Recognizing the importance of purple martins to United States ecosystems, tourism, and history by designating August 10, 2024, as “Purple Martin Conservation Day”.

Recognizing the importance of purple martins to United States ecosystems, tourism, and history by designating August 10, 2024, as “Purple Martin Conservation Day”.

Whereas purple martins (Progne subis) are the largest swallows in North America and have 3 subspecies that are unique to North and South America;

Whereas, every year, approximately 8,700,000 purple martins migrate from South America to North America for breeding season, visiting 48 out of 50 States, as well as portions of southern Canada and Mexico;

Whereas, beginning in July of each year, adult and juvenile purple martins congregate at roosts and migrate to South America for the winter months;

Whereas, thousands of years ago, Native Americans began providing man-made dwellings for purple martins after recognizing their utility as pest and insect regulators;

Whereas habitat loss and the spread of non-native invasive bird species have pushed purple martins to transition to man-made dwellings, upon which purple martins now depend for survival east of the Rocky Mountains;

Whereas, in the face of population decline, successful conservation efforts of modern birders in the United States have helped the purple martin to remain a species of least concern; and

Whereas, in 2024, there are more than 220,000 active purple martin colonies across the United States that offer aesthetic benefits, foster tourism, maintain ecological diversity, and provide immense educational opportunity for children and adults alike: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,