Goldfinches, hawks and chickadees. There are over 10,000 species of birds, each adapted to its specific environment and lifestyle. They can be found in nearly every ecosystem on Earth. 

With such diversity, there is much to study about them.  

Missouri State University biology students Taylor Hiers and Carter Stoelzel believe more young people should have opportunities to appreciate the wonders of the avian world. So, they started the MSU Bird Club and recently attended the 2023 Audubon Leadership Conference in Estes Park, Colorado.  

“Their attendance at the conference is indicative of the seriousness and determination with which they approach bird conservation,” said Dr. Jay McEntee, assistant professor of biology and faculty advisor of the Bird Club. 

About the Bird Club 

The conversation about starting the MSU Bird Club began through a different organization. 

“I’m involved with the local Greater Ozarks Audubon Society, and they wanted to encourage more young people to learn about birds,” Stoelzel said. “So, in the fall semester of 2021, we founded the Bird Club on MSU’s campus.” 

The club hosts birdwatching field trips throughout the school year, where participants hike through parks and nature areas around Springfield and try to identify birds.  

“We get to see a lot of cool species, especially in the spring and fall when a ton of rare birds migrate through Missouri,” Hiers said. “Missouri gets a huge amount of bird activity during migration compared to other states since many species use the Mississippi River region as their main route when heading north or south.” 

The Bird Club also offers volunteer opportunities for bird conservation. They work with the MSU Grounds Department to collect and record any birds that fatally collided with windows on campus. 

“Window strikes are one of the biggest human causes of bird mortality in the country, so we hope the data we collect will help MSU become a more bird-safe campus,” Hiers said. “The Bird Club is open to any student who loves nature, and no prior birding experience is required.” 

The conference experience 

As officers of the Bird Club, which has a direct affiliation with the National Audubon Society, Hiers and Stoelzel attended the organization’s leadership conference.  

It is held every other year and is a chance for Audubon members from every level of the organization (campus chapters, local chapters and regional and national employees), as well as international partners from across the hemisphere, to network and discuss bird conservation.  

“We got to meet Audubon members from across the country, particularly other campus chapter leaders,” Hiers said. “We had many interesting conversations about how to engage with students on campus and how to promote bird conservation and awareness in our communities.” 

These connections help fuel the duo’s passion for bird conservation and keeping the Bird Club strong. 

“It was really interesting to see all the projects Audubon members are leading across the country to protect birds and connect people to nature,” Stoelzel said. “I learned a lot about how conservation efforts are organized at local, national and hemispheric scales, and I’m excited The Bird Club can play a part in that, however small.” 

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