About RINS
Due to funding issues in 2000, nests in Tooele, Rich, Utah, and Juab counties were to no longer be monitored by Bureau of Land Management biologists. Dr. Dawn W. Sebesta, who had been volunteering with the BLM biologists, thought that volunteer citizen scientists could easily provide the resources to monitor these nests. During the 2000 nesting season, Dr. Sebesta began enlisting volunteers and established the Raptor Inventory Nest Survey (RINS) which has continued to monitor nests across the state of Utah to this day.
Non-Profit Organization
The Raptor Inventory Nest Survey (RINS) 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to become involved as citizen scientists in a long-term nest monitoring project. RINS collects and manages critical data regarding the nesting ecology of eagles, falcons, hawks, osprey and owls in the state of Utah.
RINS’ Mission
Our mission is to ensure the success of nesting raptors and habitat protection through the collection of nesting data throughout the state of Utah. The collected monitoring data is utilized by land managers and partner organizations to help make informed land use and habitat decisions.
Impact
Each year 200 volunteers traverse the state of Utah, locating and monitoring nests of birds of prey during the spring nesting season. This 23 year effort has resulted in the largest comprehensive raptor database in the State of Utah with over 6,672 nests and 82,119 monitoring records.
Awards
See the several awards that RINS has received over the years.
Press
See a listing of the latest news articles featuring RINS.
History
Read the detailed, 23 year history of the RINS project and organization.
Raptor Inventory Nest Survey Board
Robyn MacDuff
Director, Chair of the Board
Wayne Peay
Treasurer
Bryan E. Hull
Vice Chair
Molly Welch
Secretary
Dan Webb
Board Member
Sharon Webb
Board Member
Gem Morris
Board Member
RINS Partnerships
RINS has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management since 2000. RINS’ data is utilized by land managers to help make informed decisions. RINS also collaborates with other organization’s environmental teams regarding issues of raptor and habitat protection.
Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Department of Defense
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Rocky Mountain Power
Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems
