Prairie and grassland habitats in central and western North America have declined substantially since settlement by Europeans (Knopf 1994) and many of the birds and other organisms that inhabit North American grasslands have experienced steep declines (Peterjohn and Sauer 1999; Johnson and Igl 1997; Sauer, Hines, and Fallon 2007). The species addressed here, Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii), Grasshopper (Ammodramus savannarum) and Baird’s (A. bairdii) sparrows, and Chestnut-collared Longspurs (Calcarius ornatus), are grassland birds that are of special conservation concern throughout their ranges due to declining populations and the loss of the specific grassland habitats required on both their breeding and wintering ranges (Knopf 1994, Davis and Sealy 1998, Davis 2003, Davis 2004, Jones and Dieni 2007). Population-trend data on grassland birds, while clearly showing declines, provides no information on the causes of population declines. Without demographic information (i.e., productivity and survivorship), there are no means to determine when in their life cycle the problems that are creating these declines are occurring, or to determine to what extent population trends are driven by factors that affect birth rates, death rates, or both (DeSante 1995). For migratory birds, population declines may be driven by factors on breeding grounds, during migration, and/or on wintering grounds. Lack of data on productivity and survivorship thus impedes the formulation of effective management and conservation strategies to reverse population declines (DeSante 1992). Furthermore, if deficiencies in survivorship are revealed, management strategies may need to address habitats on both breeding and non-breeding grounds, as well as along migratory pathways. One technique that helps inform management strategies is the biochemical analysis of isotopes and genetic markers, from the sampling of individual feathers from live birds (Smith et al. 2003, Pérez and Hobson 2006; Appendix). Determining demographic parameters and effectively sampling feathers to reveal connectivity between breeding and wintering grounds requires detailed knowledge of molt patterns and age determination criteria for the target species, in the hand. For example, productivity, survivorship, and territory acquisition may all be age-dependent, with first-year birds showing different patterns and responses than older birds. In many cases it may be possible to sample both a feather grown on the breeding grounds and one grown on the wintering grounds from a single individual, but knowledge of age-specific molt patterns, as well as an ability to recognize different feather generations, is needed to accomplish such a task. While some information on molt and aging criteria exists for grassland passerine species (Pyle 1997a), these species have been rarely captured during mark-recapture studies (Jones et al. 2007) and this information thus needs refining. There is a need for additional resources to assist field workers in determining molt patterns and age in captured individuals. Our objective is to describe molt and aging criteria for four grassland passerine species with the aid of digital photographs taken in the field. We hope that this document will be useful for researchers studying grassland species through capture and banding of live individuals on either the breeding or the wintering grounds. We present a general section on molt and aging techniques, followed by specific accounts for the four species treated: Sprague’s Pipits, Grasshopper and Baird sparrows, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. We also provide a brief protocol on collecting feather samples (Appendix).

Molt and Aging Criteria for Four North American Grassland Passerines

Science & Math

Ruth, Janet M.

Jones, Stephanie L.

Pyle, Peter

Biological Sciences

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

The Giving Challenge will show you how you can make a difference, without a lot of time or money. In the process, you'll learn to lead a richer life. - Harvey McKinnon, co-author, The Power of Giving A simple challenge for a richer life What began as a New Year's resolution, a challenge to give a daily gift for a month, thrust Stephanie into an adventure--from befriending a crying stranger at the airport to giving away a pencil collection she started as a child. One month turned into 500 days, and five years later Stephanie's daily giving is a way of life, changing her in ways she never imagined. The Giving Challenge inspires you to focus on others for forty days. What you'll discover will surprise you and delight others! Stephanie shares some of her favorite gifts and stories from her journey, including stories from people like you, who dared to dream about the power of giving, and put their dreams into action.

The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

WestBow Press

Do you want to make a change in your life, but you don't know where start? Your time is limited, money is tight, and you feel anxious and depressed because of the negative news and social media. You think, "I should be happier."Stephanie understands feeling pulled in a million directions without finding fulfillment. What began as a New Year's challenge to give a daily gift for a month, thrust Stephanie into an adventure--that lasted 522 consecutive days Now Stephanie's every day giving is a way of life. Giving with no expectations, opens the door for more giving (and receiving), for understanding the power of gratitude and for the possibility of living out your big dreams.By committing to the 40-Day Giving Challenge by finding ways to focus on others instead of yourself, your relationships will strengthen, your marriage will improve, you'll find ways to get organized, save money and help out those in need. What you'll discover will surprise you and delight others. Now is your time. Take the challenge today

The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to Happier, Healthier, and More Content Life

Self-Help

Motivational

Giving Gal Press

Do you want to make a change in your life, but you don’t know where start? Your time is limited, money is tight, and you feel anxious and depressed because of the negative news and social media. You think, “I should be happier.” 
Stephanie understands feeling pulled in a million directions without finding fulfillment. What began as a New Year’s challenge to give a daily gift for a year thrust Stephanie into an adventure—that lasted 522 consecutive days! Now Stephanie’s everyday giving is a lifestyle. Giving with no expectations opens the door for more giving (and receiving), for understanding the power of gratitude, and for the possibility of living out your big dreams. 
By committing to the 40-day giving challenge and learning ways to focus on others instead of yourself, you might find relationships strengthened, marriages improved, and ways to get organized, save money, and help those in need. What you’ll discover will surprise you and delight others. Now is your time. Take the challenge today!

Happiness

Thank-You Notes to God: A Prayer & Gratitude Journal

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Crafts & Hobbies

Thank-You Notes to God is a journal to help you:	*Focus on the word of God by providing you a daily Bible verse	*Quickly document moments in your life you do not want to forget *Thank God for the blessings in your life *Grow your relationship with God through prayerInvest a few minutes a day and experience the power of prayer and gratitude.

When Giving Gal hosts her annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza, she is excited for her new friend, Tianna, to join in on the fun. Initially, the day doesn’t go as planned. But Giving Gal persists in giving encouragement, showing kindness, and making sure her friend feels included. 
This beautifully illustrated, heartfelt story reminds us of the power of our strengths and how, when we come together, magical moments happen.

Giving Gal and the Christmas Cookie Extravaganza

Children's Books

Holidays & Celebrations

Giving Gal, LLC

Does the Christmas season leave you exhausted, empty, and longing for something simpler? Are you dreading the rush, the shopping and spending, the commercialism, the stress of expectations, and the hollowness of what the season has become? Stephanie L. Jones invites you to pause from the hustle and bustle of the "world's" Christmas as she helps you take a deeper look at God's Christmas story. Uncommon Christmas gives you a new perspective of the people and events of the first Christmas. In the end, you'll see, experience, and celebrate, in awe, God's greatest gift, like you never have before.

Uncommon Christmas: 31 Days to Seeing, Experiencing, and Celebrating Christmas Like You Never Have Before

The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, and More Content Life

Independently published

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Books by Jones, Stephanie L.