Migratory Bird Treaty Act

This podcast of Squabbles of the Soil digs into the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, one of the oldest conservation laws in the United States. Some say that the MBTA is a crucial conservation law that has saved species from the brink of extinction and should not be changed, while others say it essentially handcuffs citizens from protecting their health and severely restricts what they can do to protect their property and livestock from protected species. Follow along with host speaker Laurel Ingalls and guest speakers Dick Preston and Justin Johnson to discover the reason why the MBTA was created, the positive effects it has had regarding conservation, some of the unintended consequences of the act, and more!

Objectives:

I can define the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
I can explain 2 positive and 2 negative consequences of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
I can identify health problems transmitted by birds

Pre-Viewing Questions:

List 4 things you know about the conservation of bird species
What is your current opinion on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act?
Why do you think the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is controversial?

Guided Questions:

What organization does our first guest work for?
To create the MBTA, the US entered into international conservation treaties with which 4 countries?
Birds must meet what criteria in order to be protected under the MBTA?
What diseases/health problems can birds transfer to humans?
According to our second guest, what kind of bird is omnivorous and can help with a sparrow problem?

Post-Listening Questions:
*Must be open-ended* *can be the same as pre-viewing questions*

What are 2 pros of the MBTA?
What are 2 cons of the MBTA?
What amendments, if any, do you feel should be made to the MBTA?