For the 2,500+ volunteers who contributed data to Maryland and DC’s third breeding bird atlas, the completion of data collection was not the end of the project — it was the first step. After data collection wrapped up, one of the first applications was updating Maryland’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Next, MBCP will be partnering with the New York Breeding Bird Atlas III to analyze both states’ datasets concurrently. Read more
Maryland's Garden Stories
Across Maryland, people are making a difference for birds through small, practical actions. MBCP’s Garden Stories show that our small individual efforts scale into large collective action, and we accomplish more when we connect, learn from one another, and work together. Read more about the people making a difference for Maryland habitats, one native plant at a time.
Seed Libraries
Did you know that you can help Maryland’s birds by going to the library? Communities that are recognized by Bird City Maryland, an initiative of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership, are creatively completing actions in the “Education and Engagement” category with seed libraries. Read more
Eli's Gift to Maryland's Barn Owls
The barn owl is one of the most beloved farmland raptors worldwide, but in Maryland, it’s in deep trouble. By attaching tiny transmitters to barn owls captured on their breeding grounds, MBCP will track the movements of the tagged owls throughout a full annual cycle. My husband, Solomon Woods, and I have funded this project in memory of our son, Eli Woods. Read more
Chestertown Renews Bird City Status
In partnership with The Natural Lands Project at Washington College's Center for Environment & Society, 28 acres of former corn fields at the Chestertown Wastewater Treatment Plant has been converted into wildflower habitat, which supports pollinators and many bird species including grasshopper sparrows. Read more
City of Frederick Renews Bird City Status
The City of Frederick is committed to managing green space to benefit birds, which also improves conditions for a host of other species … including people! Frederick’s new Cooler Neighborhoods program aims to increase tree canopy around Title I schools. Read more
Brunswick Renews Bird City Status
The city leverages partnerships to notch up 28 action points. In addition to its Bird City recognition, Brunswick is also a silver-level Sustainable Maryland city. Read more
Monocacy Grassland Birds Initiative
MBCP is excited to join the new Monocacy Grassland Birds Initiative, a collaborative effort focused on the Monocacy Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA) in Frederick and Carroll counties. The IBA is a large landscape of primarily privately-owned working farms and open habitats that remain critically important for some of Maryland’s most vulnerable birds.
Annapolis Renews Bird City Status
Where's Shorty Now?
MBCP’s Short-eared Owl Project will be studying the movements of this enigmatic owl using satellite transmitters. Alex Pellegrini explains how this community-funded project started and the progress he and Andy Brown have made towards accomplishing the project’s research goals. Read more





