RALEIGH -- The state's Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation is working to make sure airports and communities do what they can to reduce the number of incidents involving wildlife and planes.

Bobby Walston with the  Division of Aviation  says citizens can also do their part in protecting wildlife and increasing aviation safety by notifying airports of any construction or disturbance they plan near airport property. Pilots can also help by reporting any "strikes" they experience.

"It just helps feed this national database and provide information where problems are. It helps guide the FAA in terms of some things that they do to deal with this."

According to the FAA, wildlife strikes have killed more than 255 people and destroyed more than 243 aircraft since 1988.