LAKE MILLS, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) — One in five birds in Wisconsin are at a risk of extinction according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

A study out of Cornell University in 2019 showed that nearly 3 billion birds have disappeared across North America since 1970. That news has ramped up conservation efforts across the state.

“That was just a real shock to everybody, we knew they were in decline, but this was a real shock and even in Wisconsin a lot of our common birds have declined a lot and we need to help them,” said Karen Etter Hale, chairperson of Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership.

The 22 year-old group is made up of more than 150 organizations across the state dedicated to helping birds. They include a range of groups like businesses, hunting and fishing groups, bird clubs and land trusts. The Wisconsin DNR is a notable member group and funder.

The 2019 report spurred the organization to change some of its tactics.

“We had to regroup and so we're going to move forward and do what we can like we always have, but more,” Etter Hale said.

The partnership is now going to focus on the state's 93 sites designated as important bird areas around the state. They've hired an environmental scientist — Tom Prestby with GEI Consultants — to identify conservation opportunities in those areas and build plans to help birds.

“There's a whole range, of problems that we have to start addressing, we have been addressing but we need to do more,” Etter Hale said.

The 2019 report showed that most of the reason is habitat decline for things like infrastructure.

Other factors likes windows, pesticides, plastics and invasive species have also factored in.

Etter Hale said people from any part of Wisconsin can help

“We need everybody on board, not just the scientists but everyone, you can do things in your back yard,” She said.

Etter Hale directs people to a list of seven things you can do to help: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/seven-simple-actions-to-help-birds/

They include cutting down on plastics and pesticides, putting native plants in your yard, keeping cats inside, and joining bird watching groups to report what you see.

You can also check out the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership online for more information: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org