Harnessing the Power of Community to Protect a Park and its Birds

NAME: Mark LaBarr

LOCATION: Charlotte, VT

ORGANIZATION: Audubon Vermont

As both a scientist and an educator, Mark LaBarr understands the importance of translating science into practical, relevant terms for people. Mark has been a conservation leader in his community for two decades, and has used this philosophy to build valuable relationships with community leaders, landowners, and local groups to help protect migratory birds.

With his TogetherGreen fellowship, Mark will work with the town of Charlotte, Vermont, to create a model and demonstration site for how private landowners can manage their land to benefit birds. The town has a 290 acre Park and Wildlife Refuge that supports a number of priority bird species, including the Eastern Towhee, Bobolink, Golden-winged Warbler, and Brown Thrasher. A major challenge is that a significant part of this habitat is covered with invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn.

Mark will work with the Park Oversight Committee, as well community members, to develop a plan to help protect the park’s bird species by tackling the spread of honeysuckle and buckthorn and replacing them with native shrubs. He will also involve community members and the local Audubon Chapter in a volunteer monitoring network that will measure the effects of the invasive plant removal, as well as the management of other habitats, on priority bird species. This will provide an adaptive approach that will allow them to modify management actions as necessary.

By engaging the local community in its protection, Mark hopes to demonstrate the value of this park – not only to the birds, but to the community itself.