For over 60 years, birds have been at the heart of Point Blue’s mission. The organization was founded to study bird migration along the Pacific Flyway, and we now have the longest running population study of landbirds in North America west of the Mississippi River and the largest coordinated research network of shorebirds in the
Archives: Science Blogs
Science for a Blue Planet
Science for a Blue Planet
Leading with Heart and Vision: Melissa Pitkin Named CEO
The Point Blue Conservation Science Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Melissa Pitkin as our next CEO, effective June 23, 2025. Melissa succeeds CEO Mani Oliva, who left the organization for a different position in November, after five years of collaborative leadership. Melissa was selected from a large pool of exceptionally
Habitat Should Not Be An Endangered Term
The science is clear that habitat is essential for the survival of wildlife populations. Point Blue is strongly opposed to removing explicit habitat protections from the ESA regulations.
Where People and Nature Meet: Shaping the Future of Conservation
As we embark on a new chapter at Point Blue, I am excited to share our 2025-2030 strategic plan with the uniting theme of “Connected Conservation.” It was designed with a vision to unite in the midst of today’s pressing environmental and social challenges. Over the years, I have often reflected on the deep connections
Announcing Jack Ladd Jr. Tribute Challenge Grant
To fund the Jack Ladd Jr. Tribute Apprenticeship at The Palomarin Field Station in Bolinas, California A Life of Service Jack was an incredible friend to Point Blue Conservation Science. Jack served on Point Blue’s Board of Directors from 1995 to 2009. During that time, Jack guided Point Blue, then PRBO Conservation Science, through a
The Social Side of Conservation Science is Blossoming!
Conservation is entering a new, socio-ecological era. For many years, the field of conservation was dominated by the natural sciences. Threats to biodiversity, and the ecosystems in support, had environmentalists putting in their best efforts to advocate for nature. The dominant mode was protection: safeguard certain key natural areas from human activity to preserve habitat
Celebrating Two Years of Climate-Smart Meadow Restoration
Two years ago, in 2023, we at Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) embarked on an ambitious journey to restore critical headwater meadows across the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades of California. With $24.7 million in funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), this initiative has already made substantial progress in revitalizing these critical ecosystems,
The Roots Program: 2 Years of Impact and Counting!
The Roots Program has approved funding to 100 projects in 36 counties across California. These projects will implement over 290 restoration practices to benefit wildlife and pollinators.
Our 2024 Year Highlights
We started the year off with a once-in-a-lifetime special opportunity for a small group of Point Blue community members–a two week trip to Antarctica in January alongside then CEO, Mani Oliva, and Chief Science Officer, Dr. Grant Ballard. And finally, in December, we wrote about “putting the meadow restoration season to bed” under a blanket of fluffy white snow after restoration activities at over 50 meadows, covering more than 8,000 acres.
Putting the Meadows to Bed Under a Blanket of Snow
Restoring Sierra Meadows, our exquisite high elevation wetlands, can be challenging due to the short window we have with them each year.
Sign up for Point Blue News
Stay up-to-date on our science, get our quarterly newsletters directly to your inbox, and don't miss an opportunity to support critical conservation.