Eden Prairie bird habitats threatened by habitat fragmentation

Editor’s note: Chris-Ann Lauria, Eden Prairie’s newest Minnesota GreenCorps member, wrote this piece, originally featured in the Friends of Eden Prairie Parks’ October 2024 newsletter. The Friends group supports the city by improving biodiversity and enhancing ecosystems in parks and conservation areas. Minnesota GreenCorps is a program dedicated to preserving Minnesota’s natural resources while training a new generation of environmental professionals.

Nestled among Eden Prairie’s city streets, multi-story buildings, and bustling businesses are 37 top-notch parks and 15 remarkable conservation areas. These green spaces are invaluable for migrating and resident birds, who rely on them for feeding, breeding, and resting.

However, our critical bird habitats are under siege. Urbanization, exotic and invasive species, climate change, and impaired water bodies threaten once vast areas supporting migratory birds. Habitat loss from invasive species is one reason Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP) is working tirelessly to restore and protect our parks and conservation areas. We need to act now to protect and restore our bird habitats. 

Maintaining a cool and shaded habitat for birds is essential. Areas outside of major urban centers tend to be cooler. Yet, the urban heat island effect (UHI) can still impact suburban communities with highly impervious surfaces and limited tree canopy. Eden Prairie has 41% tree canopy cover that helps mitigate the impacts of UHI. Despite being surrounded by natural areas and several lakes, the City of Eden Prairie has pockets of high land surface temperatures, such as around Golden Triangle, the mall, and Flying Cloud Airport. Areas with heat-absorbing black surfaces, such as asphalt and rooftops, limit options for birds and other wildlife to escape the heat. Increased temperatures can cause heat exhaustion, asphalt burns, decreased food sources, and bird deaths. 

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Luckily, Eden Prairie has protected conservation areas critical to migratory and breeding birds. Twice a year, bird watchers may see buffleheads, yellow-rumped warblers, hooded mergansers, blue-winged teal, redstarts, and prothonotary warblers. 

Every spring and fall, the skies above Hennepin County are filled with the flight of beautiful Neotropical birds. Their journey is a sight to behold, as they fly all night, and when daylight breaks, they land in search of a safe place to rest, nest, and find food. Some of our residents are lucky to be privy to their astonishing courtship rituals. Gallant struts, dives, wing flaps, head nods, and dance steps give credence to our natural spaces being the heart of Eden Prairie. Yes, our parks are perfect hosts, providing a haven for these feathered travelers during their long and arduous journey from as far as Central and South America. 

Some of our natural spaces are home to resident wood ducks, bald eagles, belted kingfishers, and red-bellied and pileated woodpeckers, which can be heard year-round. Towering cottonwood and mature silver maple trees also provide the perfect shelter for barred owls and songbirds and nesting grounds for colonial waterbirds, including egrets and great blue herons. These vibrantly colored birds and their symphonic melodies add to the natural beauty of our parks.

Yet, these birds are not just beautiful creatures; they are crucial for people and our planet. They act as pollinators, helping plants grow and reproduce. Birds also disperse seeds, promoting plant diversity and supporting ecosystems. They control disease-causing pests, such as insects and rodents. In addition, birds bring in tourists and contribute to the economy by providing opportunities for ecotourism, such as bird watching.

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Loss of bird habitat from invasive species is one of many concerns FEPP members have. This is one reason this passionate group of locals formed a volunteer-based non-profit. FEPP members aim to promote and volunteer for a more sustainable vision for Eden Prairie’s parks and conservation areas. But we need your support. Together, we can make a difference!

FEPP’s mission aligns with the city’s goals to prevent and repair bird habitat degradation by: 

• Removing invasive species using approved, research-based methods.
• Targeting the removal of non-native and invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle, whose berries have poor nutritional value for migrant and residential birds.
• Protecting, planting, and facilitating the growth of keystone native plant species to improve avian habitats.
• Promoting and restoring high-quality forest canopies and floodplain forested areas to support breeding populations of forest and canopy birds.
• Maintaining dead-standing trees and woody debris for bird and other wildlife habitat.

Protecting and restoring our parks and conservation areas to increase migratory and resident bird habitat is the responsible and sensible thing to do for the planet, for humans, and for the birds. So yes, habitat fragmentation is for the birds – or not.

About the author: Chris-Ann Lauria is a member of MN GreenCorps, serving with the City of Eden Prairie Parks and Natural Resources Department. She recently completed a degree in environmental science and is passionate about restoration ecology, climate change adaptation, and Indigenous approaches to sustainability. Additionally, she serves as a board manager for the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, focusing on managing and protecting water resources related to flood control and water conservation. Lauria is dedicated to advocating for the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of natural resources for the benefit of future generations.