The National Wildlife Federation recently issued a report calling climate change “the most serious threat this century facing America’s migratory birds” by causing habitat and nesting site losses, food shortages, and behavioral changes including changes to bird migratory patterns. To help address declining bird populations, GRIPP researchers are working to conserve plant species which are ecologically important for the long-term survival of bird species by studying disease resistance, “backing up” plant genetic diversity through cryopreservation, and re-distributing plant species back into their native environments.

Did you Know?

American Elms are an important for the survival of bird species such as the Baltimore oriole.

Eastern Flowering Dogwood is a multi-purpose plant that is crucial to the survival and fitness of many birds and mammals.