Nearly 30 years ago, a simple question sent University of Washington researchers into the Puget Sound lowlands to look for birds. They found that when developments preserved native vegetation and tree cover between homes, a wider variety of bird species remained. “This work shows that birds care how land is developed, which gives developers a choice during the planning process. Earlier this year, Birds Connect Seattle issued a report describing declines in bird abundance and diversity throughout the city. “It’s becoming less and less profitable to keep land for timber than it is to sell it for home development,” DeLap said.