BBS Privacy Statement

Authority: Relevant acts include the Organic Act (43 U.S.C. 31 et seq., 1879); Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 703-712, July 3, 1918, as amended 1936, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1986, 1989, 1998, and 2004); Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 715-715s February 18, 1929, as amended 1935, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1994); The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 2901-2911, September 29, 1980, as amended 1982, 1986, 1988, 1990 and 1992) and other authorizations conveyed to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Purpose: The program collects the names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of program participants to communicate survey instructions and provide survey materials. Individuals who request the data collected by the program in a tailored format are asked to provide their name, email address, and telephone number to facilitate communication when technical issues arise.

Routine Uses: The National Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Office personnel will use this information to communicate essential program information to participants and to contact participants as needed regarding participation, sampling issues and observations submitted. State BBS Coordinators may also use the information to communicate with individuals who sample routes in their state regarding participation, sampling issues, and observations submitted. Unless participants elect to opt out, the National BBS Office and State Coordinators may publish participant names and sample locations in scientific papers to acknowledge their contributions, and in outreach materials to recognize participants’ program achievements and to share participants’ experiences. Personal information is not otherwise released.

Disclosure: Participation in the BBS is voluntary, and the majority of BBS website tools and services are available to all users without registration. However, for participants who wish to submit observations to the BBS or data users who request survey results in tailored formats, registration is required.