Saving Minnesota Birds Starts with Safer Buildings
Published by Minnesota Star Tribune
Scientists have long recognized birds as key indicators of environmental health. As Minnesota ecologist Sean Peterson told me: “Birds are one of the best tools for understanding how healthy ecosystems work. They’re our ‘canaries in the coal mine.’” When bird populations decline, it’s often an early warning that something is seriously wrong.
Right now in Minnesota, the canary is falling silent— and we should be paying attention. With spring migration underway, this is the perfect time to take action to protect birds.
Over the past 50 years, nearly three billion birds have disappeared. Due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and other human-caused environmental factors, North American bird populations have plummeted by 30% since 1970.
