The University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab contributes to knowledge of avian ecology through a combination of original research, long-term and ecological effects monitoring, education, and community engagement.Our committed and passionate scientists actively seek out and use the best available protocols, field techniques and data analysis methods to assess ecosystems in a rapidly changing world. We conduct applied research and monitoring of Montana’s birds throughout their annual cycle to fill key gaps in our understanding of bird populations, while providing sound science to inform land management decisions. We work across Montana’s diverse habitats to assess bird response to a range of management actions and land use practices, from forest thinning and conifer removal, to prescribed fire and stream restoration. Our Education and Outreach Program is multifaceted, ranging from traditional University of Montana field courses to summer programs for the general public. We collaborate with many local and regional partners to deliver a message to people of all ages and from all backgrounds to learn about the natural world around them through a “birds-eye view” of our wildlife.