Climate change is contributing to the bird's vulnerability and could cause population declines.

For three decades, scientists and collaborators of the Puerto Rican Ladybird Recovery Project have worked hard to collect data for its conservation, but, over time, they have noticed an increase in the number of stressors affecting the populations of this bird, while the pre-existing ones have worsened.

Parasitism, atmospheric phenomena, habitat loss, food availability and high temperatures are some of the factors that impact it.

With Hurricane Maria as the backdrop, representatives from 114 universities in Puerto Rico, Japan, United States and Bahamas committed to creating a consortium to help redefine the rol of higher education institutions in the face of disaster and to foster community resilience. They were joined by more than 70 government agencies and non-profits. That was the conclusion of “RISE 2019 National Conference: Transforming University Engagement in Pre- and Post-Disaster Environments: Lessons from Puerto Rico”, recently held at the State University of New York in Albany.

Youth across Puerto Rico are leading marches, planting trees, cleaning natural areas and doing research projects, all as part of their efforts against climate change.

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