Volunteers hatch thousands of bluebirds in Des Moines

More than 8,000 bluebird chicks have hatched via a volunteer habitat program in the Des Moines metro in the last nine years.

Why it matters: Conservation efforts are crucial for their survival.

• The birds nesting habitat — often in hallows of dead tress — has been disappearing or taken over by invasive species of birds.

Catch up fast: The program is coordinated through Des Moines Parks and Recreation started in 2014.

• In the first year there were 18 nesting boxes in two parks, resulting in 15 fledged bluebird chicks.

What's happening: This year there was more than 120 boxes in nine DSM locations — mostly parks and cemeteries, Joel Van Roekel, a parks supervisor, tells Axios.

• Another 400 boxes are in metro locations and overseen by other groups that have partnered in the program.

Worthy of your time: This video that highlights the program and the work of volunteers.

• People who want to help can email Van Roekel, [email protected]