The Ornithological Council is pleased to provide this bimonthly report covering activities in March and April 2026. Over the last two months, Ornithological Council staff:
- Held our annual board meeting, where the board received updates from staff, shared updates from their respective societies, and approved the budget for the next fiscal year, which started July 1. During the meeting, the board voted to approve the application of the American Ornithological Society to become a member society of the OC once again.
- Submitted written testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the U.S. Geological Survey, focusing on the administration’s proposal to eliminate the Ecosystem Mission Area from next year’s budget.
- Distributed our new Fact Sheet on the Proper Use and Cleaning of Bird Feeders, which provides evidence-backed guidance to the bird feeding community on the proper use and cleaning of bird feeders. The fact sheet was featured in both the American Birding Association newsletter and the Birding Community E-Bulletin.
- Updated both the permitting information on our website and our Import Guide, given recent changes in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Centers for Disease Control websites, as well as a few other recent policy changes. The Import Guide was also reformatted and the design updated.
- Attended a bi-monthly meeting of a Scientific Societies Working Group, a coalition of non-partisan associations with a common interest in promoting scientific integrity (including the people and process of doing science, and the application of scientific results to benefit the public) and building capacity within the scientific community in the U.S. and beyond.
- Continued our work on the 5th edition of the Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research. We are in the process of reviewing draft chapters. If you’re interested in peer reviewing one or more chapters over the next few months, please contact laurabiesoc@gmail.com.
- Continued work on a template field study policy for IACUCs to adopt. In response to many inquiries about compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, especially regarding field work, in light of the new regulations regarding birds, the OC is developing a sample policy for field studies under the AWA that institutions can use to develop and codify their own policies.
- Provided direct individual assistance to ornithologists who belong to OC societies regarding the permits necessary to complete their research. During March and April, we assisted 5 individuals with permit issues.
- Posted the articles and updates on the Ornithology Exchange:
- All National Science Board members fired
- OC submits testimony regarding USGS Ecosystems budget
- Ontario repeals its Endangered Species Act
- Federal court strikes down ESA regulations
- COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Changes to banding applications
- President’s budget would once again eliminate USGS Ecosystems Mission Area
- U.S. Forest Service headquarters to move to Utah
All these updates, and more, are always available on the ‘News From the OC’ forum on Ornithological Exchange.