[Birdtalk] Ogden Nature Center Board Meeting Tonight - Now Open to MEMBERS and MEDIA

[Jeff Bilsky]

I just received word that the Ogden Nature Center Board meeting scheduled
for tonight is now OPEN to members and to the media. It begins at 5:30 pm
and usually they run for a couple of hours. Directions are on the left hand
side of their home page: http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/

A great opportunity to show your support for the Bird Rehab program if you
are willing and able.

Thank you.


On Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 4:28 PM, DaLyn Erickson <
wildlife at ogdennaturecenter.org> wrote:

>  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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>



-- 
Jeff Bilsky
Salt Lake City
jbilsky at gmail.com
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