Minnesota is a large state with a great diversity of bird habitat. Within the state there are four major ecoregions, each having distinct environmental conditions and natural resource communities: prairie landscapes are characteristic of western Minnesota, aspen parklands are found in the northwestern region, coniferous forests are widespread throughout the north country and, in southeastern Minnesota, deciduous hardwood forests are most common.
To help us effectively organize a survey project of this size, with this much landscape variation, it takes local knowledge of both birds and their habitat to support effective survey coverage and accurate reporting. The MNBBA created 32 administrative regions within the state to help make this happen (link to map). Each region will have one, or a team of two, Regional Coordinators, to provide local leadership for the Atlas. These volunteer Coordinators are essential to success of the Atlas. They help recruit volunteer surveyors, answer surveyor questions related to species identification and data recording, and review reported observations.
We still need Regional Coordinators in some areas, who have knowledge of local birds and habitat, are comfortable working online, and are interested in working with the birding community. Here's a list of the current Regional Coordinators and the open regions (link). Contact the Project Coordinator for more information (bsample@audubon.org)
