The Avian Research and Education Institute (AREI) is a non-profit organization (501C3) dedicated to the protection and conservation of avian populations. Our mission is to enhance avian populations through research, education and advocacy. To this end, AREI is committed to establishing biological stations that will provide bird banding and environmental education to the public. The specific research goals of AREI are to monitor migratory and breeding bird populations through banding and molecular studies. The specific education goals are to provide a “classroom without walls” to students of all ages and, educate students and community members on the environmental and conservation issues affecting avian populations. The specific advocacy goals are to use the knowledge gained from research to better manage bird populations and habitat and, to design land management strategies that will enhance our natural heritage. Our staff currently includes: an Executive Director, a Research and Education Director, 1 Master Bander, 1 Assistant Bander, and an extremely talented and dedicated crew of volunteers. AREI has a dedicated Board of Directors who selflessly contribute their time and energy to guide us in reaching our goals.
Where We Band
Bird banding occurs at two biological stations: the Hueston Woods Biological Station (HWBS) located in Hueston Woods State Park in Butler/Preble Counties, Ohio and at the Miami University Bird Observatory (MUBO) located in Pfeffer Woods, Oxford, OH. We are in the process of establishing other biological stations throughout the Miami Valley of SE Indiana and SW Ohio. If you want to learn more, visit one of our banding stations, or volunteer.
Education Programs
One of AREI's missions is to enhance the appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds and their habitats through education. We are actively involved in educating people of all ages throughout Ohio and Indiana. Each year, many school children and other visitors come to the banding stations to learn about AREI's work and how they, as individuals, can help birds. Several students are engaged in class projects which utilize data acquired at the banding stations. Additionally, AREI staff makes a variety of presentations about birds and conservation throughout the area. Find out more by visiting our Education page.
Our Brief History
AREI is based in College Corner, Ohio and was established in 2004 through the vision and leadership of Directors Drs. Jill and David Russell. The first bird was banded in April of 2004.
Having birded Hueston Woods for years, Dave and Jill thought they had a pretty good handle on the birds living and migrating through Hueston Woods. One day they were introduced to Master Bander Tim Tolford, and their interest was piqued! They spent a year training with Tim and then, working as subpermittes under Tim’s license, they set up their banding station at Hueston Woods State Park. It all began as two avid birders putting up 10 nets and using a folding table as a banding station. To their surprise, they discovered unbelievably more species by banding than they had ever found bird watching. Catbirds were in abundance! They had to get more nets and cover more area… By the end of 2004, 30 nets were put up every day. Soon friends and colleagues were asking to come to the banding station. Students from Miami University, the Talawanda School District and various birding groups began visiting the station. An old picnic table was donated by the Park management. A screened in tent was purchased to keep the mosquitoes and sun away. Suddenly, their avocation became a vocation. Not that it paid any salary, but they found themselves teaching more and more people about birds every day. Guests began wanting to donate to the costs involved in running the banding station, and the Avian Research and Education Institute was born.
