[wisb] Re: Off-topic: Milw. County audit of parks
- From: Brian Hansen <rawshooter@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: betsyacorn@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 17:31:40 -0600
Good post Betsy! I don't know if it is off topic at all considering so many
people on this list enjoy birding and photographing in the same Milwaukee
County parks that are in jeopardy and referenced in this article. I also
think everyone knows how vital these areas are to both migrating and
resident species. Fingers can be pointed in any political direction but
that won't help or fix anything. With budgets where they are and only
getting worse, the only way to help is by taking matters into our own
hands. I think I know what Betsy will say if backchanneled. I would like
to add what I feel can help the parks and the birds for that matter the
most. For what it is worth this is from someone that is seeing this first
hand and on a daily basis as well. Believe me when I say it is bad now and
only going to get worse.
For those concerned the main way to help if you feel the need is to consider
becoming a member, volunteering or donating to one of the many private
citizen "friends" groups that work with your local parks department to help
maintain and protect these important areas. In the group that I have been
involved with for a number of years, I have seen the county cut our
particular park's budget by nearly 80%. There used to be plenty of workers
assigned to maintain it and now you are lucky to see anyone around other
than the occasional park worker on a mower. I know for a fact without our
group being involved our park would be in shambles. With the help of
membership sales, donations, our yearly silent auction/wine tasting and
fantastic volunteers we have taken on and completed many projects large and
small that would have never been considered by the Milwaukee County Parks
Dept. in their current budget situation. Nearly all of these projects
relate to protecting and restoring the natural environments in the park. In
fact most relate directly to birds. Our smaller frequent projects include
removal of invasive species such as Burdock, planting native flowers and
fruit bearing shrubs and trees, adding prairie type areas, installing more
feeders and keeping them clean and full, putting up nest boxes and
monitoring, raising awareness through seasonal weekly bird walks and various
lectures. Our larger projects have included cleaning up and restoring
complete ravines, adding natural type waterfalls and pooling areas and
restoring bridges and trails that help people move through the natural areas
with being too disruptive.
Here is a list of Friends groups of Milwaukee County Parks
http://www.parkpeoplemke.org/parkpartners/friends_groups/list_of_friends_groups
The obvious point being is if you been thinking about getting involved now
is great time to act. I also can't stress enough that getting involved
doesn't necessarily mean donating money. Your time is just as valuable and
sometimes more so.
Brian Hansen
Milwaukee
On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 3:17 PM, <betsyacorn@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> I don't intend this to be a firebrand politicized argument, but I thought
> this would be very important reading for those of us in the birding
> community here and around the state who recognize the value that dedicated
> open
> space plays in maintaining the habitat in what remains of the Milwaukee
> area
> flyways. I am particularly worried when I read the recommendation that
> parkland be let go of here. An article from today's Journal Sentinel is
> below.
>
> http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/80633172.html
>
>
> As I spend a solid amount of time birding the local parkland along the
> Lake Michigan shoreline, and see that a healthy and well-wooded lakefront
> it
> is critical particularly on fallout days, I am moved to act.
> I won't drag this out for the list, but if anyone would like to know what
> actions are being taken to protect county parklands here, please
> backchannel me and I will be happy to explain.
>
> Betsy Abert, So. Milwaukee, SE Milw. Co.
>
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