Supporting Native Birds and Building Climate Resilience in Ramsey County Parks
Since early March, Climate Impact Corps member Seth Kopf has spent each week monitoring bluebird and kestrel boxes at Long Lake Regional Park and Rice Creek trails in the northwest corner of Ramsey County. While Kopf’s primary role through AmeriCorps has focused on forestry—specifically supporting the urban tree canopy through planting and maintaining young trees—his background in wildlife surveying and bluebird monitoring naturally led him to take on this additional responsibility.
Kopf’s work comes at a critical time of year, spring and early summer, when native birds are busy building nests, raising young and feeding many hungry beaks. Although these boxes were originally designed for Eastern Bluebirds, they can host a variety of native species including tree swallows, house wrens and more. So far this year, over 40 young birds have successfully fledged from the nest boxes at Long Lake Regional Park.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside other great people doing and supporting this work,” Kopf said. “I’ve learned a lot on my own, but having the support of different biologists and natural resource experts has been incredibly helpful.”
The conservation of native birds such as the Eastern Bluebird has become increasingly important. Bluebird populations, and those of many other bird species, have declined across the United States due to habitat loss, pesticide use and other environmental pressures. One practical way to support their recovery is by installing nest boxes. As cavity nesters, bluebirds typically raise their young in the hollows of old trees. However, with the removal of aging trees due to development, safe nesting spaces have become scarce. Properly designed nest boxes provide a much-needed alternative and play a meaningful role in restoring local bird populations. For more information about building a bluebird box, visit the North American Bluebird Society’s guide here.
As Kopf nears the end of his AmeriCorps service term, he has also contributed to public education by using his background in wildlife photography to document the birds and other animals that inhabit Ramsey County’s parks. His photographs include vibrant images of bluebirds, tree swallows and a range of other wildlife that call Long Lake home. From American robins nesting in the underbrush to goldfinches flitting through open meadows, the diversity of species offers a glimpse into the thriving ecosystems these parks support. View the rest of the wildlife photos from Seth Kopf.
Unfortunately, due to changes in federal funding, the Climate Impact Corps program will not continue beyond this year. “While I hope the work I was doing can continue in my absence, I know it will be difficult without additional staff to support these efforts,” Kopf said.
Kopf joins many others in expressing hope that funding and support for Climate Impact Corps and similar AmeriCorps programs will return in the future. The hands-on stewardship, education and ecological care provided through these efforts remain vital to both wildlife conservation and the health of local communities.