WBS' Three Phase Program to Wildlife Area Enhancement:
Habitat Assessment: The first step of any project generally includes the evaluation of the property in question.
WBS field staff are able to provide an overall assessment of biodiversity, habitat quality, critical habitat identification and the presence or absence of federally or state identified endangered or threatened species as well as species of special concern.
Conservation Consultation: After a thorough assessment of the property has been completed, senior WBS field staff will develop various comprehensive habitat management plans taking into account the current and proposed land use. The identification of habitat restoration and/or enhancement opportunities can be made at this time.
Habitat Management: WBS is experienced in the development of long term habitat management programs designed to maintain an increased overall habitat quality. Based on goals and objectives developed during consultations, a detailed management plan can be put together including design, construction oversight and long term monitoring and maintenance regimes. When properly implemented, such a plan is integral to the success of any project and may bring other benefits such as increased aesthetic value and potential reductions in maintenance costs.
WBS is internationally recognized as a first-class conservation organization and has consulted on many projects for zoological institutions including international entities such as the Ecuador Zoological Park and the Guyana Zoological Park. WBS' environmental consultants have experience working with numerous government organizations including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, United States Air Force, Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and many others.
Checking the Mist nets
Carefully freeing the birds from the net
Almost free of the net
Placing the bird in a "Safe Bag"
Applying a band
Checking for feather condition and parasites
Measuring the length of the primary feathers
Weighing the bird
Explaining to visitors what we are doing
Ahh. One of the many departments I work in :-). Don't let them fool you, those Chickadees are ridiculously hard to get out of those mist nets. The Visitor Information Center is also my favorite area to bird band.
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