Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Join the Master Watershed Stewards for guided wetland bird walks across the PA Wilds. Learn bird identification, ecology, and photography tips while exploring diverse habitats.

Forest birds of Pennsylvania and northeastern North America come in all different shapes, sizes, seasons, and songs. Explore their background and behaviors.

Forest dwelling reptiles are widely distributed but seldom seen. Their important and diverse roles in ecosystems and their physical adaptations are fascinating to learn about.

During the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) activity, one optional data field records the number of frogs and toads observed or heard. Different species are active during different months in Pennsylvania.

Discover how private landowners can create and manage grasslands and other early successional habitats with technical and financial support from Pheasants Forever and NRCS programs.

Forest dwelling amphibians are fascinating frogs and salamanders with complex life cycles, adaptations, and ecological roles. Their wellbeing mirrors ecosystem health.

Explore how beavers shape Pennsylvania's waterways and forests. Learn why nearly 20,000 beavers matter to ecosystems and people—and how to manage conflicts and build artificial dams.

This article explains what prion diseases like chronic wasting disease (CWD), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) are. These fatal neurological diseases can be difficult to grasp.

Raptors are birds of prey that are often migratory species and indicators of global environmental conditions. Their identification when observed at high altitudes is the birder’s challenge.

Golden Eagles undertake a spectacular annual migration following the western ridges of the Appalachians – passing over Pennsylvania heading north in the spring and south in the autumn.

Discover how modern trail cameras help forest landowners monitor wildlife, track landscape changes, and guide management decisions, with practical insights on camera types and real-world use.

Learn how to prepare, plant, and maintain native pollinator meadows that support wildlife, with guidance on species selection and strategies for season-long blooms.

A step-by-step guide to the purpose and parts of a field notebook.

Wildlife observation is an important pastime for many people and properly placed trail cameras can provide key information about which wild species are present and active.

Explore local wildlife on a guided walk focused on bird and plant identification while learning about Pennsylvania’s ecology in a fun, family-friendly setting.

How to detect conjunctivitis in birds, which birds are affected, effects, and how to prevent the spread of the disease.

Hunters are finding solutions for the issues caused by lead hunting ammunition. Lead-free rifle ammunition offers a solid choice for addressing this conservation issue.

A brief overview of the natural processes of an earthen pond and how to maintain a healthy pond.

A behind the scenes and "inside the box" view of the secret and busy life of a nesting bluebird.

An informative look into the cryptic world of an Eastern Wild Turkey during the mating season.

I found a banded pigeon. How can I find the owner?

This article is a collection of phenology notes specifically focused on the autumn months: October, November, and December.

The unintended impacts of lead bullet fragments and a non-lead solution are examined in this video.

This article is a collection of phenology notes specifically focused on the summer months: July, August, and September.

This article discusses how people understand and value wild birds and the importance of private forest lands in conserving bird populations.