Mags Rheude and Mags Edwards present “Chimney Swift Conservation and Community Engagement.” Mags Rheude, a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will introduce the Twin Cities Urban Bird Treaty Program and their research on the efficacy of free-standing chimney swift towers in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities hosts over 70 freestanding swift towers, built 10+ years ago during a conservation effort supported by Audubon chapters, Boy Scouts, and other civic groups. 

The Twin Cities UBT group examined if towers were still present, monitored, and used by Chimney Swifts. Mags Edwards, Community Science Program Coordinator with the Minnesota DNR, will discuss the group’s recommendations moving forward in light of these results and the group’s current focus on community engagement with Chimney Swifts. This includes the development of a survey tool to crowdsource existing nests and roost sites, promoting community swift sits, and engaging with property owners to preserve existing sites.