A recently published study in Science reports that there are nearly three billion fewer birds in North America than there were in the 1970s. This news follows reports of declining insect populations and the overwhelming, far-reaching effects of climate change. What does it mean for Maine birds? How can we help?

Mid-Coast Audubon will host its monthly learning events online this fall in partnership with the Camden Public Library. Join us on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. to hear National Audubon’s Dr. Jeff Wells take a closer look at these subjects, stories of hope, and how all of us can push for positive changes that deal with these issues. To register for the event, please email Julia Pierce at jpierce@librarycamden.org to request the Zoom login information.

Dr. Wells is one of the nation’s leading bird experts, a conservation biologist focusing on protection of Canada’s Boreal Forest region and author of “Birder’s Conservation Handbook.” He was part of the author team of the forthcoming book, “Birds of Maine” that was a project of well-known Maine ornithologist, the late Peter Vickery. Jeff and his wife Allison Childs Wells, author the weekly column “A Bird’s Tale” in the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper. Jeff and Allison are co-authors of the books “Maine’s Favorite Birds” and “Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.”