2010 IOS Grant Awards
One of IOS's objectives is "To promote scientific research and education in order to improve knowledge and awareness of birds in Illinois". The IOS Grants Program was initiated several years ago to support this objective with funds.
The 2010 IOS Grant Program received 11 grant requests. As a result of the generosity of several groups and individuals six $1,000 grants were awarded. In addition to IOS provided funds, thanks to the following for their generous help:
- Bob and Karen Fisher, Vicky Sroczynski, and John Burke
- The DuPage Birding Club
- The Chicago Ornithological Society
- Anonymous IOS Members
Thanks again to Steve Bailey and Jeff Walk for reviewing and rating all the requests.
Congratulations to the winners and watch for their project articles in future issues of Meadowlark, A Journal of Illinois Birds.
2010 IOS Grant Recipients
1) Kelly McKay, BioEco Research and Monitoring Center. Funds to help continue the Milan Bottoms Bald Eagle night roost survey. Milan Bottoms appears to be the largest night roost on the Upper Mississippi River but the population varies significantly from year to year. The factors affecting this are not understood. A weekly standardized survey is planned.
2) Sarah Cleeton, University of Illinois at Champaign. Assessing the effects of habitat restoration on woodland songbirds in the Chicago area. Determine if woodland patches considered to be "high quality" support higher avian diversity; examine the relationship between avian community structure and invasive vegetation.
3) Jason Fischer, University of Illinois at Champaign. Test the "Overmatching" hypothesis that states high urban densities of birds are the result of low predation pressure and abundant food sources. This allows more birds of poor body condition to survive which inflates populations.
4) Jeff Fox, University of Illinois at Champaign. A continuation of the Reproductive Success of Sandhill Cranes project. This study focuses on the northeastern portion of Illinois.
5) Dixon Illinois Park District. Conduct a bird census at the 200 acre Lowell Park. Use the results to develop a natural resource management plan.
6) Ben O'Neal, University of Illinois at Champaign. Funds for year 3 of the American Golden-Plover migratory habitat preferences study. Determine how long they stage in Illinois, how they move within Illinois and habitat preferences.