Audubon Ohio News - December 23, 2002
- From: "SINGER, Deborah" <DSINGER@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'audubonoh-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <audubonoh-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2002 10:57:26 -0500
Audubon Ohio News - December 23, 2002
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM EVERYONE AT AUDUBON OHIO!
CONTENTS
1. Comment Period Opens on Cerulean Warblers
2. Birding Trails & Festivals Project Comes to Successful Completion
3. WINTER ON THE WILDS-an Important Bird Area
4. NAS Educational Farm Symposium, January 30-February 1, 2003
1. Comment Period Opens on Cerulean Warblers
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has opened a comment period to
allow the general public to provide information on listing the cerulean
warbler as "threatened" on the Endangered Species List. This is a positive
step towards getting this songbird the protections it needs to survive! The
comment period will close on January 21, 2003.
The cerulean warbler - a small woodland songbird known for its bright blue
plumage and distinctive song - was once common in eastern forests. But over
the last 30 years, the species has declined more than 70%, and 80% in the
core of its range! Cerulean warblers range across eastern North America,
from the Great Plains, north to Minnesota, east to Massachusetts, and south
to Louisiana. It breeds primarily in the Ohio and Mississippi River basins -
and spends winter months in the Andes Mountains of South America.
Unfortunately, due to habitat destruction in both its breeding and wintering
ranges, primarily because of development, logging, roadbuilding and, more
recently, mountaintop removal mining, the cerulean warbler has become one of
the fastest disappearing birds in the United States!
Now the general public has until January 21, 2003 to provide additional
information to the USFWS as to why the cerulean warbler should be included
as "threatened" on the Endangered Species List. Such listing will provide
the species protections under the Endangered Species Act and an earnest
effort at recovering the species can begin. If you have information on
present or threatened destruction or modification of cerulean warbler
habitat, or other information illustrating the need to protect the species,
please do not miss this opportunity to share it with the USFWS! Be sure to
submit your comment by the January 21 deadline! Comments and any supporting
materials should be directed to: Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field
Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 608 East Cherry Street, Room 200,
Columbia, MO 65201, or FAX: 314-876-1914. For more information on the
process, log onto the USFWS website at:
http://midwest.fws.gov/Endangered/birds/cerw_find.html
2. Birding Trails & Festivals Project Comes to Successful Completion
To assist communities in capitalizing on this trend and deriving economic
benefits from conserving their natural areas, Audubon Ohio in January 2000
launched its Birding Trails and Festivals (BT&F) Project. The goal of the
project was to promote birding trails and festivals throughout Ohio. Audubon
Ohio provided workshops to help communities develop these tourist
activities. Workshops were funded with the assistance of the Ohio Division
of Wildlife, the Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF), and the Cleveland
Foundation.
The Audubon Ohio BT&F Project accomplished its goals more rapidly than we
thought was possible. A number of Ohio birding events are firmly established
or well developed, and the birding trails and festival movement is now
self-sustaining. We send many thanks to Joe Jennings (BT&F Program
Coordinator), whose last day with Audubon Ohio was November 21. Please
forward any questions regarding Birding Trails and Festivals to
ohio@xxxxxxxxxxxx
3. WINTER ON THE WILDS-an Important Bird Area
Bring the family and spend a day at the Wilds having fun in the winter sun!
Shop at the Wilds unique gift market, enjoy a bite to eat at the Overlook
Cafe, enjoy the Johnson Visitor Center, watch wildlife, and explore nearly
10,000 acres of the Wilds with naturalist Al Parker.
Jan 11, 2003 - WinterHawk - Watching Birds of Prey
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Free for members of the Wilds, non-members: $3 per person.
To register or for more information, call toll-free at 866-444-WILDS, or
Email: aparker@xxxxxxxxxxxx or visit www.thewilds.org
Join in the fascination of watching wintering hawks and owls in a spot that
is rapidly becoming known as one of the best in the state. The Wilds-an
Audubon Important Bird Area in Muskingum County-was highlighted in the
December issue of Audubon magazine and is home to many types of raptors in
the wintertime. The open grasslands attract short-eared owls, harriers,
rough-legged and red-tailed hawks, and even golden eagles. We never know
what we will see, but the birds are always sure to please. Bring along
binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them and join in the search.
4. NAS Educational Farm Symposium
National Audubon Society's Educational Farm Symposium
January 30 - February 1, 2003
Aullwood Audubon Center & Farm
Dayton, Ohio
The symposium is designed for directors, educators, or farmers who operate
educational farms. This symposium will provide an opportunity to share with
colleagues, celebrate our successes, learn from our failures, recognize and
prepare for challenges ahead, network, mentor, and renew our vision.
Participants learn and recharge through workshops, facilitated discussion,
open space sessions, and ongoing exchanges with their peers.
For more information, contact Larry Brown at (937) 890-7360 or email at
lbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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43215.
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