• Ensure that the best ornithological science is incorporated into legislative, regulatory, and management decisions that affect birds;
• Enhance the ability of ornithologists to pursue professional activities; and
• Promote the influence of ornithology in public affairs.

1. Affected a staff transition. Ellen Paul, who served as the Ornithological Council’s Executive Director for over twenty years, left the organization at the end of May. We thank Ellen for her tireless work on behalf of ornithologists. Laura Bies, previously the director of government affairs at The Wildlife Society and a freelance conservation policy analyst, joined OC’s staff as the new Executive Director.

2. Posted on information on Ornithology Exchange regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement for their proposal to exclude incidental take from the jurisdiction of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the upcoming regulations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on animal welfare as it pertains to birds, the adoption by AAALAC of the AVMA’s Euthanasia Guidelines, and USPS’s decisions to no longer accept hand written customs forms. 

3. Draft comments regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulatory proposal to exclude incidental take from the jurisdiction of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  

4. Prepared annual reports for three member societies — the Pacific Seabird Group, the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association of Field Ornithologists — reporting on the OC’s activities for the preceding year. 

5. Prepared a major revision of the Guide to the Permits and Procedures for Importing Bird Products into the U.S. for Scientific Research and Display. 

6. Assisted two individuals with permit questions and one with a question about professional society participation.