The mission of Delaware Audubon is to protect birds and their habitats through education, appreciation, and conservation. As part of that mission, in 2023 our chapter initiated a conservation grant program to help grassroots efforts that align with our mission. Individuals or groups wishing to conduct local scientific research, habitat improvement, or environmental education or outreach were invited to submit grant applications.

Three grant applications that were submitted were approved and are listed below.

Researcher: Blake Struthers

Advisor: Dr. Christopher Williams, University of Delaware

Title of project: Evaluation of Wood Duck nesting ecology in inland forested wetlands and coastal open marshes

Researcher: Claire Bernard

Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Buler, University of Delaware

Title of project: Identifying Purple Martin diet and its effect on nestling development

Researcher: Emma Jonas

Advisor: Dr. Douglas Tallamy, University of Delaware

Title of project: The impact of ground cover on the subsurface pupation of Lepidoptera

Researcher: Tahira Mohyuddin

Advisor: Dr. Christopher Heckscher, Delaware State University

Title of project: Quantifying the Ecological Importance of Delaware Bay Coastal Barrier Islands and Near-shore Habitats to Transient Songbirds during Fall Migration