Benjamin Van Doren, Ph.D.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Benjamin Van Doren, Ph.D.
Dr. Benjamin Van Doren studies how migratory animals are responding to a changing world. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research spans spatial and population scales and unites ecology, evolution, behavior, and conservation. Dr. Van Doren earned a PhD in Zoology from Oxford University and has received achievement awards from the American Ornithological Society, Linnean Society of London, and Zoological Society of London.
Project Summary
Wings Over the Windy City: Science, Outreach, and Action to Protect Chicago's Migratory Birds
Migratory animals have experienced dramatic population declines in recent decades, and human activities and the built environment are an important cause. In this project, we will study the risks migratory birds face in Chicagoland—both on the ground and in the air. We will (1) show how migratory birds use aerial habitats high above the city, (2) characterize the value of urban green spaces, and (3) identify the most important factors driving fatal bird-building collisions. Armed with this new understanding, we will develop data-driven tools for use by advocates and policymakers and engage and educate the public about the inspiring phenomenon of bird migration and what they can do to help.
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