The PIBO BIrd Centre | The Pelee Island Bird Observatory

COMING SOON! The new PIBO Bird Centre

RESEARCH EDUCATION CONNECTION

THE FUTURE

NOW

Hover over the image to flip between ‘Now’ and ‘The Future’!

The dream is taking flight. Construction of PIBO’s future home—a world-class bird conservation, research, and education destination on Pelee Island—is well underway. Foundations are set, the walls are rising, and by spring the building will be ready for its final interior and exterior finishing. We remain on schedule to open the new PIBO Bird Centre in 2026—a living legacy for birds, science, and all who care about the natural world.

The campaign goal has now grown to $3.5 million, reflecting what is needed to complete construction, open the doors, and launch the Centre’s start-up operations. Thanks to the generosity of early supporters, we are well over halfway there.

“My partner Graeme and I founded PIBO to lend a helping hand to Nature. We knew that tracking the ups and downs of migrating bird populations would provide a crucial snapshot of the well-being of the web of life on Planet Earth. With our ambitious plans for the future, PIBO will become a central node in the widespread field of migratory bird science. If wings vanished from the world, so would a universal symbol of hope and a source of profound awe and joy.”
— Margaret Atwood, Founding Honorary Chair

Every great migration begins with a first flight. This phase will bring the Bird Centre to life—future steps will sustain and carry its research and education mission for future generations.

Do you want to get involved?

Donate at Canada Helps, and tag your donation for the Bird Centre Capital Fund.

December 2024 Update Dear Honoured Donor, I have long owed you a personal thanks for your generous donation and an update on the PIBO Bird Centre Project. As you know, Pelee Island is a crucial pinch-point for bird migration during spring and fall, and the banding data we provide to the North American migration monitoring network helps us determine which species are in danger. This new Bird Centre will be a game-changer for PIBO.

May 2024 Official Announcement

At the Pelee Wings PIBO Bird Talk on Mother’s Day, Pelee Islanders became the first to learn about the Bird Centre project. Pelee Island Mayor Cathy Miller joined long-time PIBO supporters and guests from BirdLife International to applaud the development of the new bird centre, which will expand PIBO’s island research and education outreach, and promote our mission to make connections along the hemispheric flyway.

Winter 23/24 Demolition Begins!

After months of gathering ideas, Douglas Design Studio developed a design to transform the Bike Shop into a state-of-the-art living, working, and gathering space. During the winter, the Pelee Pros crew—islanders Chris Watson Jr., Cory Lehn, Ethan Gilmore, and owner Justin Harner—gutted the interior and jack-hammered out the floor. As soon as the permit for the septic system arrives, we’ll be off and running!

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous grant of $150,000, which has been crucial in addressing a significant community need through the development of our new Bird Centre on Pelee Island. This substantial contribution highlights the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit both environmental and community well-being. With this support, we are not only advancing our research and conservation efforts but also creating a vital community resource that will foster education, engagement, and appreciation for avian life. The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s investment is a powerful endorsement of our mission, and we are profoundly grateful for their role in helping us meet this important need.