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Project Partners
Completing a project as large and complex as the Maine Bird Atlas required the time, expertise, and collaboration of many individuals and organizations. While more than 6,500 volunteers carried out the majority of field observations, the success of the Atlas also depended on professional staff, scientific leadership, data management, and long-term institutional support.
The Maine Bird Atlas brought together experts from state government, nonprofit conservation organizations, and academic institutions. The project was funded and led by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, with key contributions from the following partner organizations.
Maine Natural History Observatory
The Maine Natural History Observatory is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 to advance knowledge and understanding of Maine's flora and fauna. MNHO's mission is to collect, interpret, publish, and archive information on the state's plants and animals.
MNHO works collaboratively with agencies, organizations, and individuals to support research and monitoring efforts across Maine. For the Maine Bird Atlas, MNHO played a central role in scientific coordination, data analysis, and project implementation.
Maine Audubon
Since 1843, Maine Audubon has connected people to nature through science-based conservation, education, and advocacy. Maine Audubon is the state's largest wildlife conservation organization, with a network of wildlife sanctuaries, thousands of members and volunteers, and extensive public programming.
Maine Audubon contributed scientific expertise, outreach, and volunteer engagement to the Maine Bird Atlas, helping to expand participation and strengthen conservation outcomes statewide.
Biodiversity Research Institute
The Biodiversity Research Institute assesses emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research and applies scientific findings to inform decision-making. BRI brings extensive experience in wildlife monitoring, ecological data management, geospatial analysis, and ecological modeling.
BRI supported the Maine Bird Atlas through research expertise and technical capacity, contributing to the scientific rigor and long-term value of the project's data.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a global leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Known for scientific excellence and technological innovation, the Lab develops tools that engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the natural world.
One of the Lab's flagship programs, eBird, served as the data entry platform for the Maine Bird Atlas. Launched in 2002, eBird has become one of the world's largest biodiversity data resources, providing critical information on bird abundance and distribution across spatial and temporal scales.