Oklahoma's
prairie land, is one of the key things makes this state special.
But
we can't take the land, or the birds that live there, for granted.
Both
are being threatened by development and the changing environment.
Near
Bartlesville, the Sutton Avian Research Center is fighting the battle
for conservation.
They've
had notable successes like the restoration of the Southern Bald
Eagle.
Lena
Larson is a Population Geneticist at the Center, who says their work is very rewarding.
The
restoration project has taken Oklahoma, from zero nesting pairs, to around 120 in the 2010 survey.
She
says the center also works to preserve the environment that's needed,
for prairie birds like the Lesser Prairie Chicken.
That's a species that's threatened
in the western part of the state.
There's
concern because the prairie land is being developed and
fragmented.
Another
concern, is the spread of the Eastern Red Cedar tree that changes the
open land to forest.
She
says we need to be sensitive, to keeping pressure off the delicate
ecosystem.
Another
function of the center is to educate people about prairie birds.
They're
a clear indicator of how our state and our world are doing.
So
paying attention to them is crucial.
Ryan
VanZant is the Lead Bird Trainer, for the center's education programs.
They
perform flight demonstrations, at school, to raise the awareness of
students.
He
says we need to pay attention to Oklahoma's birds because they truly
are indicators of the quality of our environment.
VanZant
says they have faster metabolisms, so they respond more quickly to
the changes in the world around us.
He
adds, "it's not just that they're flying around and beautiful to
look at, they actually play a very important role in a lot of ways
for us".
