[audubon-news] Audubon Newswire, Thursday, June 24
- From: "BIANCHI, John" <JBIANCHI@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
- Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 17:20:47 -0400
Audubon Newswire
Volume 2, Number 12
Thursday, June 24, 2004
In this issue:
-- Audubon Announces the Return of Project Puffin's 'Tern Cam'
-- Audubon's Greg Butcher Testifies Against Bill that Says "If it Flies, it
Dies"
-- Audubon, USFWS, and Louisiana Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Breton National
Wildlife Refuge
-- Audubon Condemns BLM Plan Opening Western Arctic Reserve
-- Audubon Connecticut Names Six New Important Bird Areas
-- New Southwest Utah Birding Trail Maps Now Available from Wasatch Chapter
-- Chapter Hosts First Annual Prairie Festival in Lubbock, Texas
-- See the USA: Audubon Nature Odysseys Features Trips to Lake Huron
-- American Land Conservation Fund Awards Competition Announced
-- Audubon Adventures Turns 20 this Autumn; New Brochure for Chapters and States
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Lights, Camera...Nature! Audubon Announces The Return Of The 'Tern Cam':
Project Puffin's Seabird Cam Gets Up Close And Personal With Common And Roseate
Terns
Hog Island, Maine, Thursday, June 24, 2004 - The Project Puffin seabird camera
is now beaming live-streaming video of Eastern Egg Rock's nesting Common and
Roseate Tern colonies, just off the Maine Coast. The tiny island is home to
the world's first restored puffin and tern colony and it is the largest colony
of endangered Roseate Terns in the state. This is the fifth year that the
camera has beamed real time video to the web; to watch, visit
www.projectpuffin.org <http://www.projectpuffin.org/> and click through.
The robotic camera was funded by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, and is the
invention of Daniel Zatz of SeeMore Wildlife systems. It transmits microwave
signals from the south end of Eastern Egg Rock to the Audubon Visitor Center in
Bremen, Maine, eight miles across Muscongus Bay. Currently, terns can be seen
incubating and hatching eggs. In mid-July, the camera location will shift to
enable viewers to see Atlantic Puffins. The camera will operate each morning
from 9-11 a.m. to insure a variety of views of all species within reach of the
powerful lens. Later in the summer, interns on the island will occasionally
provide on-line, narrated talks directly from Egg Rock bird blinds.
For more information, visit
<http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/Tern_Cam.html> and go directly to
<http://www.projectpuffin.org/eer_cameras.html> to watch live.
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Audubon's Greg Butcher Testifies Against H.R. 3320: "If if Flies, it Dies" Bill
Would Transfer Management of Migratory Birds from USFWS to APHIS
Washington, D.C., Thursday, June 24, 2004 - Gregory S. Butcher, Ph.D.,
Audubon's director of bird conservation, gave testimony today to the U.S. House
of Representatives against House Resolution 3320, the American Aquaculture and
Fishery Resources Protection Act. The bill would transfer management of
migratory bird populations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture
(APHIS).
"Audubon is opposed to H.R. 3320. This legislation proposes to strip away 85
years of migratory bird conservation progress under the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act by giving control over the take of migratory birds to an agency -APHIS-
that has no mandate to conserve populations of migratory birds. In addition,
the legislation proposes to exempt the Department of Agriculture from the
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for any desired
migratory bird management activities. The effect of this bill on migratory
birds is clear: If it flies, it dies.
"If passed, (this bill) would bring on killing of wild birds at a level we
haven't seen for more than 100 years. The ironic part is that scientific
research to date suggests that massive killing of fish-eating birds would
almost certainly be ineffective in protecting or increasing populations of
economically important fish. There is no quick fix for most wildlife damage
problems. We should all work together to find workable solutions, not sacrifice
long-held American values in a vain effort for a quick fix."
For Dr. Butcher's full testimony, please visit
<http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/If%20it%20flies%20it%20dies.html#TopOfPage>
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Audubon, USFWS, and Louisiana Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Breton National
Wildlife Refuge: America's Second Refuge is the Only One President Theodore
Roosevelt Visited
New Orleans, LA, Thursday, June 24, 2004 - A century ago this Friday, June
25th, President Theodore Roosevelt established Breton National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) at the urging of the National Audubon Society. A century later, the
refuge is celebrating its 100th birthday as it hosts a re-creation of
Roosevelt's historic 1915 Audubon-hosted expedition to the refuge - the only
refuge the President is known to have visited.
Tomorrow, Roosevelt's great-grandson Theodore Roosevelt IV, Audubon's Chief
Operating Officer Bob Perciasepe, and others will visit Breton to remember and
celebrate Roosevelt's historic 1915 trip. They will mark the importance of
Roosevelt's conservation legacy and Breton's vital role in protecting
Louisiana's besieged coastal wetlands. They will walk the beaches and work
with biologists to survey Eastern Brown Pelican nests, just as Roosevelt and
company did in 1915.
"I was very glad to have seen this bird refuge," wrote Roosevelt. "With care
and protection the birds will increase and grow tamer and tamer, until it will
be possible for any one to make trips among these reserves and refuges, and to
see as much as we saw, at even closer quarters. No sight more beautiful and
more interesting could be imagined." For more, visit
<http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/index.html> .
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Audubon Condemns Bureau Of Land Management's Harmful Plan For Arctic Reserve:
BLM Moves to Open 96% of Northeastern Reserve with Inadequate Environmental
Safeguards
Anchorage, Alaska, Wednesday, June 23, 2004 -- National Audubon Society voiced
its grave concern in response to the Bureau of Land Management announcement of
their intent to scrap the 1998 plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska
(NPR-A) and instead offer a new plan that would spare only four percent of the
Northeastern NPR-A for wildlife habitat and subsistence hunting grounds for
Native Alaskans.
"We are very disappointed with the Administration's decision to open such a
vast amount of sensitive wildlife habitat to oil and gas drilling," said Dr.
John Schoen, senior scientist with Audubon Alaska. "The Administration's
rationale for this weak environmental plan is based on disingenuous and
misleading premises; their statements don't square with what they are really
proposing. They are weakening, not strengthening, environmental protection."
The Bureau plans to make available 96% of the Northeast Plan Area for oil and
gas leases. Oil development in the sensitive wildlife habitats around
Teshekpuk Lake would irrevocably harm the migratory birds, particularly molting
geese, and caribou that call this area home. Visit
<http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/Alaska_Plan.html> for more
information.
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Audubon Connecticut And Connecticut DEP Announce Six State-Owned Sites Are
Named 'Important Bird Areas: Two Sites Identified As Globally Significant Areas
Milford, CT, Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - Audubon Connecticut today announced six
new Important Bird Areas (IBAs) located on the state coastline. All sites are
state-owned and under the management of the Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP).
"I'm thrilled that DEP's stewardship of these properties has contributed to
their designation as IBA's." said David Leff, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP.
"Connecticut residents are really fortunate to be able to enjoy such important
natural resources right in their back yards".
The sites include some of the best-known birding destinations in the state:
Milford Point in Milford, and Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. In
addition, these sites contain some of the most important bird habitats in the
state, serving as critical rest stops for thousands of migratory shorebirds on
their long annual journeys. Some contain nesting sites for birds of global
conservation concern, such as Piping Plover and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow,
both listed as globally vulnerable by BirdLife International. For information
on each site, and the Connecticut IBA program, visit
<http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/CT_IBA_04.html#TopOfPage>
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Southwest Utah Birding Trails Map is Now Available Through Wasatch Audubon
Chapter
Salt Lake City, UT, Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - Audubon and numerous project
sponsors are pleased to announce the Southwest Utah Birding Trails Map is now
available to the public. The full-color map provides information on almost 50
sites with great birding in Southwest Utah. The map includes driving
directions to each site, types of habitat, peak seasons to visit, and bird
species that may be seen. The map is available upon request through any of the
sponsors for $2 plus shipping costs, or at www.wasatchaudubon.org
<http://www.wasatchaudubon.org> - where it can be viewed in its entirety.
The Southwest Utah Birding Trails map is the second of a three-part series
highlighting the best birding locations in Utah. The first map in the series,
the Great Salt Lake Birding Trails Map, was published in 2001. Keith Evans, a
member of Wasatch Audubon Society in Ogden, was the main author of the
Southwest map as well as the Great Salt Lake Birding Trails Map. Evans worked
with numerous expert birders in Southwest Utah to develop site information for
the map.
"Birding trail maps are an excellent way to help people enjoy the outdoors,"
explains Wayne Martinson, Utah Important Bird Areas Coordinator for National
Audubon Society. "Also, by becoming more appreciative of wild birds,
individuals are more likely to work towards saving these wonderful resources
for the future."
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Llano Estacado Audubon Society Hosts Prairie Festival in Lubbock, August 21 & 22
Lubbock, TX, Thursday, June 24, 2004 - The First Annual Prairie Festival will
be held August 21 and 22, 2004, in Lubbock it was announced today by the Llano
Estacado Audubon Society. The festival, which is sponsored by the Chapter,
features activities for guests of all ages celebrating the importance of the
prairie and will raise awareness of the prairie's critical role as a home for
birds, wildlife, and people.
The festival offers activities and displays for children as well as adults,
with food and drinks, live animals, hands-on activities, merchandise, and
educational information. There will be speakers and displays on prairie
science, ecology, and restoration, and field trips to several sites around
Lubbock featuring up-close views of the prairie and its inhabitants, especially
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, will be a centerpiece of the festuval.
"Prairie dogs are the anchor species for the prairie system: when they are
gone, so go the species associated with them, such as Burrowing Owls and
Ferruginous Hawks," said Jill Haukos, Conservation Chair of Llano Estacado
Audubon Society. "Prairie dog colonies are continually at risk from poisoning
and habitat loss. We're very concerned about the current attitude that often
views the prairie dog as a nuisance that is best eradicated. To counter these
negative views, we'd like to spark the interest and the curiosity of the public
about the importance of the prairie in our lives."
For complete information, visit <http://www.leas.bizland.com/prairiefest.htm> .
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Audubon Nature Odysseys Offers Grand Tour of Lake Huron
Port Huron, Michigan, Thursday, June 24, 2004 - This summer, Audubon Nature
Odysseys is offering a trip originating here aboard one of the first passenger
ships to sail the Great Lakes in over three decades. Travelers will tour
around nearly the entire perimeter of Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay, and will
have opportunities to experience some of the area's notable bird life.
The seven-day excursion (July 10 - July 17) begins in Port Huron, MI, where
passengers board the 102-berth Nantucket Clipper. Stops include Goderich,
Tobermory, and Midland in Ontario, as well as Little Current, Manitoulin
Island, and finally, Mackinac Island, Michigan. Audubon's guests enjoy tours
of colonial Canada, a glass-bottom boat tour through Big Tub Harbor, the Wye
Marsh Conservation site, and ample time for independent exploration in search
of birds. Audubon's Tom Hissong, education coordinator at the Aullwood Audubon
Center and Farm near Dayton, Ohio, leads the trip. The talented and
experienced crew, guides, and staff of the Clipper will also be available to
answer questions along the way.
For more information on this scenic cruise around Lake Huron, contact Beth Ryan
at 800/967-7425 or visit
<http://www.audubon.org/market/no/trips/huron/index.html> .
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American Land Conservation Awards Competition Announced: Deadline for
Applicants is July 21, 2004
Arlington, VA, Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - The Conservation Fund and the Catto
Charitable Foundation have announced a call for applicants for The American
Land Conservation Award, given each year to an unsung hero working as a
volunteer in his or her community on land and water issues.
This is the largest cash prize in conservation; the winner receives $50,000.
The Conservation Fund and the Catto Foundation ask that individuals and groups
who work with volunteers nominate their environmental heroes for this
significant recognition. The deadline for applications is July 21, and easy to
fill out forms are available at <http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2187>
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Audubon Adventures Turns 20 this Autumn; New Promotional Brochure is Available
for Chapters and State Offices
New York, NY, Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - Audubon Adventures, which celebrates its
20th Anniversary this autumn, is offering a new brochure that it would like to
distribute far and wide. Designed to be a tool to help Chapters and centers
promote Audubon Adventures to local schools, the new brochure is available now.
To order a free supply of this new brochure, send a request with your mailing
address to education@xxxxxxxxxxxx or call 800/813-5037.
To mark the 20th anniversary, Audubon Adventures is now available in
pre-packaged kits in 4 different classroom editions. And, for the 20th
Anniversary edition of Adventures, Education is offering customers the ability
to order the Audubon Adventures kit of their choice. The new "Pick and Pack
Your Own Resource Kit" edition makes more than 30 different nature topics
available to Adventures classrooms.
To order call 800-340-6546 or view the product line at
www.audubon.org/educate/aa <http://www.audubon.org/educate/aa>.
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