Case Study: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) achieves evidence-based, data-driven conservation with SAS

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds uses SAS® to help safeguard wildlife

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, faces complex threats to bird populations—from commercial fishing, pesticides and intensive farming to climate-driven changes in ocean temperatures. Researchers collect enormous, varied data sets (for example, millions of tracking points from tagged seabirds) and needed robust, evidence-based analysis to diagnose problems, test interventions and inform policy and planning decisions.

For more than a decade RSPB has used SAS analytics to integrate and analyze tagging data, sea-surface temperatures and other sources, enabling replicated experiments and simulations that reveal causes and solutions. That work has clarified the effects of cropping and pesticides on skylarks and yellowhammers, guided development of fast-sinking fishing hooks to cut albatross deaths, and produced research relied on by governments and industry when planning infrastructure and energy projects—strengthening RSPB’s ability to deliver effective, evidence-based conservation.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Will Peach

Head of Research Delivery