Conservation efforts have helped the Wisconsin Bald Eagle population rebound in a major way.
The Wisconsin Bald Eagle population has made a huge comeback since 1974. Maps from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources show just how many more Bald Eagles are in Wisconsin now compared to nearly 50 years ago.
The two maps compare aerial surveys of nests in 1974 and 2019. Back in the 70s, nests were only found in the northern part of the state. Today, nests cover the entire state.
The DNR said that there were 107 occupied eagle nests in 1974. In 2019, there were 1,684 occupied nests.
In a Facebook post, the DNR credits the population resurgence to a, "national ban on the pesticide DDT, added protections under state and federal endangered species laws, river cleanups under the Clean Water Act and public support of nest monitoring and protection efforts."
This map does show all the eagles in Wisconsin; rather, it is a depiction of the nests surveyed. The DNR suggests there are many more non-breeding and juvenile eagles that may not have permanent nests.
