Welcome to the American Ornithological Society 2018 Annual Conference. We are pleased to have you join us at the lovely Hilton El Conquistador Resort in Tucson, AZ.
The forested landscape of the northeast US provides breeding habitat for some of the greatest number of bird species in the country. Many are listed as priority species by Partners in Flight, National Audubon Society, and others. In Vermont 80\% of the state's 4.46 million acres of forestland is controlled by private landowners. With nature protection listed in the top three reasons for ownership, private landowners are key to successful forest bird conservation in the region. In 2006 Audubon Vermont developed its Forest Bird Initiative program to engage landowners, foresters, and other land managers in understanding the importance of the region's forestland to bird conservation and promote forest management that creates or enhances habitat for priority species. The national award winning Foresters for the Birds project was developed in partnership with the VT Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation in 2008 providing foresters with tools and resources to integrate timber and habitat on lands they manage. More recently a market-based approach to bird conservation, the Bird-Friendly Maple Project, has been developed in partnership with the State of Vermont and the Vermont Maple Sugar Maker's Association. To date these innovative programs, projects, and partnerships have led to engagement of over 100 foresters, direct technical assistance to nearly 500 landowners and maple syrup producers, and improved management for priority bird species on over 290,000 acres of forestland.
