Smith Birds Lab | Biodiversity, Agriculture, Inclusive Conservation

We believe that diversity in all its forms is essential.

We combine fieldwork, socio-ecological surveys, lab work, and meta-analyses to advance sustainable biodiversity conservation in a rapidly changing world.

We are particularly passionate about conserving birds and other animals in our planet’s largest land use – agriculture – in a way that is sustainable for people and nature.

We know that science has historically and currently excludes people from participation, and we work to find solutions to rectify these inequities.

Prospective lab members

Interested in joining our lab? Learn more about opportunities here:

Become a farmer collaborator

Interested in partnering with us on research? Reach out to us to express your interest at [email protected] and find more about what we do here.

Our Research Areas

1. Farming for people and nature

We are passionate about sustainable biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes, ensuring a balance between people, nature, and farming practices.

2. Managing agricultural systems for bird conservation and avian-mediated ecosystem services

We seek to understand how farmers can manage their lands to conserve birds while harnessing the benefits that birds can provide to production, such as control of pest insects. Our work also acknowledges that birds can harm production by damaging crops or spreading foodborne pathogens and seeks solutions to maximize the benefits of birds while mitigating their harms.

3. Avian Biology

We love birds! We are intrinsically interested in all things birds.

Our avian research typically has an applied conservation angle, but we enjoy learning about birds broadly and sharing this passion with others.

4. Filters to diverse participation in science

Deep inequities impact the opportunity and success of current and future scientists. We seek to understand and ameliorate barriers that prevent people from historically excluded groups from succeeding, ensuring that science is inclusive and
equitable.

5. Ornithology is for everyone

Ornithology has not always been and is still not always a welcoming field to everyone. We are passionate about creating opportunities for anyone, anywhere to engage with the birds that excite them.

6. Translating agricultural research to effect change

Our science must advance sustainable biodiversity conservation and be useful to the farmers we work with, creating actionable changes for both people and nature. We disseminate our findings to farmers through a variety of modalities. Our science informs broader agricultural policy to effect wider change.

Our work with farms

Much of our work is conducted on commercial farms. Our science would not be possible without the many generous farmers who allow us to collect data to understand the outcomes of their land stewardship choices. We try to give back to our farmer collaborators by sharing our findings with them.