Protecting Maine’s Coastal Treasures: Vital Conservation Efforts for Common Eiders
By Allison Foster, Science Communications Coordinator

Spending a sunny day on a boat in Casco Bay isn’t a bad summer job, at least not for BRI biologists Helen Yurek and Logan Route. On a Thursday morning, we loaded up into a boat to set off in search of Common Eiders, sea ducks that spend most of their time along rocky seacoasts.

Our first stop is Jenny Island, which is where we see our first eider broods. These broods consist of mother hens and their offspring. The boat slows, and Helen and Logan look through their binoculars to get an accurate count of how many birds there are, and their ages. The eiders are identified based on their visual characteristics, such as the number of feathers they have, and how big they are compared to some of the adult eider hens.

BRI started a pilot project in 2016 to document eider survival in Casco Bay, and the project has continued ever since. During the eider brooding and nesting season, which occurs in May through July in Maine, BRI conducts weekly surveys to ascertain the location of the broods and record their age and survival.

Helen and Logan survey the eiders using binoculars as well as through radio telemetry. The eiders are tagged with nasal discs, two different ones with a single tag on each nostril, such as a pink triangle on the left and a blue circle on the right. These nasal discs are helpful throughout the survey season in re-identifying eider hens They also use radio telemetry to track specific eider hens that researchers have banded in previous years, to see where they have moved to.

We soon cruise up to Flag Island, which is one of the largest eider nesting sites in Maine. Once a privately owned island, the land now belongs to the state, and is managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fish & Wildlife for habitat protection. With all the development happening in Maine, it’s important to protect these natural areas, which are home to many important wildlife species. Flag Island is a particularly critical habitat for eiders but also for other seabirds such as terns and gulls. The island’s protected status helps ensure that these species have a safe place to breed and raise their young away from the disturbances of human activity and development.

After scoping out the islands along the coast, the boat picks up speed and moves toward more open waters. Helen and Logan keep their eyes peeled for eider broods. They call out the number of birds they see, and their respective ages. The broods range in size, some only 4 or 5 birds total, others may be as large as 20 or more birds.

The annual surveys show that the eiders do not stay in one place. BRI’s work has led to collaborations between U.S. and Canadian agencies to understand their distribution and migration patterns. Changing environmental factors, such as a warming Gulf of Maine, are threats to the eider population in Casco Bay.

Humans tend to have a vested interest in the conservation of ducks and seabirds that they find out on the water. When these bird populations get threatened, whether it be from human or natural causes, it impacts the entire ecosystem. By understanding the challenges that these birds face, we can develop strategies to mitigate those threats and ensure the survival of eiders for generations to come

Throughout our time on the water, Helen and Logan point out certain birds, such as cormorants and herons. Common Eiders, and seabirds in general, are part of the natural beauty of Casco Bay. The Common Eider work that BRI is doing is one of many initiatives that will help to monitor the species’ health and distribution, and is also indicative of the health of marine and coastal environments.

For more information and updates to the project, click here.

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Mark Burton- Bridging Expertise with Adventure
By Allison Foster, Science Communications Coordinator

Tucked around a corner in his office, you’ll often find Mark Burton, with a laser focus on his work. Mark walked through the doors of BRI seven years ago as an intern in the Center for Mercury Studies, working on the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis database. “I did not come into the position with a background in mercury, so it turned out to be a great introduction to the research conducted on mercury at a global scale.” says BRI’s data guru.

This experience has stayed with him as he continues to be involved in a variety of international mercury projects. Here, he plays a pivotal role in projects, particularly those tied to the Minamata Convention and the Open-Ended Scientific Group (OESG). The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a landmark global treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution.

Mark manages the OESG’s data repository, compiling global datasets on mercury emissions and releases. This data is crucial for the first Effectiveness Evaluation of the Minamata Convention, which aims to assess whether current policies are effectively reducing mercury pollution worldwide.

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“I really enjoy the diversity of projects that I get to be involved in, I feel like I am always learning something.” Mark’s extraordinary data analysis skills span beyond the Mercury Center, as he has become increasingly involved in CarbonSolve work. CarbonSolve is a U.S. based company that promotes the development of carbon projects around the world. “The two aspects are beginning to converge with a focus on the ‘triple planetary crisis’.” The triple planetary crisis refers to the three interlinked issues that humanity faces: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

In addition to his work with the Minamata Convention, Mark is a key player in BRI’s toxicology lab. He analyzes samples ranging from tropical bird feathers to Caribbean fish tissues, providing insights into mercury contamination levels in various ecosystems. His dual expertise in toxicology and geospatial science allows him to create a comprehensive picture of mercury distribution and its ecological impacts.

Mark’s expertise often takes him around the globe. He has been an integral part of the biodiversity surveys in Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania which have recently concluded their second year. “The opportunity to travel for our various projects is incredibly rewarding.” He recently was in Sri Lanka, meeting with officials from World Health Organization and United Nations Environment Program, for an inception meeting on “Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products”.

The demands of frequent travel require careful balance. “There is a need to balance travel with finding time for in-depth analyses and writing, which can be challenging with schedule demands while traveling,” Mark acknowledges. While he may be jet lagged, he will greet you with a smile.

Most recently, he traveled to Gabon, where he collaborated with government officials to set up a mercury monitoring laboratory for the Central Africa region. “We work with colleagues from around the world and seeing them in person is a great opportunity to cement those bonds and have discussions pushing projects forward that can be challenging during online meetings.” His travel days are filled with lab tours and meetings with government officials.

Looking to the future, Mark is excited about the upcoming projects in the Center for Mercury Studies and with CarbonSolve. “There is a lot happening right now, positioning us for some really fun and interesting projects that are coming down the pipeline,” he shares with a smile.

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Social Media: Gateway to Environmental Activism
By Allison Foster, Science Communications Coordinator

Leonardo DiCaprio—actor, producer, and activist? You got that right. DiCaprio uses his Instagram page to shed light on environmental issues. Scrolling through his Instagram, he shares articles about restoring forests in Madagascar, rewilding projects in Scotland, and salmon farms in Canada. His page not only informs people about environmental issues but encourages his followers to do the same.

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information. What began as a simple means to connect with friends and family has evolved into a powerful platform for activism and awareness. This transformation is particularly evident in the realm of environmentalism. As environmental challenges become more pressing, social media provides an essential tool for raising awareness, mobilizing support, and driving global action. From individual activists to large organizations, the power of social media to influence and inspire is undeniable.

Amplifying Environmental Voices

Social media brings people together. People have an outlet to share their voices and experiences and connect with others. From an environmental perspective, we’ve seen this happen significantly. Greta Thurnberg, the Swedish climate activist, has inspired collective climate activism and amplified her message through her social media platforms. On her Instagram account, @gretathurnberg, she has been leading climate protests for more than 300 weeks in a row, as a part of the Fridays for Future movement, with support from all around the world.

Beyond individual activists, numerous environmental organizations leverage social media to share their messages. For example, the World Wildlife Fund’s #EarthHour campaign, which encourages people to turn off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change, has gained massive traction through social media, reaching millions of participants globally.

Mobilizing for Environmental Action

Social media gives organizations the ability to facilitate environmental campaigns, protests, and petitions, enabling people to connect with like-minded individuals and amplify their voices for change. Hashtags like #ClimateAction, #SaveTheBees, and #PlasticFreeJuly have helped generate conversations and draw attention to pressing environmental concerns. Users can share articles, videos, and infographics about environmental issues quickly and easily, facilitating the spread of information to a large audience and raising awareness about topics such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and wildlife conservation.

How to Make a Difference

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with others and promoting environmental awareness. No doubt, it can be overwhelming. With the rise of social media, we’ve seen the rise of eco-anxiety, or climate anxiety. Eco-anxiety is the growing sense of worry and fear that many people feel when thinking about the state of our planet. On social media, we are increasingly exposed to information that can fuel these feelings. Despite these challenges, there are actionable steps that we can take to channel our passion for environmental activism.

Here are some key ways to use social media effectively:

Find your passion: Identify which environmental issues you care about the most. Whether it’s climate change, ocean conservation, or wildlife protection, knowing what you care about will keep you motivated.

Follow trusted sources: Make sure you’re getting accurate information by following trustworthy organizations and experts in the environmental field. They’ll keep you up to date on the latest news and actions you can take.

Get involved beyond social media: While social media is a great starting point, be sure to take your passion offline as well. Join local environmental groups, help clean up your area, or volunteer for conservation projects. These actions can have a big impact (especially at the local level).

In a world of environmental activism, social media isn’t just a platform for sharing content—it’s a catalyst for change. By sharing, engaging, and connecting online, we amplify our voices and inspire action on critical issues like climate change, loss of biodiversity, and sustainability. All it takes is one person to make a profound difference in the world.

Keep up to date with BRI on social media!

Follow us on Instagram – @biodiversityresearchinstitute

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Addressing Mercury Challenges on the Global Stage
By Deborah McKew, BRI Communications Director

BRI’s story began in 1989 with the capture of a loon on a Michigan lake. Back then, it was all about the science, but over time, founder Dave Evers began to understand that knowledge for knowledge’s sake wasn’t enough. As a conservation biologist, he felt a responsibility to share his scientific knowledge with those who needed his data to make informed decisions about environmental conservation.

This path came into focus more than two decades ago, when Dave presented his research findings at a Maine public hearing on mercury regulations sponsored by then Congressman Tom Allen. He also worked with Senator Susan Collins to present his mercury work on Capitol Hill. Fast forward 20 years, BRI is now a well-known and highly respected resource for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and to members of governments across the globe in the area of mercury research.

In late July 2024, BRI was a Gold Sponsor for the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP) held in Cape Town, South Africa. The Conference theme was From Minamata to Africa and Beyond: Addressing Mercury Challenges in Global Environmental Change. BRI staff participated in every aspect of the event:

• Dave Evers led a workshop on biomonitoring, the process of assessing the health of organisms and ecosystems and tracking changes in mercury risk and exposure over time. He also discussed mercury monitoring efforts that BRI has been working on over the years; BRI’s data is now being used by UNEP to aid in the goals of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

• Celia Chen, co-director of BRI’s Center for Mercury Studies, moderated a plenary session entitled Effectiveness Evaluation of the Minamata Convention, which highlighted the importance of collecting and analyzing mercury data to better understand the implementation and effectiveness of the Convention.

A second plenary session focused on Mercury and its Potential Impacts on Biodiversity with Dave Evers moderating a panel discussion that included the Minamata Convention Secretariat, Monika Stankiewicz, and representatives from UNEP, Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica – CINCIA (CINCIA), Wake Forest University (WFU), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Topics included the linkages between biodiversity initiatives and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining on biodiversity, and the empowerment of indigenous communities to find solutions.

• Mark Burton, BRI’s senior ecological analyst, participated as a panelist in discussions and as a member of the Convention’s Open-ended Scientific Group (OESG). He provided updates on the data collection process for the development of the OESG mercury database.

• At a special session on Mercury and Biodiversity, Tim Tear, director of BRI’s Center for Conservation and Climate Change, presented on the use of ecosystem sensitivity mapping to understand mercury threat levels.

• Chris Sayers, a tropical bird specialist, presented his research on mercury exposure in tropical birds and his work with BRI’s Tropical Research for Avian Conservation and Ecotoxicology (TRACE) project.
• BRI Researchers also presented two scientific posters:

• • Mark Burton presented on The intersection of global biodiversity priority areas and mercury threat, highlighting the impact of mercury on loss of biodiversity and the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention obligations to reduce mercury emissions and its subsequent impacts on biota.
  • Tahlia Ali Shah, BRI’s international environmental specialist, was the lead presenter on the poster, Supporting the phase out of mercury-added skin lightening products across the African, Asian, and Caribbean regions, which highlighted key activities for the UNEP/World Health Organization project, Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products (Jamaica, Gabon, and Sri Lanka). Throughout the conference, skin lightening products were underscored as a potentially major issue for future research.

Overall, the ICMGP 2024 provided a valuable platform to learn more about the work being done by researchers across the globe and to share the work that BRI researchers are doing.

Learn more about BRI’s Center for Mercury Studies here