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UID:132@natureguelph.ca
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20270107T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20270107T210000
DTSTAMP:20260731T001740Z
URL:https://natureguelph.ca/events/conserving-aerial-insectivores-in-agric
 ultural-landscapes-are-wetlands-the-solution/
SUMMARY:Conserving Aerial Insectivores in Agricultural Landscapes: Are Wetl
 ands the Solution?
DESCRIPTION:Aerial insectivores (swallows\, swifts\, nightjars\, and flycat
 chers) have experienced steep population declines in North America\, with 
 numbers falling by an estimated 43% since the 1970’s. Because many speci
 es within this guild breed in the same agricultural areas\, aerial insecti
 vores can act as indicators of ecosystem health. However\, aerial insectiv
 ores face multiple threats such as habitat loss\, agricultural intensifica
 tion\, pesticide use\, climate change\, and declines in insect prey. This 
 presentation will (1) explore how agricultural intensification impacts aer
 ial insectivores\; (2) summarize evidence demonstrating the benefits of ma
 intaining habitat diversity within agricultural landscapes\; and (3) use t
 ree swallows as a case study to demonstrate how wetlands may offset some o
 f the negative impacts of intensive agriculture. Overall\, the presentatio
 n will highlight how maintaining a diversity of habitats\, and particularl
 y wetlands and other riparian areas\, may be critical to conserving aerial
  insectivores.\n\nSpeaker Bio: Dr. Lisha Berzins is an avian ecologist who
 se work focuses on understanding the threats bird populations are facing\,
  particularly through the loss of wetland habitat and changes in land use 
 and climate\, with the goal of developing conservation solutions to mitiga
 te these threats and promote healthy ecosystems for both birds and people.
  In 2022\, Lisha received the Society of Canadian Ornithologists Early Car
 eer Researcher Award for her contributions to ornithology. Beyond research
 \, Lisha enjoys leading bird hikes\, gardening\, and volunteering as a lan
 d steward at local nature reserves.\n\nTHIS EVENT IS FREE BUT DONATIONS AR
 E ALWAYS WELCOME. Donations can be made in person\, on our website\, throu
 gh Canada Helps\, or by mailing a cheque to: Nature Guelph\, P.O. Box 1401
 \, Guelph\, Ontario N1H 6N8. Suggested donation of $5 for non-members. Cha
 ritable receipts available for donations over $10. If you enjoy our events
  and programs\, consider buying an annual membership. http://www.naturegu
 elph.ca/membership/\n\nEmail birdwing@natureguelph.ca if you have any even
 t-related questions. Please do not request assistance with registration th
 rough our social media accounts.
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://natureguelph.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/
 12/2024-04-13-11.36.35-scaled.jpg
LOCATION:Wild Birds Unlimited\, 987 Gordon Street\, Guelph\, Ontario\, Cana
 da
GEO:43.521544;-80.212595
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