[Birdtalk] Fwd: Salt Lake Tribune: Nature center may stopcaringfor injure...

[DaLyn Erickson]

I apologize to the group for somewhat of a soapbox post but their seems to
be some with a misconception about what would be lost with the loss of the
Ogden Nature Center Bird Rehab Program.  I would like to offer these
thoughts and opinions.

 

The bird rehabilitation center brings in thousands of people into the Ogden
Nature Center, most are first time visitors. These people buy memberships,
attend events and community programs, donate funds, materials, and volunteer
time which help support the Nature Center as a whole. 

 

It also provides a volunteer opportunity to hundreds of volunteers. Several
of them have even taken Dr. Cavitt's classes because they found an injured
bird and that sparked an interest so they volunteered and decided to
continue their education. They learn about animal husbandry, diets of native
species, behaviors of native species, avian anatomy, habitats, environmental
impacts, and much more, including life skills (responsibility, patience,
public communication skills, phone skills, math..............????). All of
these people learning and talking does have an environmental impact. One of
our volunteers started at age 15 and is now in attending Colorado State to
become a veterinarian.  We have had volunteers that have been nature lovers
and gardeners since childhood who until volunteering with the rehab program
have never really saw the light (the impact of fertilizers, herbicides,
pesticides on their small little eco-systems...their yards) and now allow a
few weeds and bugs in their yard and by withholding these chemicals and have
noticed the positive change with the return of aquatic life and amphibians
and have watched the birds removing "pests" from lawns and vegetation.

 

When an injured bird is found and brought into the Ogden Nature Center, it
is often accompanied by 3-5 people. At that time we have the opportunity to
educate them about the bird. What kind of bird is it? What does it eat?
Where does it normally live? The list of questions go on and on. We are able
to educate them as to their impacts and what they can do to limit them.
People are incredibly receptive to the information being given because they
care about the bird they just found and want to ensure no others fall into
the same situation.  We also use that opportunity to enlighten them on the
Nature Center's other treasures; the 152 acres, walking trails, ponds,
wildlife, our resident animals, family picnic opportunities right in the
heart of Ogden without having to travel for miles to "get away" and of
course all the on-going community programs--most state, "I never knew this
place existed". 

 

Will we save a species?  Likely not.  But what we do provide is hope to the
community and place to relieve the huge stress of "what to do" with this
poor helpless, suffering animal in their hands and the huge opportunity to
educate, educate, educate in unlimited directions with unlimited
possibilities to its positive effects on the communities of Northern Utah
and beyond.

 

The combination of these things does have an environmental impact and in my
opinion is priceless.  

 

Thanks,

DaLyn

 

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