Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory

Company History

Established in 1994, the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory (LSLBO) is a non-profit society dedicated to “promoting bird conservation through research and education. As a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network, the LSLBO operates a well-recognized avian monitoring program that has documented the population status of over 250 species of migratory and breeding birds at Lesser Slave Lake for over 26 years. Analysis of the LSLBO avian monitoring data provides accurate population status and long-term trends for many species of boreal birds. Due to bird species unique breeding habitat requirements, early detection of significant population changes can help alert scientists to environmental changes that may be occurring within boreal forest habitats and enable earlier identification of potential species of concern. The boreal forest provides critical breeding habitat for over half of all bird in North America, and migration monitoring stations such as the LSLBO provide an accurate and cost-effective method to assess the population status of bird species across the boreal forest.

In 2006, the LSLBO partnered with Alberta Parks for the establishment of the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation, a year-round education and research centre focusing on increasing public awareness of the importance of the boreal forest, especially for migratory birds. Working with our education partners (Alberta Parks and Lesser Slave Forest Education Society), the LSLBO “nurtures stewards of the boreal forest” through exciting, hands-on school fieldtrips (Kindergarten to Post secondary), community outreach programs, and special events to over 8,000 participants each year.