New York State Bureau of Wildlife Endangered Species Unit Bald Eagle Program Files

Unarranged.

In 1976, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation launched one of the most comprehensive bald eagle restoration programs in the nation, designed to return breeding bald eagles to all portions of the state still suitable for their existence. Prior to the program's inception, New York's bald eagle population was witness to catastrophic decline due to the widespread, indiscriminate use of pesticides like DDT and other environmental pollutants. The additional destruction of nesting sites, human intrusions and disturbances, and shootings resulted in just one active eagle nest across the state by 1975. This project was initiated with the goal of successfully rehabilitating the bald eagle population statewide and was the first of its kind nationwide. Staff members of the Endangered Species Unit served as project administrators and led major research efforts throughout duration of program.

This series documents the ten-year duration of the New York State Bald Eagle Restoration Program and the correlated research efforts that led to the successful rehabilitation of New York's bald eagle population. Records also document the continuation of bald eagle monitoring following the completion of the initial ten-year program, highlighting established nesting sites across New York State up until 2012. Records include correspondence, photographs, field notes, survey data, memorandums, and observation reports.

This series was transferred under RDA 22904.

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