Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative

We are delighted to be honored by the Ohio State University as a Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship. Also recognized at the university level were the Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, A Day in the Woods (Southeast Ohio Woods), and the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program - all efforts that we've collaborated with over the years!

The Ohio Division of Wildlife just published a new guide for landowners about managing grassland habitats for birds! We were happy to help create this guide, and you can download it now from our website:

https://obcinet.org/2026/03/18/new-guide-on-managing-grasslands-available-for-landowners/

SAVE the DATES for the 2026 A DAY in the WOODS Workshop Series!
For more information please visit: https://go.osu.edu/aditw2026

April 24th – Birds of the Forest @ Vinton Furnace State Forest. Special Start Time: 8:00 am.

May 8th – Shrubs, Bugs, Wildflower, & Fungi ID @ Vinton Furnace State Forest.

June 12th – Forest Soils: From Trees to Trails @ Zaleski ODNR Complex.

July 10th – Prescribed Fire in Ohio: History and Ecology @ Meigs Conservation Area

July 24th – Tree Identification @ Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp

August 14th – Woodland Pollinators @ Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp

August 28th – Shrub Identification @ Rio Grande University

September 11th – Diagnosing Forest Insects & Diseases @ Hocking State Forest

October 9th – Wildlife Habitat Creation @ Vinton Furnace State Forest

November 13th – Wildlife Management: From Bobcats to Wild Turkeys @ Vinton Furnace State Forest

Spring migration is just around the corner, and that means our Ohio Lights Out programs across the state are preparing for another survey season!

An estimated 1 billion birds die each year in the United States due to window collisions and Lights Out programs work to better understand and reduce these impacts. During migration, volunteers conduct early morning standardized surveys in urban areas to document bird-window collisions. Data from these surveys allow us to assess collision patterns and inform strategies to reduce collisions, including bird-safe glass and responsible lighting practices.

These collaborative programs are supported by a statewide network of partners and community volunteers committed to reducing collision mortality.

If you are interested in contributing to bird conservation and volunteering with one of our Lights Out programs, we encourage you to sign up or help us share this with others who may be interested. Help us make Ohio safer for migratory birds!

Opportunities are available in:

Akron – For more information and to sign-up for spring surveys, please email Christina Mlinaric at [email protected]

Columbus – Please fill out this form if you are interested https://forms.gle/uFcMsw4oTin4PHSv5 or email Devin Mingesbruney at [email protected] for more information

Volunteer training is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd from 5:30-7:00pm at Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Cleveland – Please apply to volunteer through Cleveland Metroparks at https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/about/volunteer/ongoing-volunteers

Volunteer training is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center

Lorain County – For more information and to sign-up for spring surveys, please email [email protected]

Toledo – Please sign-up to volunteer through Metroparks Toledo www.metroparkstoledo.com/volunteer or email Meredith Busic at [email protected] for more information

Additional opportunities for students exist at several University and College campuses – please email [email protected] for more information

OBS is excited to host the next Ohio Natural History Conference to honor Ohio’s Legacy - Celebrating our Cultural, Geological and Natural History. Join us Saturday, February 28th 2026 at Mohican Lodge & Conference Center. We have a great lineup of speakers, poster presenters and an afternoon field trip on Feb 27th to hear about forest and fire management and old growth preservation. Register here: https://www.ohiobiologicalsurvey.org/conferences/ohios-legacy-celebrating-our-cultural-geological-and-natural-history/

Registration closes today at noon for the Ohio Avian Research Conference. Don't miss it!

Just two days left to register for the Ohio Avian Research Conference! We have a great lineup of speakers. Registration closes on Thursday 11/13 at noon. Sign up today:

National Audubon Society

The Grange Insurance Audubon Center's new AmeriCorps member, Cierra Clark, got to release a rehabilitated bird rescued from the Lights Out Columbus Program yesterday! GUESS in the comments below what bird you think was released!! Learn more about the Lights Out Program and how to protect our birds here https://ohiolightsout.org/participate/monitoring/ #lightsoutcolumbus #birds #wildliferehabilitation #audubon #fallmigration

Abstract submission for oral and poster presentations for the Ohio Avian Research Conference closes this Friday October 24th at 5pm! We want to hear all about the great work in avian conservation and research that you are doing: https://forms.gle/XwLqM9usALcbecKE9

Join us for our next Zoom into Nature as we dive into the interesting and amazing world of Vultures! Next Tuesday, October 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, we are excited to welcome Judy Semroc, Field Biologist and Naturalist, for her presentation, "Voracious Vultures: From Carrion to Conservation."

Register for this free virtual event now: https://wrlandconservancy.org/event/zoom-into-nature-vultures/