Meet the newest EBCC Board member: Nicholas Strebel

At the EBCC conference in Riga, we welcomed three new enthusiastic Board members. We wish to express our gratitude to Mattia Brambilla (Italy), Dimitrije Radišić (Serbia) and Nicholas Strebel (Switzerland) for their decision to join the EBCC Board, and help us guide the work of the EBCC in the upcoming years. In our last edition, we would like to introduce you to Nicholas Strebel, from Swiss Ornithological Society, his background and what he hopes to achieve within his first term as Board member.

Nicholas, what is your research field, what are you focusing on within your institution?

My work centres on monitoring bird populations in Switzerland and beyond, with a particular focus on trends and distribution patterns. I’m especially interested in how citizen science data can be harnessed to generate reliable insights into biodiversity change. This includes developing and applying innovative methods to account for biases and data gaps. Understanding these dynamics is essential for prioritizing conservation efforts. A key part of my work is also communicating these findings effectively to a wide range of stakeholders, including volunteers, authorities and the general public.

What motivated you to join the EBCC Board?

The EBCC plays a pivotal role in strengthening our understanding of bird populations across Europe. By combining data from diverse monitoring efforts, it builds a continental picture of changes in bird populations. I’m motivated by the opportunity to support and advance this mission, using rigorous science to inform how populations and ecosystems are evolving.

What would you like to focus on within the EBCC?

I see great potential in deepening our understanding of large-scale trends in European bird populations. My aim is to contribute that the wealth of observation data gathered across Europe is used to its full potential, leading to robust insights into avian population developments.

What do you see as opportunities and challenges for your first EBCC Board period?

One ongoing challenge is maintaining public and political awareness of the importance of a healthy environment and rich biodiversity as the foundation of our well-being. At the same time, we’re beginning to see signs of recovery in some species and regions – proof that conservation can work. A key opportunity for the EBCC is to communicate both the importance of action and the evidence that conservation efforts can yield positive results.

Anything else you would like to share regarding your role in EBCC?

Across Europe, at least tens of thousands of people contribute bird observations every year. This enormous collective effort provides a unique opportunity to track and understand how nature is changing. One of the EBCC’s strengths lies in turning this wealth of data into knowledge that can inform conservation and policy. I look forward to contributing to this work—highlighting both progress and remaining challenges for bird populations in Europe and beyond.