Monthly Club Meeting – “PGC Initiatives for Recovering PA’s Birds”

Club Meeting – North Museum of Nature and Science, 400 College Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603

Presented by Stefan Karkuff, Pennsylvania Game Commission

Many of our bird species are in decline, and the innumerable threats these birds face can make recovery seem insurmountable.  But the PGC is working on several statewide initiatives to help reverse these trends for some species.  We will discuss many of our ongoing recovery projects in detail, from our kestrel and barn owl efforts to habitat management for grassland species.  We will preview some of our upcoming projects that are just taking flight, including recovery of aerial insectivores, GPS tracking state-endangered species, and nightjar surveys. 

Stefan grew up in Cumberland County, where he caught the birding bug as a young teenager.  Following his passion for birds and the outdoors he went to Ithaca College for undergrad, and then to SUNY ESF in Syracuse for a Masters in Conservation Biology.  After grad school, Stefan returned to central Pennsylvania as a Pheasants Forever biologist working with local farmers to create wildlife habitat on private lands, mainly converting cropland to grassland habitat.  In 2022 he took a position with the Game Commission as the avian recovery biologist working on statewide initiatives to recover Pennsylvania’s declining bird species.  He enjoys birding, hiking, gardening, and spending time with family.