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Red-headed Woodpecker
photo by Ryan Brady

Our Work

Connecting Continents

The Panamanian isthmus is a migratory bottleneck, concentrating millions of birds migrating between North and South America semiannually. As such, it plays an outsized role in hemispheric bird conservation. The country’s lush forests provide critical habitat for passage migrants and winter residents, including scores of Driftless Area species.

To support conservation of tropical forests for long-distance migrants like Baltimore Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Driftless Birds partnered with Wisconsin-based  Vortex Optics to provide binoculars for young, indigenous Guna Yala men in Panama training to be bird guides.

As stewards for thousands of acres of tropical forest, the Guna Yala are important conservation partners. By supporting the professional development of the next generation of Guna Yala conservationists, we’re investing in a future for birds. 

Young, indigenous Guna Yala men in Panama with their new binoculars, used for bird guide training, provided through a partnership with Driftless Birds and Vortex-Optics.

Building Habitat

Driftless Birds is creating a network of publicly accessible gardens across the Driftless region, showcasing native plants that support birds and thrive locally. Native landscaping is a simple, high-impact way to help birds (and pollinators!). Once established, these plantings need minimal maintenance and provide critical food and habitat for wildlife. Visit one of our gardens for inspiration to ditch the lawn and go native in your own yard. More native plants mean healthier bird populations.
Featured Sites

Coulee Region Humane Society – Onalaska, WI

Driftless Birds has partnered with the Humane Society, to convert an area of lawn into native habitat. The native planting at the Coulee Region Humane Society showcases a strong selection of species well-suited for full sun garden conditions. Established in 2024 and expanded with additional species the following year, the garden is now alive with wildlife and enjoyed by staff and visitors alike.

Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library – Trempealeau, WI
With support from Driftless Birds and the Friends of the Trempealeau Library, the north side of the property now features native plantings complete with bird-safe window treatments and interpretive signage to create a welcoming stop for birds and people alike. The library planting highlights shade-adapted native ferns and offers strong examples of species well-suited to more shaded conditions.

These gardens are always evolving, check back for updates!

This project at the library directly supports Trempealeau’s standing as a Wisconsin Bird City.
The native planting at the Coulee Region Humane Society is an excellent example of plant species selections for a full sun garden plot.
A portion of the library planting is a native fern garden. Note the feather-friendly window treatments on the large picture windows in the background.
To the other side of the large picture windows is a bed of native forbs and grasses. Plantings were designed, and species chosen based on the sunlight availability of each bed.