Science is Key
Sound science is at the heart of PRBO's work.  We use the best available protocols, field techniques and data analysis methods to assess ecosystems and improve and adapt as new information arises. 

Understanding Ecosystems & Change
PRBO staff use scientific methods to understand climate change, landscape ecology, habitat change, and common and endangered bird and other wildlife species.  Our long-term data sets, some dating back to the mid-1960's, allow us to get a better picture of wildlife population trends and what is driving them.

Applying Our Science
PRBO's science and conservation programs work to reduce the negative impacts of rapid environmental change.  PRBO uses its scientific findings to evaluate the health of ecosystems and activley guide management and restoration efforts led by government agencies, non-profits and private parties.  These findings are readily available for conservation use via scientific paper, resource management, or public outreach publications and programs.  

Contact: Grant Ballard, Chief Science Officer

Where We Do Science

PRBO takes active responsibilty to address and work to solve ecological problems in the following areas.  In all of our work we:

• Partner with regional, state and federal agencies and groups and foster effective collaborations to accomplish conservation outcomes
• Document and assess wildlife populations to get the best picture of trends that reflect ecosystem health
• Guide and evaluate habitat protection and restoration efforts by prioritizing wildlife needs and creating decision-support tools
• Communicate our findings to partners, policy makers and the public
• Train the next generation of conservation scientists through seasonal positions, interships and education programs

Click on the titles to learn more about our work in these priority areas: 

	Antarctic Ecosystems We are investigating how Adelie Penguins cope with large changes to their environment, including those brought about by global climate change.
	California Current We advance marine wildlife conservation and sustainable fisheries management practices in the California Current System by documenting, understanding, and predicting the effects of climate variability and long-term biophysical changes on marine birds and mammals and the marine ecosystem.
	California Central Valley We use our expertise in science, conservation planning, informatics, and outreach to improve the persistence and ecological functioning of bird populations and ecosystems in the Central Valley.
	Climate Change We ensure the persistence of biodiversity in the face of rapid climate change and make certain that conservation strategies and investments address bird and ecosystem conservation priorities.
	Pacific Coast We use our expertise in science, conservation planning, informatics, and outreach to improve the persistence and ecological functioning of bird populations and ecosystems on the Pacific Coast.
	San Francisco Bay We maximize the capacity of the region’s ecosystems to support viable bird populations and other ecosystem services in the near- and long-term.
	Sierra Nevada We protect and enhance the critical habitats (coniferous forest, riparian, meadow, oak woodland, shrub-steppe and open-water) of the Sierra Nevada region in order to maintain ecosystem function and bird populations in the face of current and future changes in resource extraction, climate, hydrology, fire regimes, and development pressure.
	Informatics We provide stewardship for the wealth of scientific data compiled by PRBO and our partners, with the goal of converting this data into ecosystem knowledge to support bird, other wildlife and ecosystem conservation.