An update from the Arthur A. Seeligson Jr. Conservation Fund 2021 grant recipient
The Fort Worth Zoo administers the Arthur A. Seeligson Jr. Conservation Fund (SCF) that supports the conservation of native Texas wildlife through grant awards that promote partnerships among scientists, educators, organizations and private landowners committed to conserving the biodiversity of Texas. In 2021, the SCF awarded funding to support a project for the Wilson’s plover, a species of shorebird that breeds along the Texas coast, and we’re excited to share some of that project’s updates.
The Wilson’s plover is a shorebird found primarily in coastal habitats. The state of Texas supports more than 30% of the estimated U.S. population. The recipient of last year’s grant, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO), has been monitoring nesting Wilson’s plovers for five years, and with this grant, they’ve been able to monitor these migratory birds with geolocators. The geolocator device tracks the movements throughout the migratory season. After retrieving the devices when the birds return to Texas to breed in 2023, the GCBO will be able to accurately record the migratory route and the general overwintering location of these birds. This information will contribute to the understanding of the full life cycle of this species, which is essential for determining conservation needs.
You can read more about the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory at gcbo.org and more about the Arthur A. Seeligson Jr. Conservation Fund here.