By Karla Falk, Community Grant Coordinator
We are excited to announce the 2026 recipients of the Birds Canada Community Grant, whose inspiring projects will work to propel bird conservation forward to protect the birds we love.
The Community Grant builds on the legacy of the James L. Baillie Fund, which was established in 1976. Donations to the fund have been raised through Birdathon, Canada’s longest-running community-based fundraiser for bird conservation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Let’s have a look at some of the exciting projects that Birdathon dollars are supporting!
Eastern Bluebird. Photo: Marielle Taylor
Congratulations to the following 2026 recipients:
South Island Bird Research Network, British Columbia, will use Motus tags to address critical knowledge gaps in the breeding ecology and migration behavior of Violet-green Swallow populations near Victoria. Their study will foster community-led research by integrating local participants (community, university students, conservation groups) into all stages of the study design, and implementation through a series of workshops and training sessions.
Nature Nova Scotia will use their funding to continue and expand their long-term community science waterbird monitoring in the Halifax and Sydney Harbours. Their data will contribute to the Nature Counts database, and they will run outreach events to engage with local volunteers and the public.
Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, will use their funding as part of a larger habitat restoration project to restore Barn Swallow habitat through the repair and maintenance of a disused barn previously identified as supporting 30-40 nests. They will also create Chimney Swift habitat through the construction of a new roosting chimney on the same property.
Fundy Biosphere Region, New Brunswick, will use their funding to conduct surveys for Bicknell’s Thrush – a rare umbrella species listed as threatened in Canada – in Fundy Trail Provincial Park. The habitat has undergone recent changes due to spruce beetle outbreaks, transitioning it to conditions often associated with Bicknell’s Thrush breeding success.
Nature Barrie, Ontario, will use their funding to repair and replace nest boxes in need of maintenance that are part of a system of over 100 monitored next boxes on the Nature Barrie Bluebird Trail. These boxes not only provide vital habitat for the Eastern Bluebird, but also Tree Swallows and House Wrens.
South Shore Public Libraries, Nova Scotia, will use their funding to create birding backpacks with binoculars and learning resources to be put into circulation, serving a population of 65,000 in the southern Nova Scotia region.
We are excited to see all the continuing impacts these projects will have for birds in 2026 and beyond!
A big thank you to all Birdathon participants, whose energy and passion raised funds for this important work. We would also like to thank our external Grant Review Committee volunteers who generously shared their time and expertise to review applications. We received many high-quality applications, demonstrating a strong interest in bird conservation across Canada, and would like to thank all applicants for their time applying and the work they are doing for birds.
Stay tuned for more details on the next grant cycle, including application priorities and deadlines. More information can be found here.
If you are interested in supporting more projects like the ones above, please register for our 50th annual Birdathon or sponsor a participant! Registration opens on our website in mid-March.