American Kestrel Partnership 2020: Masks

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Every purchased shirt, mask, and additional tax-deductible donation supports American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) conservation science. The American Kestrel Partnership is an international project initiated by The Peregrine Fund in 2012 in response to the long-term decline of the American Kestrel. North America’s smallest falcon has been in decline since at least the 1960s, but as of yet, the causes of this decline remain a mystery.

Our partners across the western hemisphere consist of both professional biologists and citizen scientists who monitor kestrel nest boxes and report their data on our interactive website. Our objective is to use partnership data to identify and help reverse the causes of the decline of these remarkable birds. Partners contribute in many other ways as well, including educational outreach, monetary donations or donations of art and photographs, and by spreading the word about our work. You can learn more about our work and become a partner at kestrel.peregrinefund.org.

Our campaign artwork this year was graciously donated by talented artist and conservation geneticist Dr. Stephanie Galla. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at Boise State University, Stephanie is studying how species like American Kestrels and big sagebrush are adapting to a changing climate. These two species inspired our 2020 design: a very happy kestrel perched on a wreath of flowering sagebrush. “When making this illustration, I was thinking about how to grow and find joy, even while we're alone during COVID,” Stephanie says. “Studying adaptive capacity in other species makes me reflect on the ability of people to adapt and grow during tumultuous times. If other species can be resilient to a changing world, we can be resilient, too.”

By sporting your American Kestrel shirt or facemask, we hope you will engage in conversations regarding the mysterious decline of the American Kestrel and the role of the American Kestrel Partnership in uncovering the causes behind the species' decline. Thank you so much for your support!
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The Peregrine Fund, established in 1970, is the leading international organization charged with conserving birds of prey around the world. The non-profit organization was established in response to the rapid decline of Peregrine Falcons due to the use of the pesticide DDT, which caused nest failure due to eggshell thinning. The Peregrine Falcon was the very first species to be listed on the Endangered Species Act. In 1999, due largely to the efforts of The Peregrine Fund, the species had recovered to a point where they no longer needed protection by the Endangered Species Act and so they were de-listed. Today, The Peregrine Fund supports conservation of birds of prey globally. Learn more and become a member of The Peregrine Fund at peregrinefund.org.