Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society
The Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) is a Canadian nonprofit organization (Business Registration Number 895894467RR0001) dedicated to the conservation of the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) in Southern Alberta. Established to address habitat loss and population declines among avian species, the society focuses on nest box installation, habitat restoration, and public education initiatives.

Mission and Activities

MBTCS aims to study, conserve, and restore the Mountain Bluebird’s natural range through a network of over 2,700 nest boxes maintained across Southern Alberta. These artificial nesting sites help mitigate competition from invasive species such as European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), which displace native cavity-nesting birds. The society collaborates with a volunteer network of over 100 members to monitor nesting success, collect ecological data, and advocate for conservation policies.

Conservation Efforts

The organization emphasizes habitat corridor preservation, particularly in regions experiencing agricultural or urban encroachment. By pairing nest boxes strategically—a method adopted to reduce interspecies competition—MBTCS supports both Mountain Bluebirds and secondary cavity-nesters like Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Legacy projects, such as the Legacy-Rotary Mountain Bluebird Trail (60 nest boxes near Olds, Alberta), demonstrate partnerships with local groups to expand conservation impact.

Educational Outreach

MBTCS conducts public workshops and distributes educational materials to promote species-specific stewardship. Its volunteer training programs emphasize nest box monitoring protocols and ecological best practices, fostering community involvement in avian conservation.

Collaborations

The society works with organizations such as the Legacy Land Trust Society and international conservation networks to advance habitat protection strategies. These alliances aim to address broader declines in bird populations, including common species affected by environmental changes.

See Also

• Mountain Bluebird: Ecology and conservation status of the species.
• Bird conservation in Canada: Overview of national avian protection efforts.
• Habitat restoration: Techniques for mitigating biodiversity loss.

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