were selected because they:<\/p>\n We produced two guides, which can be downloaded by clicking the links below:<\/p>\n The original series of workshops about forestry for RI birds has now concluded, but contact us to inquire about possible future workshops.<\/p>\n Forest management techniques to support bird populations are being demonstrated at three sites in Rhode Island in partnership with Audubon Rhode Island. The Forestry for Rhode Island Birds program has partnered with the Norman Bird Sanctuary, the RI Forest Conservators Organization (RIFCO), and a private landowner to create these demonstration sites.<\/p>\n The Norman Bird Sanctuary is open to the public. View their hours, address, and programs on their website at: https:\/\/www.normanbirdsanctuary.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Learn more about RIFCO\u2019s programs on their website here: http:\/\/www.rifco.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n The woods of Rhode Island provide breeding habitat to dozens of threatened bird species. This is indicative of larger ecosystem problems, driven in part by habitat fragmentation and loss that impact bird breeding grounds, stopover habitats used during migration, and wintering habitat. Rhode Island is currently more than 55 percent forested, with the majority of woods owned by private landowners, but Rhode Island\u2019s forests are becoming increasingly fragmented due to urbanization. In the last five years, silvicultural practices focused on creating early successional habitats have been implemented in Rhode Island to support wildlife. While these management strategies are beneficial to certain wildlife species, they are not sufficient to support many forest-dependent birds that require larger tracts of mature forest or forest interior to thrive. Many of these bird populations are declining.<\/p>\n The Forestry for Rhode Island Birds<\/em> project addresses threatened forest bird populations by educating landowners and natural resources professionals on the benefits of managing their land for forest-dependent bird species. The Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen are emblematic bird species that residents can protect for the benefit of forest ecosystems and a wide range of other species.<\/p>\n Read more in Forestry for Rhode Island Birds: A Guide for Foresters and Landowners to Manage Woodlots \u201cWith Birds in Mind\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Read <\/strong>the Guides<\/strong>. The Forestry for Rhode Island Birds Guide<\/a> can help you understand why managing for forest bird habitat is so important and which forestry techniques can support bird populations. You can learn the Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen with the help of the Pocket Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rhodeislandwoods\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2078\/RIWP_Logo-300x224.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/em><\/p>\nA Project of the Rhode Island Woodland Partnership<\/em><\/h2>\n
Program Overview<\/h2>\n
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The Rhode Island Birder\u2019s Dozen<\/h2>\n
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The Rhode Island Birders\u2019 Dozen. Credit: Judee Burr<\/em><\/p>\nThe Guides<\/h2>\n
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Workshops<\/h2>\n
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Demonstration Sites<\/h2>\n
Why Manage for Bird Populations?<\/h2>\n
How to Get Involved<\/h2>\n
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