MNBC COLLISION CORPS

Photo: iStock/Larisa Sviridova

Photo: iStock/Larisa Sviridov

Uncovering the Hidden Toll. Advancing Local Solutions.

Become a Collision Corps Volunteer

Join the MNBC Collision Corps and help save lives during spring and fall migration seasons. Volunteers play a crucial role in identifying problem areas, collecting data, and helping injured birds get the care they need.

What You’ll Do

  • Monitor a designated route each morning for 7 consecutive days.

  • Document collisions using a simple app and photographs.

  • Rescue injured birds and transport them to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center or nearest licensed wildlife rehabber.

  • Contribute to science, awareness, and policy change.

Requirements

  • Be at least 14 years old (volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)

  • Comfortable handling deceased birds and following bird-safe protocols

  • Able to transport injured birds to the MN Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

  • Follow all safety guidelines for both human and bird welfare

  • Take and upload photos of birds or collision sites

  • Submit data through our easy-to-use app

  • Be reliable during your assigned 7-day monitoring period (same time each day)

Our volunteer-powered research program conducts systematic field studies in both spring and fall migration seasons to gather real-world data that can inform change. We're currently focused on four key studies:

  • The Skyway Study – Examining bird strikes on Minneapolis skyways in the wake of new bird-safe ordinances.

  • Mississippi River Critical Corridor Study – Investigating collisions along this major migratory flyway.

  • Known High-Risk Buildings Study – Targeting buildings with documented collision histories to assess patterns and effectiveness of existing mitigations.

  • Suburban Office Park Study – A groundbreaking initiative to assess the country’s most dangerous (and overlooked) building type for birds: mid-rise offices surrounded by landscaping and reflective glass.

Time Commitment

Monitoring routes typically take about 30–60 minutes per survey, depending on location.

Volunteers commit to seven consecutive days during spring and fall migration (roughly mid-April to early June, and mid-August to mid-October).

MNBC will help partner people up to create teams for safety and convenience.

Ready to get involved? Fill out our quick volunteer form to let us know you’re interested in Lights Out Alert Minnesota — and we’ll be in touch soon!

Submit Volunteer Interest Form