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Reolink Supports Owl Conservation at SUNY Morrisville
The State University of New York Morrisville receives donation from Reolink to advance on-campus conservation efforts for the barn owl, eastern screech-owl, and the northern saw-whet owl.
Eastern screech owl. Credit: Rick Hamilton
Reolink and National Wildlife Federation are teaming up again to help college students capture and research owl activity on campus with a goal of advancing conservation and increasing awareness of these bird species.
In some areas across the United States, cavity-nesting owl populations, including the American barn owl, have declined. One reason for this decline is loss of nesting habitat, including standing, dead timber that is perfect for some owl species to find a safe space for their young.
In 2024, Morrisville’s environmental sciences department, in collaboration with their sustainability council, launched the Owl Conservancy Project. Over the last two years on Earth Day, students, faculty, staff, and community members have built more than 20 owl boxes to place around campus to provide safe habitat for their owls within the more than 1,000 acres of college woodland. The campus is home to the American barn owl (Tyto alba), the eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio), and the northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus).
This 2026-2027 academic year, through a donation of the Reolink TrackMix LTE, students studying wildlife management will be able to observe owls on campus.
The dual-lens, 4K camera provides expansive 360° coverage, intelligent animal tracking, and reliable 4G LTE connectivity, making it ideal for remote locations without Wi-Fi or traditional power sources.
The video footage collected will help answer some of the research group’s key questions, including are the nest boxes being used by any of the three target species, what other animals are using the boxes, is the use by other animals creating competitive interference to the box use by owls, and are there extrinsic factors which are prohibiting box use by owls.
Additionally, students enrolled in the environmental interpretation and education course will develop signage, programming, and educational materials to promote owl conservation.
About Reolink
Reolink offers smart security solutions for homes and businesses, aiming for a seamless security experience with its wide range of products. Serving millions globally, it provides video surveillance and protection, standing out for its commitment to security technology innovation.
For more information about Reolink, please visit the website.
About National Wildlife Federation
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, educators, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.
For more information about National Wildlife Federation, please visit our website.
Written by Kristy Jones
