Brad, most excellent wonderings! I think a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp would make a great stocking stuffer! I also like the idea of posting a calendar of volunteer opportunities on the MOU web site. I know that MOU has recently leased land in the interest of quality birding. How does it feel about becoming a landowner and steward?
Kelly Larson Bemidji, MN Brad Bolduan wrote: > Although I was burned out on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker hype for a while, I > thought I should pass along the following link which I saw posted on the > Iowa List Serve. > > http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/12/13/ivorybilled.woodpecker.reut/index > .html > > The article discusses the contributions hunters have made in habitat > protection and monitoring with regard to the recent rediscovery of the > Ivory-Billed Woodpecker. I personally believe that this is an important > message and I believe the article is well written - it may be worth a look. > The person posting to the Iowa list emphasized that birders, as well, can > buy migratory waterfowl stamps (duck stamps) and that 98% of the revenue > raised through these purchases goes toward habitat acquisition. > > The most recent issue of North American Birds also has a section dedicated > to Ivory-Billed Woodpecker monitoring and potential for rediscovery in the > Southeastern US which I found interesting. It, also, may be worth reading > if you can find a copy. > > Thinking about birders (MOU specifically) and habitat conservation....and > just thinking off the top of my head... I know some birders say they are > reluctant to buy waterfowl stamps, but we all seem to believe conservation > is important... Has the MOU ever considered the possibility fund-raising > for targeted habitat "acquisitions" (in conjunction with TNC, DNR, or > USFWS)? With the exception of Hawk Ridge I have never heard the possibility > discussed, although the need for birders to be involved in conservation has > often been discussed on this list. I am thinking of an initative similiar > to the fund raising attempts for Bolviar Flats a few years ago. > > Perhaps if TNC, USFWS, or DNR has a willing landowner near Felton Prairie, > Red Rock Prairie, Salt Lake or near selected areas through-out the state... > there could be an organized structure for raising money from the birding > community (after all 36% of the state's population has been labeled as "Bird > Watchers"). Perhaps the birding community would be more willing to > contribute if they knew where their habitat dollars would be spent. Just a > thought.... > > If anyone is still reading, perhaps the MOU could take an active role in > finding volunteers for monitoring or habitat improvement projects such as > buckthorn removal. Williams Nature Park (home of the often watched Kentucky > Warblers) is one spot that is becoming overgrown with exotic species > (buckthorn). Perhaps the MOU could provide a method of organizing "habitat > crews" for such projects (assuming that the landowner has a similiar > interest in preserving the habitat). TNC does something similiar for > habitat improvement projects on their preserves. Perhaps it could be as > simple as a volunteer opportunity posting to this list, a listing of > upcoming habitat projects on the MOU website, or an annual supplement to the > newsletter similiar to the ABA's "Volunteer Opportunities". I wonder how > much interest there might be for such a initative. (I also wonder if the > buckthorn at Williams could ever be eliminated by physical or chemical > means) > > These activities may well be beyond the current abilities or interests of > the MOU, but the article got me thinking about the issues, possibilities, > and ... > > Thank you for your patience, > > Brad Bolduan > Windom, MN > > _______________________________________________ > mou-net mailing list > mou-...@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net -- We moved. We changed our name. Come visit us in Bemidji, Minnesota. (only 92 miles from Canada!) Northern Flights 208 3rd Street NW Bemidji MN 56601 Phone: 218-444-3022 We have a new web page... http://www.northern-flights.com