September 2009
E-Newsletter

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Inside this edition:
Issue Selection
Annual Meeting
Emerging Issues
Franken on Climate
Volunteer
Calendar
Audubon in the News
Chapter Happenings

Photography generously provided by:
Rebecca Field: great blue heron, cedar waxwing, belted kingfisher, sandhill crane, ruby-throated hummingbird;
Jim Williams: wilson's warbler, common loon on nest.

From the Policy Director…

For those of us working in public policy, seasons feel reversed. September is springtime. Now is the season when all the ideas sprout and coalitions bud. Hope springs eternal as legislative proposals take their first innocent steps forward. 

At Audubon, we accomplished a lot last year and it’s perhaps time to dust off a few priorities that have been neglected or perhaps consider some new ways of promoting bird conservation. Throughout the next two months, state chapters and individual members will be encouraged to join the dialogue about what the most important bird conservation priorities are and which issues Audubon is most capable of pursuing successfully. In November, I hope to see a big crowd for the Annual Meeting where we’ll learn more about bird conservation issues and determine the final 2010 issues and strategies.

John Curry
Policy Director

Audubon’s Issue Selection Process

By the end of September Audubon Minnesota will compile a list of known and/or foreseeable issues coming in 2010. The list will be posted on our website and mailed to members and chapters. Last year's unfinished agenda is a good place to start. Audubon members focused their work on Clean Water Legacy, Wildlife Funding, Off-Highway Vehicles and Reducing Carbon Emissions. Progress was made on each of these, but it is likely that Audubon members will again be passionate about these or related issues. 

Based on the compiled issues list, Audubon members will be asked to rank their priorities and send them back via the internet or traditional mail. Each chapter is encouraged to discuss these items at their October meeting. Policy Director Curry will be available for any chapter when this discussion occurs.

Based on the members’ rankings, Audubon will make a recommendation at the Annual Meeting for approval. We expect the process to go smoothly, but any need to address unresolved issues ultimately falls to the Board of Directors after being vetted by the Environmental Issues Committee. By the beginning of the 2010 Legislative Session in February, Audubon will have 2-4 Priority Issues and a strategic work plan ready to go.

Audubon Minnesota Annual Meeting

On Saturday, November 14th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm all Audubon Minnesota members are invited to come to the Annual Meeting. It will be held at the new Wilder Center in St. Paul (map here) and the parking is free. In addition to selecting our 2010 Issue Priorities, members will get updates from each of the Audubon Chapters, network with one another and hear about exciting new bird conservation work. Cost will be $15 to cover a great lunch and other costs. Meeting details will be on our website soon.

Emerging Issues

The Legacy funding has changed everything. Instead of dreaming about future, distant projects, Audubon is hearing about projects in the here and now. With limited capacity, Audubon will have to determine which of those projects to prioritize. We’re hearing about a comprehensive statewide prairie restoration strategy, new Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs), a “goat prairie” restoration project in the southeast blufflands area and a habitat restoration project at the T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary adjacent to the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. 

In addition to conservation projects new policies are being promoted as well. The Raptor Center has compelling new research on the link between bird poisoning and lead fragments from bullets. A stakeholder group has been working to revise the state’s solid waste strategies. And, finally, a new effort to establish a statewide system of forest monitors is receiving considerable attention.

Senator Franken on Climate and Renewable Energy     

On September 3rd, Senator Franken met with a small group, including several Audubon leaders, to discuss environmental issues. He was very direct in his support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act. He shared his support for a strong renewable energy standard and listened with great respect to arguments for even more ambitious caps on carbon emissions. Senator Franken has been considered a friend on this bill, but his direct and enthusiastic confirmation of that support is a great sign that things are going well in the U.S. Senate. Senator Franken is accepting kudos if you’re so inclined. Senator Al Franken, 651-221-1016

And to keep things light, you’ll enjoy clicking here to see Senator Franken’s bizarre talent.

We expect action on the bill this fall, as soon as the Capitol finishes its health care work.

Volunteer for a Clean Planet

Every Tuesday between now and this fall’s vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, Audubon will be helping to coordinate a volunteer phone bank to encourage our supporters to call Senator Franken and Senator Klobuchar. By donating 2.5 hours of your time (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm) on any Tuesday, you can help pass this generation’s most important initiative for bird conservation. And get this: you can join us at the Minneapolis phone bank, or you can call from your home by hooking up to our web based software. Pretty slick, eh? Call 651-739-9332 or email John Curry to be a part this important effort.

First Annual Henderson Hummingbird Festival Attracts Hummers and People!

The First Annual Henderson Hummingbird Festival co-hosted by Audubon Minnesota was held the last weekend of August with an estimated 750-800 people attending. There were folks from at least 71 towns around Minnesota as well as people from 5 states represented. This very successful event was 9 months in the planning and involved dozens of Henderson residents who helped make it a success. The Henderson community is really thrilled with the event and has already begun planning for next year.

Calendar

Audubon Minnesota and Affiliate Group Calendars

September 23, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Autumn Networking Event, Forum of Women in the Environmental Field

September 24, 25: MN Land Conservation and Clean Water Summit, Landscape Arboretum

September 26, 9:00 am: Canoe the Mississippi, Twin Cities

September 29, 8:30 am and 2:00 pm: Growing a Clean Energy Economy, Bemidji State University

October 9: Orders due: Audubon Minnesota’s Fall Bird Seed Sale

October 10, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Lily Lake Native Planting, Stillwater

October 10, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Bruce Vento Sanctuary Open House, St. Paul

October 17, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Grey Cloud Island Restoration Event

October 24: Pick up date for Audubon Minnesota’s Fall Bird Seed Sale

November 14, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm: Audubon Minnesota’s Annual Meeting

Conservation Partners Grant Program Workshops

Sept. 28, DNR Regional Headquarters, 1201 E Highway 2, Grand Rapids

Sept. 29, DNR Area Office, 1509 1st Ave N, Fergus Falls

Sept. 30, DNR Area Office, 246 125th Ave NE, Thief River Falls

Chapter Happenings

Audubon Center of the Northwoods

• September 26, 9:00 am – 4 pm: 2009 Open House and Renewable Trail Run
• September 26, 6:00 pm: Dinner on the Lake, with Bryan and Doug Wood in Concert
• October 2-4: Women’s Wellness and Adventure Weekend
• October 17, 6:00 pm: Dinner on the Lake

Agassiz Audubon Society

Austin Audubon Society
Contact: Peter Mattson, 507-567-2570

• September 26: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm: Field Trip to Audubon Center of the Northwoods
• October 20: Costa Rica Birding
• October 30: Buckthorn pull at the Hormel Nature Center

Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis

• October 6, 7:00 pm: Legislators discuss upcoming issues, Mayflower Church

Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter

• September 24, 7:00 pm: Birding Bhutan by Dave Cahlandar, Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Bloomington
• October 22, 7:00 pm: Birding Kazakhstan by Sharon Stiteler, Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Bloomington

Field Trips

• September 19, 2009 at 4:00 pm: Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, MN Valley NWR, Craig Mandel - 952-546-3407
• September 21, 2009 at 7:00 am: Ramsey County Birding Day, Craig Mandel - 952-546-3407
• September 26, 2009 at 9:00 am: Anderson Lakes Park, Eden Prairie, 9639 Anderson Lakes Pkwy, Brad Abendroth – 612-961-8076
• September 26, 2009 at 4:00 pm: Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, MN Valley NWR, Craig Mandel - 952-546-3407. See September 5
• September 27, 2009 at 8:00 am: Rapids Lake Unit, MN Valley NWR, 15865 Carver Highlands Drive, Carver, George Skinner & Anne Hanley – 952-936-0811
• October 3, 2009 at 4:00 pm: Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, Craig Mandel 952-546-3407
• October 9-11, 2009 from Friday evening through Sunday: Northwestern Minnesota Birds - Based in Fergus Falls, Craig Mandel - 952-546-3407
• October 17, 2009 at 4:00 pm: Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, Craig Mandel - 952-546-3407

St. Paul Audubon Society

• September 26, 8:30 am: Field Trip Fall Migrants at Lake Elmo Regional Park

Wild River Audubon Society

• October 13, 7:00 pm: October Meeting “Dragonflies,” Curt Mead, Chisago Lakes Area Library

Zumbro Valley Audubon Society

• September 22, 7:00 pm: September Meeting “Preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer,” Angela Gupta, Quarry Hill Nature Center
• September 19, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm: Prairie Seed Collecting, Weaver Dunes
• September 27, 1:30 pm: Prairie Seed Collection, Chester Woods Park Station
• October 3, 9:00 am: Red Tail Hawk Bird Watching Tour, led by Terry and Joyce Grier, Quarry Hill Nature Center
• October 4, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm: Prairie Seed Collecting, Weaver Dunes
• October 7, 1:30 pm: Prairie Seed Collection, Chester Woods Park Station
• October 18, 1:30 pm: Prairie Seed Collection, Chester Woods Park Station
• October 24, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm: Prairie Seed Collecting, Weaver Dunes

Audubon in the News

Youth hunt gets beginners off to an early start
Pioneer Press - Chris Niskanen - ‎Sep 19, 2009‎
AUDUBON, Minn. — The story goes that John J. Audubon's niece visited this part of Minnesota in 1871 and was so impressed with its abundance of waterfowl and ...

Bird Watching in Minneapolis/St. Paul
About - Cities & Towns - ‎Sep 18, 2009‎
Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter, the most active birding organization in the Twin Cities, also organizes trips to the North Shore, as well as birding ...

Mississippi Audubon Society
Bemidji Pioneer - ‎Sep 14, 2009‎
Sue Trnka, Northwest Minnesota Field Organizer for the Minnesota Environmental Partnership will speak at 7 pm Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Cabin Coffee House ...

The Unique Chimney Swifts
KARE 11 – Sep 11, 2009

Help Audubon count chimney swifts, a declining species
DL-Online - ‎Sep 9, 2009‎
Volunteers throughout Minnesota are needed to participate in the First Annual Audubon Minnesota Chimney Swift Sit for about an hour on any evening on Sept. ...

Whitey remains far up north
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Jim Williams - ‎Sep 7, 2009‎
The project is a joint effort of the Minnesota DNR non-game division, the Wisconsin DNR, the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge, and Audubon ...

Celebrating hummingbirds in Henderson
Mankato Free Press - Tim Krohn - ‎Aug 30, 2009‎
Mark Peterson, executive director of Audubon Minnesota, was one of the experts on hand to give presentations and answer visitors' questions.

The hummingbirds' last hurrah: Road trip to Henderson
Examiner.com - ‎Aug 26, 2009‎
The first annual Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah, created by the Chamber of Commerce and Audubon Minnesota, takes place the weekend of August 28-30.

There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.
-- Robert Lynd

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