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

[MarJean Muhlestein]

DaLyn,
You have said exactly what I feel, and know from my experience, and one who has sent many people and birds your way, that we must continue to promote, donate and defend this service. While working at the Wild Bird Center we would receive many calls several times a week concerning what to do with injured birds. I sure hope we can get behind this wonderful opportunity to help.

Thanks,
MarJean
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: DaLyn Erickson<mailto:wildlife at ogdennaturecenter.org> 
  To: Birdtalk at utahbirds.org<mailto:Birdtalk at utahbirds.org> 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Fwd: Salt Lake Tribune: Nature centermay stopcaringfor injure...


  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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